Gun Counter Associates Able to Spot ‘Warning Signs’
Senior Enlisted Advisor CMSgt Luis Reyes looks at the gun counter with an associate.
Associates at 36 Exchange’s firearm counters know the warning signs that would cause them to halt a sale to a particular customer, findings from the past three annual inspections.
“It is never the intention of the Exchange to impede a customer’s constitutional right of purchasing a firearm,” said Assistant Inspector General Paul Martinez, a former Air Force firearms instructor. “However, it is up to the associate to use their discretion to complete or stop the sale of a firearm. Part of the inspection is to interview associates to determine if they know signs or certain behaviors that would cause them to stop a sale. The associates were able to explain several of them to me.
“While we haven’t achieved zero deficiencies yet, we know through adherence to training, policy and procedure, we are well on our way to making that a reality.”
Close monitoring, heavy regulating
Gun-counter operations are closely monitored and heavily regulated—and for good reason. Non-compliance could result in an unauthorized firearm purchase that would result in the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to issue a violations report or warning letters or even suspend a store’s firearms license.
“It is never the intention of the Exchange to impede a customer’s constitutional right of purchasing a firearm. However, it is up to the associate to use their discretion to complete or stop the sale of a firearm.”
–Assistant Inspector General Paul Martinez
The Exchange operates 71 firearms counters with plans to open three more. Starting in 2015, Director/CEO Tom Shull directed the inspector general’s office to evaluate whether the gun counters are complying with federal regulations and Exchange operating procedures, regarding firearms sales.
Between 2015 and this year, Exchange inspectors have visited 36 firearm counters to look for accountability, receiving, key control, training and documentation of all such sales.
Assuming responsibility
Additionally, the Exchange inspector general’s office partners with local HR offices to ensure firearm associates have completed all requirements necessary to assume the responsibility of selling the merchandise. Inspection findings are shared with HQ program managers so that associates at all gun counters are aware of opportunities for improvement and learn best practices that other Exchanges are implementing.
“The Exchange inspector general recognizes the efforts of firearms associates and managers,” Martinez said. “Facilities must maintain a high level of accountability and responsibility when operating firearm counters. Our team at the Office of the Inspector General is happy to help provide oversight in the continued push to compliance.”
