by John Jefferson

Some Americans hunted before WW II, although nothing like today. Gun ownership was unquestioned, though.

That possibly prevented a Japanese invasion. Their Admiral Yamamoto advised against it, warning there would be a rifleman behind every tree!

Shooting ranges were rare. My father died during that war, and my mother taught me to shoot a .22 revolver. She was a good shot and an excellent teacher.

A 1960 NRA tamale dinner in Austin was probably the first sporting organization fundraising event. There, I met an interesting gentleman who invited me to a reloading session in his garage. Jack McBride also said he was opening a gun shop in his house. I was fascinated.

He soon opened “McBride’s Guns.” Its wooden floors reeked of spilled Hoppe’s gun cleaning solvent. Soon, practically every serious shooter in Central Texas came to trade there. Hank Williams, Jr. made it his first stop when in Austin. Gov. Rick Perry was often there. Many guns changed hands. Jack’s twelve kids and other family members worked there. All became my friends.

The shop quickly became the place to go for gun repairs, parts, and advice. I bought an army surplus Swedish Mauser and Jack helped me “sporterize” it. When he learned I bought it at Wards, he said I probably bought it from his son, Joe — Ward’s sporting goods manager. I didn’t meet Joe until he joined the gun shop, which had expanded into its current digs.

Joe McBride eased into managing the family business as Jack approached retirement. Joe recognized value in friendships with sporting organizations like Austin Woods and Waters Club, DU, the NRA, TPWD, and others. He and his family contributed heavily to help organizations get started. Organization members remembered Joe’s generosity and became loyal customers.

Under Joe McBride’s leadership, the gunshop flourished. Adding more fishing gear, high-quality outdoor clothing, and a gold shop brought even more business. Joe’s friendliness cemented relationships. The coffee pot was always on, attracting hunters and anglers who considered it almost as their “lodge.” Every customer became a friend.

Joe ran every facet of the business. One morning, I arrived early, finding him with a broom and dustpan, sweeping up parking lot debris. I published a photo of his janitorial expertise, captioned, “Street Sweeper” – referring to a fully automatic weapon used by police agencies and gangsters.

He weathered political storms and hostile presidential terms, usually smiling. One administration threatened severe anti-gun legislation, causing a nation-wide flurry of gun BUYING! A desk plaque in Joe’s office announced, “Thanks, President Obama!”

Other plaques in his office read, “Just Write the Check!” and “Thanks for the Lesson” — his favorite response anytime a rare sales negotiation went south.

The gun shop recently sold to Houston buyers — the end of an unforgettable era. The shop and all its staff will be greatly missed. Tears have flowed; others will fall.

Good luck to the purchasers. Their arrival could be compared to a new football coach following a Darrell Royal or a Bear Bryant.

JJ