Bass Pro Shops — Attraction in Sweetwater

If you value your time, honesty, and proper service - or if you’re a Green Card holder - I strongly recommend you avoid the firearms department at Bass Pro Shop. My recent experience was a textbook case of poor training, outdated policies, staff dishonesty, and a total disregard for customers.

First visit: I went to purchase a firearm, bringing my driver’s license and concealed carry permit—both legally sufficient under federal law. I also had a digital copy of my Green Card on my phone, as every other gun shop has always accepted. However, the Bass Pro Shop gun counter employee insisted I physically present my Green Card. He refused to even look at the digital copy, claiming this was “company policy.” He would not budge, forcing me to drive home and back, wasting over 2 hours of my time.

After the fact: The store manager later admitted by phone that this was actually an old policy. The employee was wrong, and I should not have been required to present my Green Card physically. His only “remedy” was to say it would be addressed in training. No apology, no compensation for my wasted time, no accountability. It felt like the employee knew the current rules and simply didn’t care, preferring to invent obstacles rather than help a customer. Frankly, this also borders on illegal behavior, since federal law does not require a Green Card to be physically shown if you already have your state ID and concealed permit.

Second visit: Once my background check cleared, I returned to the shop to pick up my firearm. I found a line of people waiting to buy guns and do paperwork. Despite all my paperwork being completed, I was told I’d need to wait at least 30 minutes for a simple pickup. I asked, very politely, if a manager could help speed things up, since my transaction was ready. After a wait, a manager finally emerged, glanced at the line, and told me I would have to wait like everyone else - despite not being busy. I later learned they should have offered me the option to schedule a pickup appointment for situations like mine, but they never mentioned it.

When I expressed my frustration and asked for a refund instead, the gun desk staff member agreed instantly, showing zero interest in resolving the issue or keeping my business. They then took more time to process my refund than it would have taken to just hand me my purchase. This “customer service” is the definition of rigid, bureaucratic, and indifferent.

Aftermath: I was then shocked to learn, during the manager’s follow-up call, that staff had also lied to him about the events. He told me the employee who issued my refund was “helping a customer” at the time, which simply wasn’t true. The manager himself doubted my word, but hadn’t even reviewed security video—showing little interest in getting to the truth. No sincere apology, no commercial gesture, just a repeated assurance that “we’ll use this for training.” That’s a joke.

Conclusion: Bass Pro Shop’s gun counter operates on outdated, sometimes illegal policies, wastes your time, and then gaslights both you and their own management. If you’re not a U.S. citizen, be ready for extra hurdles. If you are, good luck, because these employees invent rules, then lie about it, and treat customers like a nuisance. There are much better, more respectful FFLs with larger selections and honest staff. Save yourself time, stress, and disappointment - avoid this shop...

This rating reflects the one experience I had on 4/4/2022 at approximately 5:15 pm. I love Bass Pro Shops overall, but a very rude salesman, Rubin in the Hunting department was disrespectful to me and my wife. I and my wife went to buy some new firearms to add to our collections. Mr. Rubin approached and asked for my credentials. I gave him my Conceal weapons Permit and a valid up-to-date FL driver's license. Because I have multiple addresses, I explained to him to put it in the address that I'm currently staying in. He said no, he would need proof. Then I said okay, I opened my phone to show him a picture of another Valid license I keep for reasons like this that had the address. He said I would need to get the physical copy. I was confused because I had three forms of Government-issued IDs. I had my US passport, FL driver's license, and concealed weapons permit. He still gave me a hard time. I didn't want to escalate the situation due to him becoming very aggressive. So, I said okay. Now, this is where gets out of hand. My wife had her FL Drivers license with the address we both reside at and her concealed carry permit. We both agreed that we are buying the same type of firearm, a Sig Saur P365XL. He told her he's not going to sell it to her because he knows she's going to give it to me. I explained to him that she was buying her own and that what he was doing was unethical and prejudice. He basically said my wife was a liar and a criminal in front of the whole store. His questioning the integrity of my wife upset me so much. Even so, I was the bigger person. His actions were discriminatory and unprofessional. I'm American-born and love all who represent our flag no matter who you are or where you are from. This guy was far from that. He embarrassed me and my wife in front of my friends and customers. This is not how you treat decent people who come to your business to spend money. I want to look the other way because I love this place, but I may have to take legal action. This has affected me in such a...

This is your one stop shop for all things outdoors. Part museum, entertainment complex. and retail shop, this is one massive experience. Bass Pro Shops was founded by Johnny Morris who grew up in the wilderness of Missouri hunting and fishing. He developed a passion for bass fishing and he did it professionally for 5 years. Johnny started Bass Pro Shops by selling tackle in 8 square feet in the back of his father liquor store. From those humble beginnings he has grown his business to 177 stores which welcomes 200 million visitors annually earning him the honorary title of "the Walt Disney of the outdoors". Johnny Morris is also a dedicated conservationist.

I haven't been into a Bass Pro Shop in awhile but I couldn't resist stopping in when I passed the entrance while walking through the Dolphin Mall. I especially love their Islamorada location when I go to the Keys because you can feed the tarpon. I used to go to the Dania Beach store a lot when my daughter was younger and really into archery.

The centerpiece of any Bass Pro Shop is a large waterfall with native fish swimming in a tank at it's base. I always like to browse their clothing especially if they are having a clearance sale. It is my dream to buy one of their kayaks one day. They had a clear one with my name on it. The guns and hunting gear hold the least interest for me. If I am lucky enough to see a deer in the wild the only thing I want to shoot it with is my camera.

Other items they sell include hiking gear, grills, toys, snacks, camping gear, fishing gear, home goods, gifts, toys, and even boats and ATV's from their own line. They have popular events like a Family Summer Camp, and Santa's Wonderland. You can find events and dates by checking their web page. This is an amazing store for anyone who like outdoor recreation. I always feel a little bit of awe when walk through the door of a...