Leaving a Legacy with a Firearms Diary

Our Texas heritage warrants a deep appreciation of and admiration for tall tales, cowboy boots, westerns and, thus, firearms. Chances are, you or a close relative have what you consider to be a collection that’s amassed through the years by either your own acquisition or by way of inheritance. These collections serve as a reminder of the past, a sort of diary, that leave a lasting legacy and representation of history.

Until the post-WWII era, firearms were merely used as tools. Firearms that returned from the war were repurposed for sport and recreation. After the war, people were able to afford more items for luxury and sport, spawning the first collections.

“Baby Boomers” are largely responsible for collecting firearms. They inherited firearms from WWI and WWII from their parents, along with recreational firearms of the time that became collectible. A sample collection would typically have a shotgun, .22 rifle and a pistol. Perhaps those with more extravagant tastes would also have a revolver.

Logistically, there are now more collections becoming available than consumers to buy them up. In addition, more people are inheriting firearms without understanding what weapons they own and what laws are associated with owning or exchanging firearms in Texas.

This is where Nocked & Loaded owner, Johnny Wade, comes in to fill the void. Johnny serves as a mediator for those with collections looking to relinquish their firearms. He evaluates individual’s collections and educates those who may not realize what they have to ensure the lawful sales and exchanges of their firearms and accessories.

A few years ago, Johnny was put in contact with a woman who knew nothing about her late husband’s sprawling firearms collection. This particular collection included suppressors. “She didn’t know what the suppressors were and predators were taking advantage of her,” recalled Johnny. “If not handled properly, you have people with NFA items that don’t realize they have committed a felony in selling the firearm or possessing the weapon without registration.”

Although you can legally own firearms and accessories under the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA), it requires you to register, with the federal government, all fully-automatic firearms, rifles and shotguns. Adjustments have been made to the act to allow ownership of other accessories, such as suppressors, under NFA provisions.

The Gun Control Act (GCA) of 1968 prohibited the importation of fully-automatic firearms for private purposes. The 1986 amendment to the act prohibited the domestic manufacture of fully-automatic weapons for private purposes. This means that you cannot own fully automatic firearms manufactured after May 19, 1986; it’s a felony. You also cannot just sell and get rid of these items under the rules of the NFA.

In Texas, to own NFA items, you must do so through ATF Form 1 and ATF Form 4. You must have an NFA Tax stamp to legally own NFA items, also. Violations of the NFA are punishable by 10 years in prison, forfeiture of all devices or firearms in violation, and the forfeiture of an individual’s right to own or possess additional firearms in the future. In addition, there is ahefty penalty of $10,000 each for certain violations. Many violationscan be avoided by proper ownership and knowing who can be in possessionand use the Title 2 firearms, which are restricted under the NFA.

In another instance, Johnny was given the address of a woman selling firearms. After Johnny appraised what firearms were left, the woman was overwhelmed. “Somebody had just talked her out of 34 guns [before I arrived], of which I know they cherry-picked because she had some fairly nice guns leftover. She was very distraught that someone had just taken advantage of her,” Johnny recalled.

“Everyone thinks their guns are registered to them when they buy them, they’re not. If you give a firearm to someone with a criminal background, you then are liable and have also committed a crime,” notes Johnny, “If you want to give any of your weapons away, 1 or 100, you need to get a catalog of what you’ve given and to whom, so that you have taken the common sense approach to who you’ve committed those firearms to.”

For Johnny, it’s about building trust with people to know that he will help them through the process. He also enjoys reassembling the collection and what it meant to the previous owner. “I could almost forensically build a person’s life through the collection of his firearms and what it meant to him. I enjoy that,” said Johnny.

“Firearms are my diary,” Johnny said, “It’s a monument for me. Where most people go to a cemetery to be close to a belated loved one, I have something that transcends time with firearms.” Firearms connect family members together and give them a tangible connection to a legacy.

Johnny is preserving someone else’s legacy, while leaving a legacy of his own for his daughter. “My world and motivation now is for my daughter and to prepare for her,” says Johnny. On February 6, 2009, Nocked & Loaded opened in Lampasas. A second location opened in Killeen in November 2016. Customers can enjoy a practice archery range at both locations.

Working in this business, you can imagine Johnny has a varied and storied collection. Among his favorites, an authentic German Luger 9mm “Black Widow” in pristine condition and in its original holster. Germans were running out of wood towards the end of the war and were forced to make black plastic grips for their Lugers, thus the name “Black Widow.” The gentleman who brought it in had all matching numbers on magazines, which is very rare in a find like this. “He told me his dad was in WWII and picked it up during the war as a souvenir.

The most special story Johnny has to share is thanks to his good friend, Tom, a former DEA agent out of California. Tom was recovering from cancer when Johnny called him up to let him know he and his wife, Amanda, were expecting a little girl.

Tom said, “I’m gonna send you a gun and I want you to give it to your daughter. It’s a Smith & Wesson Model 19 Texas Ranger Commemorative Edition, manufactured in 1973, and it’s in the presentation box and unfired. I want you to give it to your daughter, but you [have to] send me $500.” Johnny still chuckles recalling paying for the gift.

When the Wades received the special edition firearm, it had a really nice letter addressed to their unborn daughter, giving it prominence. After welcoming their daughter, Johnny called Tom to share the news and thank him, but he was too late. “He had been battling his second round of cancer. I didn’t know and I never got to say goodbye or thanks, but [that firearm] now has that attachment and legacy now,” Johnny shared.

You can find the Wades at two locations; 306 East 2nd Street in Lampasas, Tuesday through Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. or in Killeen at 5001 South Fort Hood Street, Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.