In the words of Bill Clinton, "I feel your pain".
Realistically, things changed. I really can't find fault with a business changing their policies due to recent events. Look at it from their perspective. It's one thing to have a long term layaway program when chances are that that the weapon would just sit on the rack for the same amount of time before selling. That's assuming normal circumstances. Today circumstances aren't normal. The Dealer may well be considering that he won't even be allowed to complete the sale 5 months from now and after all, it is HIS money tied up in the weapon(s).
If I was presented with similar circumstances as a Customer, and I really wanted the firearm I would consider using a Credit Card, even if it did cost me some interest and a surcharge. As an option, go get a "signature loan" from the bank.
To take it out on a Dealer that is just reacting to unceertain times isn't totally right. As for Welcher's, I'll wager that this is pretty much the same thing today at all gun stores. People are grabbing anything they can, Rifles, Pistols, Ammo, etc. Until the Political Scene stabilizes this will pretty much be what we are all in for.
Welcher's is still a good gun shop. I have a rifle in my Safe that was sporterized by them in 1950 when I lived across the street. Give them a break. It's an uncertain time for them too.