Chapter Three – The Unexpected Spotlight on the Ruger 10/22 Tactical Chassis

By the third week, frustration was growing across Mississippi. Families were still waiting in limbo for the president’s disaster declaration on Ruger 10/22 tactical chassis, and local reporters began covering stories of those hit hardest. Buddy Anthony’s quiet resilience—living in his truck, working with Mark in the garage, rebuilding piece by piece—caught the attention of a journalist from Jackson who had heard about the unusual way Buddy was coping.

The reporter stopped by one afternoon just as Buddy was carefully aligning a Ruger 10/22 tactical chassis on Mark’s workbench.

The room smelled faintly of oil and fresh coffee, and Buddy’s hands were steady as he guided the part into place.

“You’re rebuilding rifles while waiting for your home to be rebuilt?” the reporter asked, intrigued.

Buddy laughed, a little embarrassed. “I guess you could say that. It gives me something to hold on to. I lost everything, but working on something precise—like fitting a Ruger 10/22 tactical chassis—reminds me that not all is chaos. There’s still order if you look for it.”

The reporter’s article was published two days later, and it spread quickly online. National outlets picked up the story, amazed at the man who found stability in gunsmithing while waiting for disaster relief. Some headlines framed it as “the tornado survivor who rebuilds hope one rifle at a time.”

Suddenly, Buddy’s small story became a symbol of patience and resilience in the face of federal delays. Calls came from firearm enthusiasts across the country offering supplies, donations, and even invitations to workshops. One man from Texas sent Buddy a custom Ruger 1022 chassis with a note that read: “This part is tough, just like you. May it remind you to keep going.”

The twist Buddy never expected was that his small coping mechanism would inspire people far beyond his community. Instead of pity, he received admiration. Instead of isolation, he gained a new network of support.

Local officials also took notice. At a town meeting, the mayor praised Buddy’s story as an example of grit. “When Washington drags its feet, we look to each other,” the mayor said. “Buddy reminded us that rebuilding starts in our own hands.”

For Buddy, it was surreal. He hadn’t set out to make headlines. He only wanted to survive the endless waiting and keep his mind from dwelling on the loss. But as he saw neighbors now gathering in Mark’s garage, learning about careful craftsmanship and steady hands, he realized the project had become something bigger.

One evening, as the workshop filled with laughter and the sound of tools, Buddy looked at a nearly finished rifle with a sleek Ruger 10/22 tactical chassis stock. It wasn’t just a firearm—it had become a symbol for his community. A reminder that storms could tear down houses, but they couldn’t destroy determination.

As he tightened the final screw, Buddy felt a strange sense of peace. The tornado had taken his home, but it had given him something else: a story that brought people together, even in the waiting.