I never owned a Red Ryder, but my little brother and I each began carrying single shot .22s everywhere we roamed on the few hundred acres of farm and woodlands. And we never had even one unlucky or careless incident during those years. I can say without a doubt that my 10 year old little brother carrying that rifle and, accompanied by the two collie dogs that were with us everywhere we went,
saved him from the pervert that happened to be riding on that long gravel road. I feel certain that my brother would have been one of the kids that just “vanished.” What a surprise for the perv when he realized the “toy rifle” the kid was carrying was a Remington double deuce. AND, no sir, “you cannot look at my gun.”