I have to agree with you. In this area I know of only 2 stores, other than WM that sell firearms, and both are primarily hardware stores.
That used to be, pre 1968, very common. Many hardware stores, and other sorts of stores as well, would sell firearms. This was especially true in smaller towns . I know I used buy my "ammo" at the hardware store, but that was steel BB's. Although I did buy some house brand ammo, and could have bought a shotgun or a rifle at a Holiday convenience store and gas station as late as '75 or '76.
Of course in those days you could buy house brand firearms and ammunition at both Sears and Wards, and could order them from the Penny's catalog (but after '68 you had to pick them up at a retail store).