I had met “Justin” at a public rifle range tucked in a little hollow on the other side of the big mountain. Justin was somewhat of a rarity in that part of Appalachia as his interest in firearms spread beyond simple game getters to serious target rifles. We got to know each other, I thought, and on occasion shared a shooting session up on the Wayah Bald Public Rifle Range. One day I mentioned to “Justin” my plan of driving down to Anniston Ala. in the morning to pick up some ammo of which I’m qualified to purchase through the Civilian Marksmanship Program.
“Way Coool……why doncha pick me up one of them fancy Kimber target rifles while you’re down there.” he said.
His excitement over the possibility of getting one of “them fancy Kimber target rifles” at the CMPs bargain price was evident as he ignored my explanations of how to qualify to purchase one himself. His reasoning that they’d all be sold by the time he was eligible held merit and so I agreed to pick him out a good one. And so I did the very next day…..
I stood before the rack of some forty beautiful Kimber Target Rifles previously owned by the U.S. Army. The serial number of the first rifle I grabbed was my birth date and taking that as an omen I made the purchase with every intent of ignoring the paper work I signed denying any intent of “straw” purchase. On the way home I toyed with the idea of keeping it but I had enough fancy target rifles and so the next morning I called to tell Justin he could bring the money. An unfamiliar voice that turned out to be a sister answered to inform me that…….
“Justin won’t be home fer a while….he done got throwed in jail fer beatin his wife agin.”
So Justin never received that Kimber target rifle and my record remained clear of any lawful wrongdoing though I shan’t make that claim about my conscience. I guess I’m trying to say that in light of those terrible recent events it is time we all became a little more responsible for what happens around us…… and it shouldn’t take the passing of a law.
