Sam Walton probably said the same thing at one time or another. You're in danger of revealing your principles, careful....

Unfortunately, a lot of people in this country have to deal with concepts like a "bottom line", a "budget", and try as you may, you're probably never going to convince them to spend $50 more at a local gun dealer when they can pocket it and buy at a discounter. Is it worth that to get someone into the field on opening day? One more hunter to fill the ranks, when the sport's on the wane according to most survey data?

In time, most sportsmen find that Wal-Mart doesn't offer the specific products, brands, or quality (particularly optics) that they seek. Discounters tend to be very generic to avoid being stuck with niche inventory that won't sell anywhere (often an affliction gunshops have, thanks to poor trades or misguided market predictions = poor business decisions). That's not to say though that the inventory discounters stock is necessarily of any poorer quality than the like items finding their way onto gun dealer's shelves, as another poster has claimed. I've a Wal-Mart Vanguard that shoots every bit as well as my gun shop Vanguard, it's just not as pretty. Pretty doesn't kill elk.

As well, once people find a need to have a reputable 'smith work on one of their firearms, or wander in because Wal-Mart didn't have something, knowledgeable and courteous staff should be recruiting them as new customers. Of course, that doesn't always happen. A local dealer I used to frequent hired staff (again, poor business decision) that spoke to me and a number of other customers I knew in arrogant, condescending tones, particularly if you wielded any shotgun but a Browning, or any pistol but a Glock. I wasn't surprised, and wasn't all that sad either, when they had to board up their shop a year or so ago. Serves them right, in my book.

Yes, Wal-Mart is aggressive and I've seen local retailers go under as soon as the box stores come in. I'm also aware that local retailers make all sorts of bad business decisions that have more impact on their survival than the arrival of Wal-Mart or Cabela's.

Though I generally buy my firearms and related paraphernalia at my 'smith or at one of two local chains, I find it hard to fault anyone who wants to hunt, but has no firearm, for buying a "starter" from somewhere like Wal-Mart. It's more important to me that they're in the field on opening day.