We moved up to Northern Minnesota around 1962 as my dad got a job in one of the mines up there driving truck! He was going to be a miner!

It was about a year later that I was looking through a Sears and Roebuck catalog and I found the firearms pages? Well, I studied those pages every chance I got, after school, on weekends, and every time Dad was free. I kept it in the living room where I could grab it when needed! I may have overdone it with this one page? I found a single shot 22 bolt action that if Dad would let me have it, I’m sure I could get everything from deer, ducks, and partridge to eat!

Well Dad said if I was good, I may get it for my birthday?

My birthday was a month away, so I didn’t want him to forget. I sort of increased my sales pitch to the point where one night he came flying off the couch while watching TV.

He may have hit my head with the catalog, and he may have muttered, “I don’t want to hear another word about a gun!!!”

I took that as I better not talk about it anymore.

Well, I had that one page wore out with the 22 on it. I can still remember the price $13!  Then for some strange reason I was looking at the fine print at the bottom of the page and to my horror I read something that I couldn’t believe?

It read in bold writing!

“NO GUNS SOLD TO MINORS.”

I turned the pages and every one said the same thing?

“NO GUNS SOLD TO MINORS.”

I couldn’t believe that miners couldn’t buy guns. Why did we have to move here? I wished my dad had never gotten a job here. I hate this place now! It took me a day or two to get up enough courage to ask Mom about this and finally when we were alone, I got that catalog out and put it on the table.

I gently opened it to the gun page and then I asked Mom why miners couldn’t buy guns?

She said, “What?”

I told her it says right here “NO GUNS SOLD TO MINORS.”

I told her, “Dad can’t buy any guns!”

She started laughing and explained to me the difference between minors and miners and a great burden was instantly lifted! 

Well, my birthday came, and I got no gun! Probably got new socks and underwear or something. I forgot about guns and then at Christmas I got a couple of small items and after everyone had calmed down Dad found one more present and I knew what it was!!! 

I think of Dad every time I take that gun out of the cabinet!