Guns & Ammo in Memphis Closing it's Doors?

[The Legion]

I haven't been to Guns & Ammo for awhile and stopped by last week.  I notice they were a little light on guns and other accessories.  I was talking with the manager and he mentioned that the owner of Guns & Ammo was looking at closing their doors by July.  Has anyone else heard anything about Guns & Ammo closing?

[krunchnik]

I haven't been inside of their store in probably 10 years or better-

They did have a ton of guns but lacked in the personality department-

Parking was always so poor so I quit even going to look-

I tried talking with their smith about a part for one of my 1911's-that was not a pleasure for sure-

[Links2k]

I always liked their inventory, but the risk of getting robbed (I think I shared the story on TGO) leaving the store made me stop shopping there years ago. 

[Chucktshoes]

While in some respects it was a Memphis institution, not all institutions are treasured. I don’t think I know anyone who will be sad to see it go. 

[deerslayer]

Just now, Chucktshoes said:

While in some respects it was a Memphis institution, not all institutions are treasured. I don’t think I know anyone who will be sad to see it go. 

I will.  If you want to see it and hold it, chances are Guns & Ammo has it.  There have been good and bad personalities there over the years, but I've generally been treated well.  I wondered if the weekend clientele would eventually convince them to move east.  Wonder what the rest of the story is.

[krunchnik]

1 hour ago, deerslayer said:

I will.  If you want to see it and hold it, chances are Guns & Ammo has it.  There have been good and bad personalities there over the years, but I've generally been treated well.  I wondered if the weekend clientele would eventually convince them to move east.  Wonder what the rest of the story is.

Like the saying-

And now you know the rest of the story-

Well we all would certainly like to know what the story is-

Could it be from local politics-Memphis City Government is not exactly gun friendly

Edited 8 hours ago by krunchnik

[Links2k]

1 hour ago, deerslayer said:

I will.  If you want to see it and hold it, chances are Guns & Ammo has it.  There have been good and bad personalities there over the years, but I've generally been treated well.  I wondered if the weekend clientele would eventually convince them to move east.  Wonder what the rest of the story is.

I’d love it if they moved to a safer location. 

[The Legion]

Over the years on two occasions, I was at the store when employees actually had to draw their weapons.  

[expendable]

I was in there a week ago and thought their inventory was looking a little thin. 

[deerslayer]

2 hours ago, The Legion said:

Over the years on two occasions, I was at the store when employees actually had to draw their weapons.  

Over the years, they seem to draw more and more of the folks who are routinely in the news.  Location, I guess.  I was there once when a Vice Lord looking fellow got denied a purchase because he smelled like weed.  I thought I was about to witness a gunfight, but he and his posse were finally convinced to leave.  I was all the way in back and never would have made it to the front door. 

Edited 6 hours ago by deerslayer

[deerslayer]

2 hours ago, Links2k said:

I’d love it if they moved to a safer location. 

Bartlett could use something besides another fast food or Mexican restaurant (although I do love me some chori pollo), but Bartlett seems to struggle to draw new businesses.  I think they are hardasses to deal with.  

[krunchnik]

I was shooting at RUSA about a week ago and chatted with one of their employees-

According to the fellow they get MS13 members in there quite a bit trying to buy firearms-

But lo and behold can never pass background checks-go figure-

He said the same thing also that normally these fine upstanding citizens reek like pot-

[deerslayer]

2 minutes ago, krunchnik said:

I was shooting at RUSA about a week ago and chatted with one of their employees-

According to the fellow they get MS13 members in there quite a bit trying to buy firearms-

But lo and behold can never pass background checks-go figure-

He said the same thing also that normally these fine upstanding citizens reek like pot-

Classic Arms has a sign on the door that says (paraphrasing) "if you smell like marijuana, we will not sell you a gun."  Sign of the times.  

[Chucktshoes]

41 minutes ago, deerslayer said:

Classic Arms has a sign on the door that says (paraphrasing) "if you smell like marijuana, we will not sell you a gun."  Sign of the times.  

One of my favorite moments there will always be getting to deny John MacAfee and crew a sale based on suspicion of straw purchase. 

[Erik88]

1 hour ago, deerslayer said:

Classic Arms has a sign on the door that says (paraphrasing) "if you smell like marijuana, we will not sell you a gun."  Sign of the times.  

I wonder if the same would apply to smelling like booze. Or if their issue is because of federal laws related to weed and buying guns. 

[Chucktshoes]

1 minute ago, Erik88 said:

I wonder if the same would apply to smelling like booze. Or if their issue is because of federal laws related to weed and buying guns. 

I haven’t been in there for at least 5 years, but when I worked behind the counter, if there was any suspicion you were inebriated in any way, you would be asked to leave. 
 

That said, the weed sign has everything to do with its location on the outskirts of Memphis. 

[deerslayer]

5 minutes ago, Erik88 said:

I wonder if the same would apply to smelling like booze. Or if their issue is because of federal laws related to weed and buying guns. 

Probably question F on the 4473. 

[Grayfox54]

I remember when Burt opened the original Guns & Ammo on Avon many years ago. Great guy, cared about his customers and offered fair prices. Back then it was one of those shops where you could stand around, visit  and just BS for a while. Business boomed and he moved to the current place. It grew steadily for years and was a favorite place in Memphis. 

But Burt passed away some years back and his wife took over the business. From what I've heard, her sole motivation is money. She ran off the long time manager and I believe assistant manager as well.  Prices went up and employee attitude and service went down. 

And as mentioned, the neighborhood has gone down quite a bit as well. I have no doubt that the current owner is a millionaire, maybe multi.  I can easily see them just pulling the plug and retiring. Kind of a shame, but once you blow your reputation, there's no coming back.