Firearm Companies Provide Gifts to Ailing Youth

by
posted on February 9, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
firearm-industry-provides-special-gifts-for-ailing-youth.jpg

COVID-19 is particularly perilous for young Paxton Spencer, from Columbia, Mo., due to his congenital heart defect and 17 surgeries that have compromised his immune system. When members of the gun industry learned about his health-mandated confinement to his parents’ property for more than a year, and passion for shooting, they stepped up to help ease cabin fever.

Paxton was born with hydroplastic left heart syndrome. In layman’s terms, he has half a heart and only one functioning lung. One out of every 3,841 babies born each year is afflicted, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The organization explains, “Infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome may have lifelong complications.  They will need regular follow-up visits with a cardiologist (a heart doctor) to monitor their progress. If the hypoplastic left heart syndrome defect is very complex, or the heart becomes weak after the surgeries, a heart transplant may be needed.”

Leaving home during the winter—when common colds and other viruses are widespread—has never been an option for Paxton. The pandemic’s timing has confined him there for more than a year and, depending on vaccine distribution and efficacy, likely longer.

The industry got involved when Ken Flood, vice president of sales for Warne Scope Mounts, received a phone call Freddy Spencer, a close friend and Paxton’s father. “Paxton is stuck at home and fortunately, the family lives in the country allowing Paxton to be able to shoot on their property,” Flood explained. “When Freddy asked me what type of rifle Paxton could use to shoot long range and also hunt whitetails, I had an idea. I believed we could get our industry partners to provide not only a rifle, but all of the accessories needed for Paxton to be successful shooting long range. The response was amazing.”

There’s no doubt he’s anxious for a chance to visit friends, but until then Paxton’s equipped with the kind of gear to ease any enthusiast’s isolation. He now has a Masterpiece Arms PMR Pro Rifle chambered in 6 mm Creedmoor, one topped with a Kahles K624i scope anchored with a Warne Skyline Mount.

Add the company’s Skyline bipod, Kestrel 5700 Elite Ballistic Computer with HUD and MK Machine steel targets and scope lever, and he’s ready to put his science studies to a long-distance test. Midway USA provided a combo rifle case, and Armagedon Gear donated shooting bags and a rifle case. The cartridge shortage isn’t a hurdle, either, because Hornady sent two cases of match ammo.

“When we surprised Paxton with these items, he was blown away,” Spencer said. “I can't thank the shooting industry enough for this amazing gift for my son. He will enjoy this rifle and gear for many years to come.”

Latest

Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1
Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1

Rifleman Review: Taurus Expedition

Taurus entered the bolt-action rifle market with its Expedition, a Remington 700-pattern design that's built to be versatile and affordable.

New For 2025: Charter Arms Pathfinder II

Charter Arms updated one of the oldest models in its lineup with the new Pathfinder II, which features a lightweight 7075 aluminum frame, making it more well-balanced and easier to carry.

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.