something weird happened at Wal-Mart

[HNT5]

I went to my local wally world in search of .22 LR ammo. Seems to be in short supply of late. Well I luck out and they had 6 boxes of the 550 round bulk pack. So I'm at the check out counter and the cashier runs the first box (I grabbed 3) across the scanner and it makes the beep sound, you know and it flashes that message across the screen about the purchasers age. I was expecting her to ask my birth date to plug in the computer. But instead she asks me this "Is this ammo for a handgun or rifle?" I was somewhat caught of guard, and said "No it's for a rifle, yea I own a rifle" I do own a rifle and no .22 cal handgun. She then goes on to say that if it were for a handgun, she'd have to report it!? Report it to the Government is what she said. Then she mentioned something in casual conversation as she scanned the other boxes of shells and groceries, "you know, all the requirements we have to report stuff" Never had that happen before to me at any store. Has anything like that happened to anyone here? I wonder what would have happened had I said it's for a pistol?  Swear this really happened. Totally suprised me. Big Brother watching us through the computerised cash registers at Wal-Mart?
Nathan

[1shotwander]

Why report to the goverment? I could understand the rifle or handgun part but report to the government?? I just got some 30-30 and 30-06 at my local wally world today, and he looked at me as I was getting my licence out and he said " no need, I already know that you are over 18".. Never had what you said happen to me... Were did you pay for this? at the front with the rest of the stuff or at the hunting dept.?

[airgunandy]

I don't know about the "report to the government" part, but if the ammo is for a handgun I think you have to be 21 to purchase. My wife works in the sporting goods department at Wal-Mart. I'll have to try and remember to ask her.

[RCnMo]

Happened last week to my dad when he purchased some .22 mag. He laughed at the girl and told her he would shoot it out of a rifle if it would make her happy.

[Geoff]

This happens every time at my local WM. They not only make sure you are 21, they limit you to 5 boxes. (IF they have any in stock). I don't know who they report to, but I WAS told it is tracked. Maybe by your debit or CC?

[geewhiz380]

thats crazy but i truly believe that either her or the surpervisor is trying to score brownie points. i would believe that remark coming from nyc but then again in nyc they dont sell not even bbs .u should of asked the surpervisor what was that all about ,because thats something pretty serious coming from a cashier with no authority.

[airgunandy]

Because of ammo shortages around the country Wal-Mart is limited on how much they can get into their stores, so they have to limit what they sell.
My wife had a customer that wanted 9mm ammo all the time. He figured out when the stuff was due in and would call and ask if they had any. If they did he would come in and buy it all. One day while he was making a purchase someone else came in looking for 9mm. He accused my wife of playing favorites and saving the ammo back for the first guy. Fortunately the first guy was nice enough to let the second guy have some. It was shortly after that the limits were imposed.
I wish my wife could hold stuff back for people. They are always out of the .357 and .22 stuff I want!

[airgunandy]

I finally checked with my wife about reporting ammo sales to the government.
She said they are not required to report anything to the government. They have to ask about rifle or handgun so they can check age (18 or 21) but that is all.  
This is at least how it is in North Carolina. There may be some other states or even cities that have some requirements, but the feds don't require any reporting.