Joanna accompanied James Feng to learn about U.S. gun laws, mainly focusing on legal knowledge.
State law stipulates that gun buyers must be either U.S. citizens or hold a green card, and the minimum age to legally purchase long guns is 18, while for handguns it is 21. Additionally, gun buyers cannot acquire the weapon immediately; a mandatory ten-day waiting period is required.
Furthermore, the law mandates that magazine capacity cannot exceed ten rounds, and gun locks must be used when transporting firearms.
There is also a limit on ammunition purchases, with a maximum of 500 rounds allowed at a time. Certain types of offensive weapons are prohibited altogether.
For someone like James, coming from a country with strict gun control, these regulations didn't seem overly stringent. However, Joanna explained that in states with more relaxed regulations, such as Texas, buying a gun is as easy as buying groceries.
In Texas, one can freely choose between long guns and handguns, and obtaining a concealed carry permit is relatively simple. Because of frequent shootings in recent years, the Texas government has even encouraged college students and teachers to carry guns on campus.
James imagined a scene where students and teachers, books in one hand and hands on their holsters, had classroom discussions punctuated by the occasional sight of a weapon. He couldn't help but think, "How intense can it get?"
Texas had a reputation for being tough, and though James had never been there, he could sense that the state's gun culture was deeply ingrained.
He asked Joanna, "In Texas, are there no restrictions on magazine capacity, and are automatic weapons allowed?"
Joanna replied, "Of course. Everything is done to prevent bandits from across the border."
Next, they proceeded to the Handgun Safety Certificate (HSC) exam. Gun shops typically have instructors to administer the exam. Even if only one person is taking the test, they can do so after paying the fee. Joanna explained that the exam consisted of 30 questions, including true/false and multiple-choice questions. To pass, a minimum of 23 correct answers was required, emphasizing safety first.
James completed the exam quickly, scoring 29 out of 30. The only mistake he made was due to a misunderstanding of a vocabulary term. He then filled out a DROS (Dealer Record of Sale) form and had one of his fingerprints recorded.
Finally, the clerk informed him, "If there are no issues after ten days, you can come back to pick up your firearm."
"Congratulations!" Joanna said with a smile.
"There's still a ten-day wait. I might not pass the background check," James said modestly.
"Don't worry. If you don't have a criminal record or any mental health issues, this waiting period is just a formality," Joanna reassured him.
"You're wrong, ma'am!"
A stern voice came from behind Joanna. James turned around and saw a potbellied policeman in uniform approaching. The officer wore a cowboy-style hat and had a gun holstered at his waist. James couldn't help but wonder whether the officer could even run if he needed to chase down a thief.
"Hi, Mr. Johnson," Joanna greeted the officer with a friendly smile.
The stern expression on the officer's face softened. He tipped his hat and nodded to Joanna before turning to James. "Is this your boyfriend?"
"No," Joanna clarified. "He's a friend. I brought him here to learn about the law."
"Hi, I'm the sheriff of Paso Robles. Call me John." The officer extended his hand, and James Feng shook it.
"Good morning, sir!"
James Feng was familiar with the title "sheriff" from American TV shows. Sheriffs are typically elected by county residents and oversee a small team. Since small towns rarely experience major crimes, James imagined that most of the sheriff's duties involved routine patrols and paperwork.
Sheriff Johnson placed his hands on his belt and said kindly, "I've heard about you. My cousin's kid works at your vineyard. They said their old boss went bankrupt, but the new Chinese owner treats them well. I didn't expect to meet you today."
James replied modestly, "I'm just doing what I can."
The sheriff smiled, then turned serious. "Joanna wasn't entirely correct earlier. In some cases, green card holders who have had their status for less than 90 days may be denied gun purchases. Also, a friendly reminder: under no circumstances are guns allowed near school campuses."
"Thank you. I'll keep that in mind," James said seriously.
They chatted with the sheriff for a while. Johnson invited James to join him for some target practice, but James politely declined, saying he had already done enough shooting for the day.
As they walked away, Joanna said, "Mr. Johnson is a nice guy. With him around, you're good to go. Didn't you hear him say you're a 'good guy'?"
"Yeah, I caught that," James said, feeling a bit proud. His actions had earned him a good reputation, which might help with future gun purchases.
As James started the car, he suddenly remembered something. "Joanna, didn't they say earlier that ammunition should be stored separately from the gun and that concealed carry is prohibited?" He looked at Joanna suspiciously, wondering if she had a concealed carry permit.
Joanna put on her cowboy hat and smiled mischievously. "Do you really think the crime rate is high enough for the police to bother a friendly and beautiful lady?"
James shook his head, then laughed. Rules are rules, but people find ways around them. He realized he'd have to be extra careful when dealing with someone like Joanna, who could switch from charming to formidable in an instant.
…
Life in the small town moved at a leisurely pace. James drove around the park, noticing many locals relaxing on benches or chatting in coffee shops. Most of the pickup trucks they passed likely belonged to vineyard workers. Joanna mentioned that there were dozens of grape growers in the area, most of whom were wealthy.
James thought about it. He had spent over $10 million on his land. Even if others owned smaller plots, they could easily be worth millions. An annual income of $100,000 was considered a good standard for the middle class, making these vineyard owners undeniably affluent.
Joanna's family also owned a vineyard and had established their own wine brand. When James asked why she still worked despite her family's wealth, Joanna explained, "My family pays for my college tuition, but I cover all my other expenses."
"Oh. I thought you had already graduated!" James said, impressed by her work ethic. He admired how American parents encouraged their children to be independent, something less common in his home country.
"I'll graduate this time next year. After that, I might pursue an MBA. I'll probably finish my studies by the time I'm 24," Joanna said.
"A business administration major? That's impressive!" James said.
Joanna smiled. "Thanks, but I've noticed that Chinese international students are the real achievers. They study hard, sometimes for an entire month straight. Except for eating and sleeping, they're always hitting the books. I can't imagine living like that!"
James laughed. Although they hadn't known each other long, he found it easy to talk to Joanna. She was knowledgeable and had a practical approach to life, making their conversations enjoyable.
James slowed down the car as a Volkswagen Touareg in front of them drove leisurely. Just as he was about to change lanes to overtake, Joanna stopped him. "No, follow that car."
James turned off the signal, puzzled, and followed the Touareg.
Joanna grinned mischievously. "Just wait. There's going to be a good show."
As James followed, he noticed another car behind them. It didn't overtake or honk but stayed close. Soon, five cars were trailing behind the slow-moving Touareg.
At an intersection, a police car parked on the roadside started its engine and pulled over the Touareg. The officer used the horn to signal the white SUV to stop while guiding the other cars to pass. As James drove by, he glanced at the unfortunate driver—an Asian man who looked bewildered.
Joanna, watching the scene unfold, chuckled. "When someone drives unusually slow and disrupts traffic, they'll get a ticket."
"Do you always find this kind of thing amusing?" James asked as he sped up, eager to get away from the line of cars.
Joanna replied, "You only see this in small towns where there's no rush. People are polite and patient. In big cities like Los Angeles, drivers are much more aggressive. They'll honk incessantly or even cut you off while yelling obscenities."
"Interesting," James said, smiling.