Does the law forbid the return of store-bought gun

February 21, 2009 16:01

Sorry for the idiot question from a newbie (and an accidental cross-post), but... I went to Dick's and bought a .22 for plinking and target practice. A few days later, I bought a cheap Savage 62 online here. I never opened the box from Dick's, so I went to take it back. They told me guns are not returnable, by Federal law.

Is this true? Mind you, there are no signs that guns can't be returned, and they never told me they're not returnable, and I never heard this before, but I never had occasion to try to return one before. I do see remarks about people not liking guns and returning them, but maybe this law is new.

Or are the people at Dicks just being... difficult?

Thanks for the responses,
Zumkopf
Morrisville, PA

Comments

13 comments

Bill DeShivs

February 21, 2009 16:07
There is no federal law against returning guns.
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nmyers

February 21, 2009 16:09
There is no federal law on the return of store-bought guns.

This appears to be the store policy. Return policy is determined by state, & sometimes local, law. Some states have no return policy law; it all depends upon where you live.

Neal
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zink

February 21, 2009 16:12
No federal law, I have worked for a bunch that claimed there was. It is a store policy and they are just being Dick's.

Lance
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Nwcid

February 21, 2009 16:40
Well my easy answer when someone tells me something is "the law" I say prove it.

Now if you are talking to some guy on the street this is not as easy. In your example you are in a place selling guns I would ask them, being the ones telling you "the law" to show you.

The info the others gave you is correct though.

In most places guns sales are pretty much like car sales. You take it off the lot it is yours and is forever more a used gun.
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tsr1965

February 21, 2009 16:44
+2 for zink's post.

There is no federal law that I am aware of, unless it was just made by Obama. If you were to return it and say nto them that you wanted to by that 1200.00 dollar shotgun, they would give you a refund/exchange for it...if there was a federal law they would ignor it.

Best
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golferboy426

February 21, 2009 16:46
The no return of firearms or ammo is prominately posted in the Dick's by me.
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perry shooter

February 21, 2009 16:49
One problem is you filled out a 4473 form and they may not be able to post the gun back on their books .Also there may be some state law inyour state. that it is now on the states books. I have had dealers say they would take a gun back at reduced price because it now has to be sold as a used gun. Legally I would make them show me their written return policy and ask to see manager. The clerk may just not want to go through the extra paper work.
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jonk

February 21, 2009 18:24
Having worked sales, albeit never for firearms, I always hated the 'buyer remorse' types. You looked at it, you bought it in good conscience. If you had found a defect with the gun after purchase, or had some disaster that caused an extenuating circumstance where you really NEEDED your money back, I could accept that; or perhaps even a trade. But you entered an agreement to purchase goods from Dicks for a certain value.

You then decide to buy another gun. Which is a good thing!

Keep both, be happy, don't try to renege on your agreement.

Dicks and Gander Mountains around here do have posted in their sporting goods section, "no returns on firearms or ammunition once you leave the store." If such a policy is posted, and I suspect it is, well as they say... ignorance of the law (or policy) is no excuse.

If you don't want it, put it up on gunbroker. [:)]
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dfletcher

February 21, 2009 19:05
I used to work in a gun store, although it's been quite a while, and am not aware of any laws prohibiting the return of a firearm. Consider asking to return it for a store credit, you'll probably take less of a $$$ hit that way.
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hk-91

February 21, 2009 22:13
no there is now law against this just the store rules. not ammo i'm not sure of. I would not take opened ammo back for anyreason but with guns i probley would
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He Dog

February 22, 2009 06:08
Sportsmans Warehouse has a prominant sign saying all gun sales are final. I will bet your store also has such a sign you missed.
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tsavo303

February 22, 2009 06:26
try that with your new car

Read the sign next time, and quit whining

this is part of the reason big stores dont want to sell firearms

they cannot sell it as new after you leave with it
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Oakie

February 22, 2009 10:49
Try posting the gun on GB and maybe you could sell it for a few dollars short of what you paid for. By the way, what type of 22 is it. I have a friend looking for a 22 to plink with and we live just across the bridge. Oak
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