There's an old bumper sticker gag that reads "Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency." Not all that long ago that was the case over much of the nation; there used to be this thing called a "general store," where folks could buy pretty much all the necessities of daily life. There was one near where I grew up, over in the little village of Highlandville, run by the elderly Petersen couple. At that time (late '70s) one could buy smokes or plug tobacco there, but the licensing requirements had already forced the Petersens to give up sales of used guns and booze, both of which they had sold when they opened their store during the Depression. When I was a sprout, I spent a fair amount of time hanging around on the wooden porch outside Petersen's store, listening to the old-timers' yarns, and occasionally, with old Mr. Petersen's permission, wandering into the hills behind the store looking for squirrels or grouse.
By this time, to buy a gun, one had to go to the closest Coast to Coast store or, if one wanted to see a larger selection, to the great Stark's Sport Shop in Prairie du Chien. Of course, before the 1934 National Firearms Act, gun stores were a lot more interesting.
Be that as it may. In those years, by the time I was old enough to be involved in the purchase of alcohol, tobacco, and firearms, Iowa still had state-run liquor stores, although you could buy beer in any gas station or convenience store. (There was the added feature that many gas station owners had a decidedly lax attitude towards checking IDs on beer purchases.) Smokes were for sale almost everywhere, with cigarette machines still common. Since the 1968 Gun Control Act had passed, one had to go to an establishment with a Federal Firearms License (FFL) to buy a new gun, although used guns were widely sold and traded, even among us juveniles - amazingly, without any dramatic spikes in the crime rate.
In the old days, yes, general stores were great, but as always, the government had to get involved, ruining a good thing for everybody. Now, today, in most of the country, buying a new handgun, rifle, or shotgun, some smokes, and a bottle of good booze (or even rotgut) requires a minimum of two stops in most places.
Most places. Not Alaska. Among the many and various ways Alaska is a bit different, one of those is the ubiquitous Three Bears stores, like the one a half-hour's drive from where I sit writing these words. Their website describes the Three Bears outlets thusly:
The (Nearby) location features a fresh deli, fresh meat and produce department, groceries, hardware, office supplies, health and beauty aids, over the counter medications, small appliances, and a liquor store.
Also stocked is animal feed for farm animals including: chickens, horses, and ducks. The store also has a great variety of dog and cat food, treats, toys, and other accessories for your furry friends.
This Meadow Lakes Three Bears has throughout the year, various seasonal products. We carry all your holiday essentials and other products like dirt, gardening equipment, spring cleaning, summer fun items, toys, linens, hats, gloves, socks, and tons of other Alaskan gear!
You will also find a Three Bears Outpost inside featuring guns, ammo, optics, camping, apparel, and fishing and hunting products. This Three Bears also sells hunting and fishing licenses and is an Amsoil authorized dealer.
So, almost everything one might need for a rural or near-rural homestead, including booze, smokes, and firearms, all under one roof. Now that, folks, is a convenience store.
This kind of thing really ought to be the normal state of affairs. Oh, general stores still exist around the country, but most of those seem to be mostly craft-shops and tourist traps.
Granted Alaska in many ways reflects a predominant attitude of many of the residents -- "leave me alone" -- which may explain the popularity of a mostly Alaska chain of stores (there is one in Butte, Montana) that bucks the current trend. But I think it's much more likely that a lot of us, like my wife and I, live out in the woods far enough that when we do go to town, we want to get as much of our trading done with as few stops as possible, even if we are purchasing that trinity of alcohol, tobacco, and firearms.
I think it would be a good thing to bring back the concept of the small general store. That would require some adjustments, likely in licensing and zoning laws and requirements, but the convenience of being able to do all your trading at one location would sure make that worthwhile. Alaska shouldn't be the only place to have honest-to-gosh alcohol, tobacco, and firearms stores.
But, yes, Alaska is different. Three Bears is just one of the things that makes the Great Land stand out.
Oh, and we have fat bears, too.
