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FBI Flyer Worries Gun Store Owners

video: www.4029tv.com/news/22307123/detail.html?taf=fts

ROGERS, Ark. -- A flyer appearing to be from the FBI has been turning up at local gun and ammo shops, instructing employees there how to identify suspected terrorists, but some store owners say its regulations might affect more than just enemies of the state.

It instructs store owners to look out for certain customer characteristics, like insisting on paying with cash only, or purchasing large quantities of ammunition or other gun accessories.

Store owners are also supposed to look for people with missing hand or fingers, chemical burns, or stains on their clothing.

But this disturbs Jim Snow, owner of Rebel Arms and Sporting Goods in Nob Hill.

“Generally this thing is my customer base, generally the customer base of all your gun shops,” he said.

Snow said the form's definition of a terrorist is debatable.

“That's generally what a gun owner is. He's buying a bipod for his rifle, he's buying handgun ammunition, and he wants a container to keep it safe in,” Snow said.

Snow said he isn't comfortable using the form’s criteria to profile people in his shop, especially when many are longtime customers.

“They're wanting kids to turn their parents in, they're wanting parents to turn his kids in,” Snow said.

Ron Garratt from G.I. Guns and Ammo in Rogers doesn't see the point of the flyer.

“I think that's probably little bit of overkill,” Garratt said.

Garratt said all potential gun buyers are subject to background checks by the F.B.I. already.

“That form gives up their basic information, name address, date of birth, description and so forth,” Garratt said.

The FBI has the right to deny a sale if the background check doesn't add up.

Even with regulations, gun store owners 40/29 talked with said they'll always be careful about who they sell to They also said they do sometimes have problems with customers trying to make "straw sales": people trying to buy a firearm for someone else who cannot legally own one.

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