Been on these forums for many years...first time ragging in the Bear Pit- but I'm pissed, and I know there's a lot of current and former US military that might care about who to support with their business- or not.
My son's a USAF pilot currently stationed in the midwest, just came home to visit in FL for a couple of weeks on leave.
In addition to all his other modern rifles, he's building a nice milsurp collection. We always do some shooting and fishing when he gets back home, and he had an eye for a WWII Mosin PU sniper and bought a nice one from an online dealer last week before leaving- and had it shipped to a local Shoot Straight here as he'd called them in advance to confirm they accepted transfers.
Picked him up at the airport last night, and this afternoon we drove down to pick up his rifle. Gave them his military ID and his new temporary DL as he just bought a home there and surrendered his FL DL- the temp DL is paper- but issued by the state, with photo, and is 100% legal, government-issued ID.
"Nope, sorry- can't do the transfer". We can't accept this temporary driver's license".
Now, I just surrendered my 07 FFL last month after 8 years due to moving and not having a new premises yet. Didn't do many transfers as a smith, but I know the rules of the game.
I said "What's the problem? His military ID is perfectly acceptable."
"We can't photocopy his military ID, and we can't accept his temporary DL"
Now, I'm trying to keep a cool head, which wasn't getting any easier. But knowing that an FFL can refuse to do a transfer for ANY reason- including if he doesn't like your fucking haircut- I tried to be diplomatic.
"His military ID is all he needs- and ATF does not require that you (illegally) make a copy. His DL is state issued, and a legal photo ID- even though he ONLY needs his military ID for compliance. These are YOUR requirements- and you can make any fucking rules you want- but you should have disclosed to him that your requirements for doing a transfer, exceed those which are legally required".
The dickhead manager pulled out a 4473 and gave me some bullshit about the forms changing (which they just did), but I pointed to the ID requirements and asked him "What's changed? Says in black and white that military ID is acceptable!" At which point he starts hemming and hawing with bullshit...
What's ironic is that he'd gone with some buddies to a NASCAR race in a neighboring state before flying home, stopped in a Bass Pro Shops and they happened to have milsurps on the rack (go figure..) and bought a nice Swedish Mauser using the same ID's that Shoot Straight refused to accept.
Figured I wasn't getting anywhere with him, and left to cool off. After the 20 minute drive home to cool down, I called back.
"Listen, I know you guys can do whatever the fuck you want, so screaming and yelling isn't going to be productive. This is how you treat those who serve our country? Are you kidding me? Can I speak with ownership?"
"Nope. It's our policy, and they won't make an exception".
So I call another FFL closer to me, less than 10 miles from Shoot Straight. Explained the sitch. "Yeah, no problem. I'll accept that ID".
Called Shoot Straight back. "It'll be $50 PLUS the shipping costs to send it to the other FFL".
No "Sorry we didn't disclose", No "Sorry about the inconvenience- we'll waive our $50 fee but he'll need to pay just the actual shipping costs".
FUCK SHOOT STRAIGHT- ALL THEIR FLORIDA LOCATIONS. I used to frequent their Tampa range on occasion- I won't set foot in their stores forevermore if this is how they treat our military.
Rant over. Act accordingly.
