I think the guy approaching Malice because he didn't want to talk to the Old White Dudes makes it pretty clear he was not white. So for some reason he felt comfortable with Malice, maybe it was age, maybe it was race...whatever. If I were Malice I think I'd be a bit ticked off that someone thought they could approach me and ask how to handle an illegal situation, assuming I wouldn't talk, just because of how I looked. Whether it was age, race, or they had the same shirts on, I don't care. What makes you think I'm going to listen to your illegal stuff and get myself involved.
Now maybe if it was a race thing, there is a bond there that assumes you don't squeal, I don't know. And I'm not saying that such a thing exists because in my experience there are good people and bad people of every race, creed and color.
But I'm betting if someone thought the gun was illegal, then it probably was. Either stolen, or prohibited from him having it. Seems a bit stupid to take it into a shop to me without knowing if it's going to send him to jail.
Well, I guess there are stupid people everywhere. Hopefully he was just confused. Had the right to have the gun, the gun was not stolen or illegal, and that he learns more about guns and shooting and becomes a better citizen for it.