Bellingham has several branches of a large local retail chain store - Fred Meyer. One of the old-school department stores -- everything under one roof. Founded in Portland, Oregon (1922) it has been going strong ever since. The branch I frequent is on Bakerview and has been undergoing a major renovation.
Yesterday, I read a Letter to the Editor regarding the addition of firearms sales to this store during its renovation. Had to go into town this afternoon, stopped by and checked and yes, they have quite the nice beginning. About 20 feet of shelved display cases nicely stocked and about 10 feet of rifles displayed at the back of the counters. They are out of .22LR but what else is new...
The poor ninny who authored the Letter to the Editor conflated commercial retail gun sales with gun violence without being aware that the majority of guns used in violent acts were obtained illegally, either through theft or unauthorized sales.
Anyone purchasing a firearm at Freddie's will undergo a thorough background check as they have to fill out a Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives form 4473
Oh yeah - Hoplophile? I love the cultural bias dripping out of this definition: Urban Dictionary
Irrational love of, or fetish for indeed!