In 1991, I went to Army/Navy store outside Reading Pa. to buy a Beretta with all that money I saved from my vacation in the sand. When the time came to fill out the paperwork, I handed over my D/L and military ID (ADAF). "This liscence is expired" I hear from the clerk. "I know, that's why I gave you my military ID, the D/L is good for 90 days after my discharge". "I don't care about that, you don't have a valid D/L so you can't prove you're a Pa. resident." My reply: "Yes I do have a valid D/L, I don't have to renew it until I seperate and I've got 2 years left on active duty. (actually it ended up being 6 years but that's another story) That is a valid ID in your hand per the state." "Well I don't know about that but you need to prove to me that you're a Pa. resident or I can't sell you the pistol."
At this point things are going downhill really fast, and I'm trying to remember that being in the military means bad things will happen if I "touch" this guy the wrong way. Then I remember that my sisters drivers handbook that she's studying with to get her D/L is in my car. I go out and get that, and show the guy where in the book (printed by the DOT) it says my liscence is good. "Sorry, that's not good enough for me, you still haven't proved where you have residence".
"RESIDENCE!! Is THAT all you need proof of? I can take care of that!!" I pull out my latest Leave and Earning Statement from the AF and show him where it says "PA" in the state of legal residence block. Problem solved, right? NOPE, he looks at the other side which had my base PO box address and proceeds to tell me, "If that's where you get your mail that's where you live end of story, I don't care what you show me otherwise."
heNever went back after picking up the weapon, and wasn't suprised or upset when they went under about a year later.
p.s.- this was the same place where I asked another counterperson "Did you ever have anybody actually ADMIT to being a fugitive?" (I'm sorry, I think that's funny every time I fill that thing out- what would you do, ask them how life on the road is these daus?
) The clerk took 2 steps back, held up both hands as if surrendering, and while looking over my shoulder so there was no eye contact said loudly "Sir I cannot assist you in any way or answer any questions while you fill out the form." Some people have no sense of humor, especially considering there was nobody else closer than 50 feet and that was the cashier up front. I was waiting for somebody to look in the window and think I was robbing the guy.