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Wal-Mart Sets New Policy on Background Checks for Gun Sales That Exceeds Federal Law
Associated Press ^
| Jul 3, 2002
| Brian Skoloff
Posted on 07/03/2002 2:50:06 PM PDT by I_Publius
Jul 3, 2002
Wal-Mart Sets New Policy on Background Checks for Gun Sales That Exceeds Federal Law
By Brian Skoloff
Associated Press Writer
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Wal-Mart, the nation's biggest gun seller, is strengthening its policy on background checks of firearms buyers beyond the requirements of federal law.
The retail giant directed its stores to hold up sales in which the time limit for a background check had expired because of concern criminals could still get guns, spokeswoman Jessica Moser Eldred said.
Potential gun buyers nationwide undergo a background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. The dealer can sell a gun, though, if the check isn't completed within three business days.
Managers at Wal-Mart's 2,600 American stores must wait until the check is made, no matter how long it takes, before selling a gun, according to the memo signed by company executives. The memo was dated May 31 and the policy is now in effect.
The policy applies only to rifles and shotguns, since Wal-Mart does not sell handguns.
"We wanted to make sure we were doing our part to keep guns out of the hands of those who should not be getting them," Eldred said.
Law enforcement officials are notified if an ineligible buyer gets a gun because the time limit expired, said Gary Wick, assistant operations manager for the national background-check system.
Policies such as Wal-Mart's can help prevent potentially dangerous situations, he said, especially when law officers try to retrieve the gun.
"Then it becomes an officer safety issue, because a lot of people will get upset when an officer comes after a gun they have bought," Wick said.
The National Rifle Association said it is considering its response to Wal-Mart's policy. The group disagrees with the policy "in the sense that it penalizes law abiding citizens," said spokesman Andrew Arulanandam.
AP-ES-07-03-02 1726EDT
This story can be found at: http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGA5IP3Q73D.html
TOPICS: Breaking News; Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Extended News; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: boycott; gunrights; nra; secondamendment; walmart
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To: robertpaulsen
I share your passion for the 2nd Amendment. I just think we need to play this one smart. Walmart is a friend to conservatives in general and I don't want to mess that up. Like someone else said, this is very possibly more about insurance premiums than anything else.
To: EBUCK
Who'd go shopping for a quality firearm at Wal-Mart anyways?
I think it would be unwise to make too much of this. Agreed! They could just as easily said no more firearm sales like Sports Authority did, instead, they chose the "better safe than sorry" route. Considering all the bogus lawsuits being filed against the firearms industry by municipalities, they are obviously trying to cover their butts and for that I can not blame them. At least they are still selling firearms........
I doubt you'll find many storefront dealers that will sell you a gun if your background check doesn't come back approved in the required 3 days. Too much potential liability, or at least percieved liability.
44
posted on
07/03/2002 5:42:23 PM PDT
by
El Gato
To: I_Publius
WalMart is good for DVD's and household goods,etc.Their gun prices and selection are no big deal.So why even bother?I have found local gun dealers here who outdo WalMart with ease.Actually,where I live (Rhode Island) there is a 7 day waiting period,so the question is moot for us.
To: archy
What is Wal-Mart doing to ensure that illegal aliens are not employed at . . . their stores?In Houston, nothing. One employee couldn't even get out the phrase "Sorry, I don't speak English."
46
posted on
07/03/2002 6:02:18 PM PDT
by
Flyer
To: I_Publius
GUN FACT: Over a 30 year period, the number of firearmss increased almost 300 percent and the population increased 34 percent-even while the number of fatal gun accidents decreased roughly 70 percent.
47
posted on
07/03/2002 6:44:58 PM PDT
by
mn_b_one
To: DCBryan1
To: Gabz
I`m a life member of the NRA and I own some WalMart stock.They made the right call.We`ll be able to keep the gun grabbers away just as long as the idiots that shouldn`t have guns , can`t get them. And then there are the lawyers, GRRRR
49
posted on
07/03/2002 7:23:22 PM PDT
by
bybybill
To: Viva Le Dissention
What causes you to spend half your time in Lexington, VA?
To: patton
"What sort of amatuer schmuck would buy a guy at walmart?" Here in Burlington, North Carolina, Wal-Mart's gun selling is miniscule. They just have poor selection.
Only thing you get a good deal on gun-wise at local Wal-Mart is some ammo. They're real good on Winchester XPert .22 ammo at discount prices.
But - for serious gun buying - go to the Gun Room in Mebane or to Burlington Pawnbrokers downtown. Either one has dozens of times Wal-Mart's inventory and selection of guns.
As for boycotts, around here Wal-Mart appears increasingly just a store for illegal aliens anyway.
Scandals of antigun politicians - from coast to coast!
To: Viva Le Dissention
Hummm? wonder if K Mart felt the same way, when they quit selling guns outright?????????????, where is their stock at today?????
To: I_Publius
This is just a corporation trying to protect itself from the lawyers. If some yahoo were to purchase a firearm because the 3 day period expired without his background check coming in, then kill someone with said firearm, and it was later shown that the background check eventually came back negative, you can bet some enterprising lawyer would come up with the idea to sue Walmart.
If enough people boycott Walmart over this, don't be surprised if the end result is that Walmart simply stops all firearms sales.
53
posted on
07/03/2002 8:54:00 PM PDT
by
Scutter
To: I_Publius
"We wanted to make sure we were doing our part to keep guns out of the hands of those who should not be getting them,"
Your customers?
Everything I've bought in Wal-Mart is made in China.
To: I_Publius
I already don't shop at Chinese Slave Mart, but I would support a full boycott for any reason.
To: EBUCK
LOL!
He thinks we're just going to roll over and take it tits up?
Looks like Wal-Mart has made a big mistake here once enough gun buyers figure it out. Their gun sales are gonna drop.
And if every Freeper boycotted them, I guarantee you they'd change their tune (maybe a little less Chinese I guess).
What's a Wal-Mart have that you can't get anywhere else anyway?
Especially if you have the internet.
Pass 'em over Freepers.
To: DCBryan1
LOL!
Maybe retailers should use the complaint as moto.
To: I_Publius
Should read:
Wal-Mart, formerly the nation's biggest gun seller, is strengthening its policy on background checks of firearms buyers beyond the requirements of federal law.
To: BlessingInDisguise
Target?
To: patton
What are you talking about...you can get anything there. If they don't have it they'll order it for you. I'm not sure why they are doing this, but I have cousin that sells weapons at Wal-mart and he says that on two seperate occasions he sold a rifle in San Angelo, Tx and a handgun in Midland, TX (back in the day)and the dopes committed suicide in the parking lot. I wonder how many times this has happened?
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