One thing missing from the story is whether any ATF person had ever suggested that he get licensed. A rule of thumb over the years was 50 sales. But if this raid came out of the blue he’s lucky they didn’t “Kenyon Ballew” him. About 1971, in their first door buster, the ATF shot Ballew in the head on the say-so of a 14 year old kid who claimed Ballew had a weapons stash. All he had was an 1847 repro cap and ball pistol!
The LBJ “judge” on that one was a total government stooge.
“Kenyon Ballew”
I remember that very well! The ATF said he took a shot at them and that is why they shot him!
Problem: The only shot fired from his black powder pistol was into the wall about a foot from the floor, 90 degrees away from his attackers, showing he was already falling from being shot when he pulled his trigger.
Do you remember the bumper stickers after that time...
“KENYON BALLEW COULD BE YOU!”
And why did he have a black powder pistol... cartridge firearms were illegal in Washington D.C.