Strange experiance buying ammo

**zguy** · 11-03-2026, 16:25

I went into a small gunshop looking for .38Spl ammo. Got 2 boxes for a song.
While filling out the register, the guy looks at my licence and tells me that he is sorry, he cant sell me the ammo.

I asked him why, he replies with 'Your licence is for .357 Magnum.
A little dumbfounded, I said, ja, what is the problem with that?

He says no, you can only sell ammo that is specified on the ammo.

I tell him but you can buy any ammo, that your gun can chamber and shoot.
He wasn't convinced, and I thought that he was going to cancel the sale.
Eventually he gave it to me, but he said he is worried about it from a legal standpoint.

I paid and left quickly.

Is this a common thing? Is every single other store i have bought .38spl from wrong from a legal standpoint?
Do people have issue buying .233 Rem on a 5.56 Nato, or .308 Win on a 7.62x51 licence?

What about a gun like the Taurus Judge, that can shoot .45 Colt / .454 Casull and even .410 shells?
Is the gun shop going to insist on 3 different licences for one gun?

As far as I know ; your gun can chamber it, you can buy it.

**Adoons** · 11-03-2026, 17:54

Maybe that is why his shop is small?

**ady** · 11-03-2026, 18:35

That is why when you apply you put the caliber as 38spl/357 mag or 223 remington / 5.56x45 etc. It makes things a little more idiot proof for you.

Not everyone knows everything. I had a guy at a gun shop who didn't want to sell me a case of shotgun ammunition because you are only allowed 200 rounds. I pointed out that it was a S16 license, but he was adamant and wanted me to apply for a permit to have more than 200 rounds. That's when i got the shop owner involved and i walked out with my case of shotgun ammo.

**Captain Hook** · 11-03-2026, 18:57

A great number of gunshop employees have little to no clue what they're doing.

**Zuku** · 11-03-2026, 19:10

Aks him about .223 vs 5.56 mm or 308 vs 7.62 x 51 mm?

**zguy** · 11-03-2026, 20:22

Originally Posted by ady

That is why when you apply you put the caliber as 38spl/357 mag or 223 remington / 5.56x45 etc. It makes things a little more idiot proof for you.

Oh, so on the actual card it can specify multiple calibers? Doesn't this depend on how the firearm is captured on the CFR's system and dealer sheet?

**zguy** · 11-03-2026, 20:25

Originally Posted by Captain Hook

A great number of gunshop employees have little to no clue what they're doing.

I find this usually at the big brand store, where they hire snotnose kids. I avoid this place unless their pricing is worth the heartburn.

**A-R** · 12-03-2026, 05:36

Originally Posted by Captain Hook

A great number of gunshop employees have little to no clue what they're doing.

A great number of gun shop owners/managers employ monkeys so they can pay them peanuts. Makes me angry when I need to train their employees. Next time I'm going to demand a decent training discount.

**shooty** · 12-03-2026, 08:07

Originally Posted by A-R

A great number of gun shop owners/managers employ monkeys so they can pay them peanuts. Makes me angry when I need to train their employees. Next time I'm going to demand a decent training discount.

LOL. Got that feeling when visiting the new Firearms shop in CPT area with the underground rifle range. And there was alot of new young staff. But they are there to sell but had zero knowledge on anything when you asked them. Guess they will pick up knowledge with time. But they should have at least brought in an seasoned store person.

**Truth_or_Dare** · 12-03-2026, 08:35

Originally Posted by A-R

A great number of gun shop owners/managers employ monkeys so they can pay them peanuts. Makes me angry when I need to train their employees. Next time I'm going to demand a decent training discount.

Not only gun shops, it is an issue with many specialist shops these days.