I would blame the CA DOJ emergency rulemaking for your sour experience at Walmart, quite the confusing mess.

https://restrictedarms.com/2019/06/california-doj-unveils-rules-for-ammo-background-checks/

Quote
The most outrageous proposed regulation that has the chance to impact most California gun owners almost immediately is the state DOJ's insistence that only RealID-compliant driver's licenses are sufficient for the purchase of ammunition.

Michel & Associates, representing the National Rifle Association and the California Rifle & Pistol Association, has penned an exhaustive letter opposing the new regulations and pointing out that the RealID requirement is both a) contrary to federal rules on purchasing firearms and ammunition and b) only arguably necessary because of the state's own policy decisions with regard to issuing illegal aliens drivers licenses.

Remember why, specifically, the Bill of Rights was written...remember its purpose. It was written to limit the power of government over the individual.

There is no believing a liar, even when he speaks the truth.