Nothing says Christmas like the 1983 holiday classic movie, “A Christmas Story” where the little boy’s only wish is to get a Red Ryder BB Gun.
For those of you unfamiliar, the BB Gun was named for Red Ryder, who was a comic book cowboy hero and a crime fighter out west. His comic strip circulated from 1938 until 1964 in over 700 newspapers.
The BB Gun, manufactured by Daisy Outdoor Products, hit the market in 1940 and by 1949, one million BB guns were being sold a year.
Thanks to comic strips, movies and television, the love for lever action rifles was born.
Winchester made some of the most memorable, especially with the Model 94, which sold over a million units and was considered the first sporting rifle. Today several manufacturers have a line of well-made lever action rifles in all different calibers including Marlin, Rossi, Savage, Henry, and now G Force. Available calibers include 22lr, 22mag, .357, 44 mag, 45lc, 45-70, 30-30, 410 and more. With prices starting in the $300’s and up, they certainly may make the perfect gift for that someone special.
When President Trump takes office, what new firearm regulation changes may be in the works for millions of American gun owners? There has been talk for years about the “Hearing Protection Act”, which in simple terms would mean that suppressors (that reduce the noise of gun fire) would no longer require a Tax Stamp or an application process that may take 3-6 months. If the Hearing Protection Act is dusted off and brought back before the right departments, maybe someday people will be able to purchase the devices like any other accessory at your local gun shop. Did you know that in France, Italy, Poland and New Zealand no permits are required to purchase a suppressor? In Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland and Denmark a simple permit is required, so basically if you get a permit to buy a gun you can get a suppressor.
If you are thinking about getting someone in your family a gift this year, but just not sure what to get, how about a gift certificate for a class in gun safety? Basic Firearm Safety or North Carolina Conceal & Carry Classes may be the perfect stocking stuffer. Got any bananas and duct tape laying around? Sotheby’s made international news recently for selling a piece of art by Maurizo Cattelan known as the “Comedian” for $6.24 million dollars. The funny part? It was nothing but a banana taped to the wall. The artist was trying to prove a point that there is no true way to value art, since every piece means something different to be beholder. The buyer who bid $6.24 million dollars for the art must live somewhere where bananas don’t exist. The moon maybe? The banana was 160 centimeters from the floor, which for some reason must add to the bizarre value. My question is this: If this banana was first displayed in 2019 when it was valued at over One million dollars, is it the same banana? If not, does that make this a copy? Food for thought.
Knowledge is power, bananas are art and BB Guns are still a cool gift. Merry Christmas!