Have to give SSN and Driver license number for ammo

[huntnelk]

Maybe this has been brought up already and i missed it but it was new to me. My old man ordered some ammo from Cabelas for his 25-06. Couple boxes of 100 grain and 1 box of 120 grain. Before they would sell him the 120's they said he had to give his Social Security and Drivers license numbers. When he asked why they said it was required by the feds, said he could order all the ammo he wanted without giving it as long as it was under 100 grain bullets. Anyone else hear about this?

[Frosty]

Nope

[JLawson]

A quick check of MidwayUSA and Cabela's websites listed no such Federal restriction.  I guess it could be a state, county, or city law.  Then again, it could just be uninformed sales staff.  I once heard a clerk tell a customer they couldn't buy a gun after 6pm because the FBI shuts down NICS every night.

[gunman42782]

A quick check of MidwayUSA and Cabela's websites listed no such Federal restriction.  I guess it could be a state, county, or city law.  Then again, it could just be uninformed sales staff.  I once heard a clerk tell a customer they couldn't buy a gun after 6pm because the FBI shuts down NICS every night.


He probably just wanted to go home!!  We close at 6 and nothing worse than thinking you are about to go home on time when someone walks into the shop at 3 minutes till 6 wanting a gun.  I know what you are gonna say, maybe the only time he could get there, blah, blah, blah.  But I have been there 10 hours by that time, and don't get paid one red copper extra for staying over.  So, yeah, I do kinda cop an attitude in these cases. 

[billt]

I guess it could be a state, county, or city law.

Very possible. Back in the early 70's in Illinois, you had to produce your Illinois F.O.I.D. card, and give your address if it had changed from what was on the card to buy any ammunition, even .22's. The dealer had a huge book he would enter it into by handwriting in all the information. It was time consuming, expensive, and ridiculous. Not a single criminal charge was ever brought to court because of it.

Then, in what I believe was the late 70's or early 80's, they did away with all of it because of the "Paperwork Reduction Act", or some such. This legislative foolishness ranks right up there with "Ballistic Fingerprinting". The only "advantage" to that is it gives me another case to reload.

[Sponsor]

[jaybet]

I just had to furnish my NJ FID card to Midway to purchase some Hornady XTP BULLETS...not even loaded ammo.
I guess they're getting to be more cautious.
There was very little info about it on the website and I had to actually chat with a rep to find out how to take care of it.

[BBJohnnyT]

Complete BS on whomever said an SSN was required by the Feds.  Federal agencies have strict guidelines on when and how an SSN can be requested.  And when they do, they must provide Privacy Act information on how your SSN will be used and how long it will be kept.  Private companies have no such restrictions.  They can request it for any reason, but you have the right to refuse and shop elsewhere.  So, if Cabelas was demanding it, it is their own policy, either corporate or local.  But it's not because it is "required by the Feds".  If so, they would then be required to provide each customer with a full Privacy Act disclosure notice.

Actually, this sounds very fishy, like a Cabelas employee up to no good.

[WatchManUSA]

An SSN isn't required on a 4473. It clearly states - Optional.

[blackwolfe]

I'm not sure, but I thought the use of a SSN for anything other than official employment, financial, or government business was actually forbidden by law.  I don't even list it on the 4473 and have never had a problem with the NICS check.  Colleges and othere places use to use the SSN as a student or ID number, but I don't think they do that anymore.  Years ago, it was required by the feds that ammo sales be logged, but that went out a long time ago.

I've bought ammo mail order and online before, and have had to provide ID or sign a statement verifying my age and that I'm not a prohibited person before.  

I just spoke to Cabelas and unless you are from IL where you need to have a FOID Card and ID there are no restrictions for MI residents.  They do not require a SSN.

[WatchManUSA]

Can you say, "identity theft?"