Since 2013, over 41,000 lives in the U.S. have been lost to gun violence, per the Gun Violence Archive (GVA). Yet, the sale of firearms remains legal for Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders—a reality that 70-year-old California gun shop owner Willie navigates daily. 🏪
🔧 A Day in the Workshop
Willie’s routine revolves around repairing, customizing, and selling firearms. Despite rising violence, he emphasizes his shop follows strict regulations. \"Every gun has paperwork,\" he says. \"But I worry about what happens after it leaves here.\" 🔒
🧓 Passing on the Craft—and Caution
Willie hopes parents will teach kids firearm safety, stressing that guns \"aren’t toys.\" He recalls teaching his own grandchildren to handle weapons responsibly but acknowledges the generational divide. 🧑🦳→👦
📈 Stats vs. Stigma
While critics argue lax laws enable violence, Willie insists his business isn’t the problem. \"Blame the people, not the tools,\" he says. Yet, as debates rage, his shop remains a microcosm of America’s fraught relationship with guns. ⚖️
