“I can only think of one little gun shop where rifles are on the racks in front of the counter and they are nearly all bolt action or single, double shot shotguns.”
I have been in numerous gun shops where the rifles and shotguns are on racks available for inspection to any customer. Pistols are always behind glass or otherwise out of reach, because they are too easily pilferable.
I only see the rifles and shotguns out of reach in higher crime areas or for very expensive models...
AGAIN! I repeat, in my area! What is so hard to understand about that?