A question that irritated me

[grizzman]

I was at Academy earlier today looking at some semi-auto pistols. The guy behind the counter asked me what kind of training I was going to take for semi-auto pistols. I have to admit that the question took me aback some.

I'm probably should have said "that's none of your business", but I responded back that I was a former infantryman and infantry officer proficient with a variety of firearms including sidearms that I carried as a company commander. I grew up in a law enforcement family so firearms especially sidearms are second nature to me.

Interestingly enough, the guy behind the counter was an former infantry officer, so we swapped stories as I looked at the semi-autos. I liked the guy after we started talking and will probably go back with my wife since I'm buying it mainly for her. I did however pick up on some negative comments about LEOs from him after I had mentioned that a friend of mine from DPD SWAT had related a story about a friend of his who had lived through a shooting because the perp didn't know how to get the LEO's sidearm off safe.

If there wasn't a trigger lock on it and we were on a range with live ammo, it would have been a more appropriate question.

Is it normal for someone at a retailer that sells firearms to ask about experience and training? Are they required to? I haven't shopped for a firearm in a long time so I'm not sure. My wife said that she thought the guy was right to ask the question since he didn't know me.

Interested in hearing GS opinions.

[k9trainer]

I don't see a problem with it. Maybe he was just making small talk with someone he shared a common interest with.

[atexx2]

maybe he was bored and wanted to talk some, not a better way to start a conversation than asking a question. just sayin

[mharris1]

Dont know if its required or not. The only question I get asked is debit or credit?

[grizzman]

Yeah, I guess the way he asked it was what came across wrong. It was almost like a demand to know, not small talk, before he would let me look at a handgun. I guess it was one of those "you had to be there" moments.

[ShockValue]

Maybe he recognized you as exmilitary and was amking small talk?

you never know though. I over heard a guy at academy that had to explain the difference in a .22 caliber pistol vs a .22 caliber air rifle to a couple.

[Smart]

Very odd question considering it is not required.

[grizzman]

maybe he was bored and wanted to talk some, not a better way to start a conversation than asking a question. just sayin

No actually it was somewhat busy, not overly. One of the other guys that was looking tried to give unsolicitated advice about how accurate the handgun I asked to see was. You know the type, like the guy at the range who tells you everything that you are doing wrong, but can't seem to shoot better groups than you. I told him accuracy was more about the shooter, and he shut up. I don't go looking at something until I have done a lot of research, hence why I asked about two specific models.

[grizzman]

Maybe he recognized you as exmilitary and was amking small talk?

you never know though. I over heard a guy at academy that had to explain the difference in a .22 caliber pistol vs a .22 caliber air rifle to a couple.

Yeah, he was a few years behind me, and I doubt our path's crossed, but you never know.

[Cam-Mac]

Hmm. Interesting.

[Geezy Rider]

He might have been asking so that he could recommend a good place to go to for training just in case you were a novice.

[grizzman]

He might have been asking so that he could recommend a good place to go to for training just in case you were a novice.

Yeah, maybe. I feel like it is the responsibility of the person who is purchasing the firearm, even though there are probably a lot of people that don't recognize that they need to be trained. Heck, I wouldn't mind going through some more training from someone who actually knows what the heck they are doing and has more experience than me.

[daveally]

I think he was just trying to be a responsible firearm salesman. I say this because of all of the people I've seen at the Academy gun counters that obviously have little to no experience with firearms. Of course it's not his business but I've found myself more than once wishing the salesman would ask more questions of his customers so that he can not only get them the firearm they need but also guide them towards being a more responsible firearm owner.

[Fishndude]

Seems the result of the question would have made you glad he asked.

[grizzman]

I think he was just trying to be a responsible firearm salesman. I say this because of all of the people I've seen at the Academy gun counters that obviously have little to no experience with firearms. Of course it's not his business but I've found myself more than once wishing the salesman would ask more questions of his customers so that he can not only get them the firearm they need but also guide them towards being a more responsible firearm owner.

Sorry, but most of the guys that I have experienced "selling" at Academy have no business telling anyone else anything about what they should buy or what they should do. I was very specific about what I wanted to see and why when I opened my mouth.

Today for example, the "salesman" was trying to steer me towards a Taurus 24/7 (DA only) after I told him the reason that I wanted to look at the two firearms that I did was because they were DA/SA, and that is what I want. I can speculate on the reason, but sometimes I feel like they point you in the direction of something that they have too much inventory in, because no one else will buy it.

I don't go to Academy for advice on what to buy. I do my research before I ever set foot in a store, regardless of product.