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Does the law forbid the return of store-bought gun

ZumkopfZumkopf Member Posts: 4 ✭✭
edited February 2009 in Ask the Experts
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
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Comments

  • Bill DeShivsBill DeShivs Member Posts: 1,264 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There is no federal law against returning guns.
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  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,892 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    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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  • zinkzink Member Posts: 6,456 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    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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  • NwcidNwcid Member Posts: 10,674 ✭
    edited November -1
    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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  • tsr1965tsr1965 Member Posts: 8,682 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    +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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  • golferboy426golferboy426 Member Posts: 970 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The no return of firearms or ammo is prominately posted in the Dick's by me.
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  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    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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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    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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  • dfletcherdfletcher Member Posts: 8,179 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    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-91hk-91 Member Posts: 10,050
    edited November -1
    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 DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    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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  • tsavo303tsavo303 Member Posts: 8,913 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    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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  • OakieOakie Member Posts: 40,565 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    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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