Change of address cards

[JT5043]

Recently I tried to purchase a WWII rifle at a Dunham's sporting goods. I went there and picked out the rifle I wanted to purchase on a Saturday, I was advised by the clerk that due to company policies he could not sell me the firearm on a Saturday. I complied and went to put the rifle on layaway until the following day. The following day I went to the store again to purchase the rifle and the same clerk asked for my driver’s license. I gave him my license and he noticed the change of address, he pointed out the problem and I provided him a Pennsylvania State change of address card. The clerk then told me that this would not do and that I would have to obtain a new photo card with the new address on it. He started to read the paperwork that I filled out and said “yeah right here it says that" but wouldn't let me read it. Has anyone ever heard of this and if so how long has this been in place???? I have asked a few persons I know who are gun owners/collectors and they told me that they have never heard of this in the pastor have not been aware of this.....

[39flathead]

Here is the information from the last version of 4473, the current one may be different:

KNOW YOUR CUSTOMER: Before a licensee may sell or deliver a firearm to a
nonlicensee, the licensee must establish the identity, place of residence, and
age of the buyer. The buyer must provide a valid government-issued photo identification
to the seller that contains the buyer’s name, residence address, and
date of birth. The licensee must record the type, identification number, and
expiration date (if any) of the identification in question 18a. A driver’s license or
an identification card issued by a State in place of a license is acceptable.
Social security cards are not acceptable because no address, date of birth, or
photograph is shown on the cards. If the buyer is a member of the Armed Forces
on active duty acquiring a firearm in the State where his or her permanent duty
station is located, but he or she has a driver’s license from another State, you
should list the buyer’s military identification card and official orders showing where
his or her permanent duty station is located in response to question 18a.

When I had my FFL, I accepted PA issued change of address cards along with a valid DL as identification.

Sounds like this is a Dunham's policy, just like the Gander Mtn policy (now changed I think) of requiring one to spell out Pennsylvania and the state of birth.

[Pa. Patriot]

The update card (+DL) is all you need by law.

Go to a *real* gun shop.

They will sell you a gun on Saturday AND accept your valid change of address card with your DL.

[jachrist]

I do know that if you try to get a LTCF you may have trouble if you have a different address on the DL, but I have never heard of this when simply buying a gun... ESPECIALLY a rifle....

As others have said, go to a real gun shop...

[normanvin]

Ask to see a manager. Explain to him why you will not be buying the rifle from his store. Get your money back.

[V-MAN]

I just bought my new Sig and I have the paper change of address card ... NO PROBLEM at all. I would have spoken to the manager for sure and it probably would have been on my way out the door to find another shop to make the purchase!

[Statkowski]

I was advised by the clerk that due to company policies he could not sell me the firearm on a Saturday.

Whoa, Nelly! Right then and there everything would have ground to a screeching halt. Manager time for sure! They want to be open on Saturday but not sell what they're offering on Saturday? Was the clerk insane?

[leeam]

I do know that if you try to get a LTCF you may have trouble if you have a different address on the DL, but I have never heard of this when simply buying a gun... ESPECIALLY a rifle....

As others have said, go to a real gun shop...

I had no prob using a change of address card when applying for LTCF or buying guns from a couple diff places.

[Xringshooter]

That clerk is an idiot. Get a manager. If someone presents me with a PA DL and a change of address card, the new address is what goes on the forms. THAT IS WHY YOU GET A CHANGE OF ADDRESS CARD FROM THE STATE, TO SHOW YOUR CURRENT ADDRESS UNTIL YOU GET A NEW PHOTO ID. And yes I know I am yelling, I can't stand people like this clerk, who think they know everything. It sounds to me like he didn't want to be bothered doing a little work.

[weaselchew]

I bought a Mosin Nagant rifle from a Dunham's using a PA change of address and my old PA license with no problems... and I think it was on a Saturday!

I would definitely go back and talk to someone else / a manager to see if you can get it worked out, but Dunham's is well known for squirrely behavior and on-the-spot "rules" when selling firearms.

The 2 Dunham's closest to me have closed down, so I typically don't go there unless I find out (probably on here) that they are having a crazy sale on something I am interested in.