Who remembers General Stores selling 22 rifles?

[ForeverPA]

I often hear that back in the 50s general stores sold 22 rifles along side, nails, hammers and shovels. Does anyone actually remember such a thing or is it just an urban myth?

[Yellowfin]

It is true, what put an end to it was the Gun Control Act of 1968, which was directly copied and translated from the gun control laws of Nazi Germany. (Not making that up, it's actually historically true.) You can still find many shotguns branded Sears Roebuck.

[Curmudgeon]

I do. Ammo too. A quick glance at my profile might help explain this. Bought my first .22, a semi-auto Winchester from a department store, I think it ws about $60, and I used to get my ammo from a little country store and feed/grain down the street. About 50 cents for a 50-round box, give or take.

By the way, these memories are from my early years in Maryland. We moved here in 2005.

EDIT: After rereading the OP, I remember seeing guns and ammo everywhere, including our favorite hardware store and country store, but was too young to purchase on my own at the time. My father was with me when I purchased that .22, but I still purchased my own ammo. The country store folks knew us. Hell, they knew everyone.

[ForeverPA]

Selling rifles at hardware stores is the ultimate demonstration that guns are mere tools, along side hammers, shovels, and screw drivers. Come to think of it, what is the harm in the Home Depot having an ammo aisle? Now correct me if I am wrong but in the early days of aviation you could carry a rifle on board as a carry on, or was it never allowed?

[sjc1340]

I remember Laneco selling guns in the late 80's, early 90's. Too much regulation. The way I see it you should be able to buy a loaf of bread, case of beer and bottle of wine and grab a shotgun all in the same trip.

Land of the free, as long as you abide by our countless policies and silly laws
Disgusting!

[Gunsnwater]

Rite aid sold mill surp in a mall in the coal regions in the 80's. I bought a ruger single action flat top 357 from ace I think in the 90's. Walmart still has long guns.

[Ecclectic Collector]

Last time I was in there, a local gas station/repair shop still had a few boxes of ammo on the shelf behind the cash register. I second the opinion about seeing small hardware stores and box store chains with cases and cases of milsup (anyone remember Roses in the 1990s?).

[Exbiker]

Sear's and Roebuck even had rifles and shotguns. Altemose Hardware had guns and ammo.

Heck Sears sold houses.

[Berks_Iraq_Vet]

I remember Laneco selling guns in the late 80's, early 90's. Too much regulation. The way I see it you should be able to buy a loaf of bread, case of beer and bottle of wine and grab a shotgun all in the same trip.

Land of the free, as long as you abide by our countless policies and silly laws
Disgusting!

Bought an M-1 Garand from Laneco in the late 1980's.
They also sold Carbines. Should have bought a few of each. They are Blue Sky guns.
My Garand is a great shooter. No issues.

[GSrider]

Cameron's Hardware in Oxford, PA has a fully stocked gun section. Their selection and prices are very good.

I regularly pick up a gun or case of 12ga shells when stopping for something unrelated