Another Reason To Avoid WalMart

[jyl]

In my view, we should support independent gun shops anyway, but this reinforces my view.

The agreement between Wal-Mart and the group, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, which Mr. Bloomberg helped to organize in 2006, calls for turning a more watchful eye on firearm sales, including videotaping sales of guns and conducting criminal background checks on store clerks who handle guns.

It also calls for keeping a record each time the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives links a gun bought at Wal-Mart to a crime. If a person who buys a gun linked to a crime were to return to a Wal-Mart to buy another gun, the purchase would be flagged. It would then be up to the store whether to permit the purchase.

When fully put into effect, the agreement would also prohibit the sale of a gun to someone whose background check comes back with inconclusive results. In many states, people are permitted to buy firearms even if a background check comes back with inconclusive results.

[stomachmonkey]

Not a big fan of Walmart but help me understand why taking a more proactive approach to making sure guns are not sold to the undeserving is an issue?

[The Gaijin]

I am glad New York City is now so well run, safe and law abiding that Bloomie can spend his time on other issues.

But then again...

Maybe drug dealers and pedophiles in NYC public housing should be checked so carefully..

[onewhippedpuppy]

I deeply hate Wal Mart, but is this a big deal? Maybe there's more to it that I don't realize?

Overall it does strike me as silly. Wal Mart only sells rifles and shotguns. I'd guess the cheapest is $200-300. When the local gangsta' can buy a stolen Glock off of a crackhead for $50, are Wal Mart guns REALLY contributing to crime? I seriously doubt it. When was the last time you heard about a drive-by using a 12-gauge?

[NICKG]

well walmart is also one of the largest companies that keep sales tax as incentiove to open stores in various places. YES they charge state sales tax, but are not required to submit it to the govenment as sales tax..they keep it. as does cabelas, bass pro shops and a few other BIG companies.

[jyl]

My issue is, will this be used as leverage to pressure independent gun dealers to do the same things?

Walmart can afford to videotape every transaction and don't care if their customer doesn't like it, since guns are a tiny % of their sales. Independent dealer can't.

I'm also a little suspicious of the "inconclusive" background check. Not sure what that means.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by jyl

In my view, we should support independent gun shops anyway, but this reinforces my view.

The agreement between Wal-Mart and the group, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, which Mr. Bloomberg helped to organize in 2006, calls for turning a more watchful eye on firearm sales, including videotaping sales of guns and conducting criminal background checks on store clerks who handle guns.

It also calls for keeping a record each time the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives links a gun bought at Wal-Mart to a crime. If a person who buys a gun linked to a crime were to return to a Wal-Mart to buy another gun, the purchase would be flagged. It would then be up to the store whether to permit the purchase.

When fully put into effect, the agreement would also prohibit the sale of a gun to someone whose background check comes back with inconclusive results. In many states, people are permitted to buy firearms even if a background check comes back with inconclusive results.

I have no problem with these measures.

THESE are 'common sense' measures. I DON'T want the same guy to come back in buying guns every week if they keep ending up in thugs hands. I also see no reason not to background check the clerk. I mean, duh.

The videotaping part is only OK by me if the tapes are destroyed after X number of days.

[Rick Lee]

I can't remember the last time I bought a gun in a store anyway. I've done plenty of deals in parking lots out of the trunks of our cars. I have no problem with Wal-Mart being proactive in keeping store-bought guns out of the wrong hands. Doesn't have a lick of effect on crime and will never prevent anyone from getting a gun. But it's understandable that a business would want to do eveything they can to appear proactive on the issue.

[Rick Lee]

"It also calls for keeping a record each time the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives links a gun bought at Wal-Mart to a crime. If a person who buys a gun linked to a crime were to return to a Wal-Mart to buy another gun, the purchase would be flagged. It would then be up to the store whether to permit the purchase."

I kinda wonder about this one. Seems to me, someone who buys a gun that later turns up in a crime has probably already gotten a visit or two from the BATF before they even think about buying another gun. Unless they have a police report to show the gun was stolen from them before it showed up in a crime, I'd imagine they're flagged in the NICS system and any gun store would do a little extra due dilligence.

[sammyg2]

Those ideas sound very reasonable to me, but if I was a convicted felon or something I probably wouldn't like them at all.

[Joeaksa]

Have not shopped in a Wally World in years and hope to keep up the fine tradition for many years to come!

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by NICKG

well walmart is also one of the largest companies that keep sales tax as incentiove to open stores in various places. YES they charge state sales tax, but are not required to submit it to the govenment as sales tax..they keep it. as does cabelas, bass pro shops and a few other BIG companies.

HUH?!

What then does the city, municipality, whatever, get from having a big-box store in its locale?

[NICKG]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

HUH?!

What then does the city, municipality, whatever, get from having a big-box store in its locale?

they get the jobs...mosty don't even pay municipal taxes or property taxes. My economics professer at schooll says that is one of the reasons most put stores where they are. He would be right i think (he is one of the cheif economists at AT&T) there is also a book about it ..i will get the title.
so YEA you pay taxes ..I pay taxes...they don't. and further they keep the x% sales tax as a free profit center...while you pay them it

[Rick Lee]

I've bought some big ticket stuff at Wal-Mart online and then had it delivered. I don't think you pay sales tax then, but can't remember for sure.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by NICKG

they get the jobs...mosty don't even pay municipal taxes or property taxes. My economics professer at schooll says that is one of the reasons most put stores where they are. He would be right i think (he is one of the cheif economists at AT&T) there is also a book about it ..i will get the title.
so YEA you pay taxes ..I pay taxes...they don't. and further they keep the x% sales tax as a free profit center...while you pay them it

That's correct.

My last company out grew the town we were in.

We moved a few towns over and built a couple of new buildings, a few hundred thou of space and 1000+ employees.

Town gave us a $5 M tax break.

The town was dying and needed a corp anchor like us to attract more.

[legion]

My problem with this is exactly the same problem I had with Eliot Spitzer.

Both Bloomberg and Spitzer seem to believe that because they are in New York, they have the right to tell the rest of the country what to do. Regardless of whether or not these are good things to do, Bloomberg has no right to tell Wal Mart to do them. Is there even a Wal Mart in New York City?

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by legion

My problem with this is exactly the same problem I had with Eliot Spitzer.

Both Bloomberg and Spitzer seem to believe that because they are in New York, they have the right to tell the rest of the country what to do. Regardless of whether or not these are good things to do, Bloomberg has no right to tell Wal Mart to do them. Is there even a Wal Mart in New York City?

You ever do business with WalMart?

They are just getting back some of what they give.

And it's not Bloomberg alone, over 250 Mayors from 40 states are in the org.

[HardDrive]

I don't have a problem with any of these measures as long as they are being carried on in the State of New York.

Frankly, I don't have an issue with the rules in general.

I DO however dislike Mike Bloomborg trying to impose NY laws on other states.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

I don't have a problem with any of these measures as long as they are being carried on in the State of New York.

Frankly, I don't have an issue with the rules in general.

I DO however dislike Mike Bloomborg trying to impose NY laws on other states.

Over 250 Mayors from 40 states.

They are not trying to impose NY law on anyone.

It's an agreement to set and maintain policies/procedures.

Wal-Mart and the bi-partisan coalition of Mayors Against Illegal Guns have announced that Wal-Mart, the largest seller of firearms in the nation, has adopted the new Responsible Firearms Retailer Partnership, a 10-point code that will help ensure that guns do not fall into the wrong hands. The Responsible Firearms Retailer Partnership, created by Mayors Against Illegal Guns and Wal-Mart, is a set of policies that will be implemented over time that includes video recording of sales, rigid controls on inventory, checks that gun purchasers are not misrepresenting themselves, and the development of a first-of-its kind computerized crime gun trace log for retailers.




RESPONSIBLE FIREARMS RETAILER PARTNERSHIP:
A 10-Point Voluntary Code

1. Videotaping the Point of Sale for All Firearms Transactions. Participating retailers will videotape the point-of-sale of all firearms transactions and maintain videos for 6 months to deter illegal purchases and monitor employees.

2. Computerized Crime Gun Trace Log and Alert System. Participating retailers will maintain a computerized log of crime gun traces relating to the retailer. Once the program is in place, if a customer who has a prior trace at that retailer attempts to purchase a firearm, the sale will be electronically flagged. The retailer would have discretion to proceed with the sale or stop the sale.

3. Purchaser Declaration. For sales flagged by the trace alert system, participating retailers will ask purchasers to fill out a declaration indicating that they meet the legal requirement to purchase the firearm.

4. Deterring Fake IDs. Participating retailers will only accept valid federal- or state-issued picture IDs as primary identification. Retailers will utilize additional ID checking mechanisms.

5. Consistent Visible Signage Consistent Visible Signage. Participating retailers will post signage created by the Responsible Firearms Retailer Partnership to alert customers of their legal responsibilities at the point-of-sale.

6. Employee Background Checks Employee Background Checks. Participating retailers will conduct criminal background checks for all employees selling or handling firearms.

7. Employee Responsibility Training. Participating retailers will participate in an employee responsibility training program focused on deterring illegal purchasers. The Responsible Firearms Retailer Partnership will create an online training system based on Wal-Mart's training program.

8. Inventory Checking. Participating retailers will conduct daily and quarterly audits. Guidelines will be based on Wal-Mart's firearms audit check procedures.

9. No Sales Without Background Check Results. Participating retailers would prohibit sales based on "default proceeds," which are permitted by law when the background check has not returned a result within 3 days.

10. Securing Firearms. Participating retailers will maintain firearms kept in customer accessible areas in locked cases or locked to racks.

[Racerbvd]

How many cases has any one heard of of criminals buying a gun from walfart to commit a crime???

I have heard of people breaking into police cars than buying them from walfart