Hordes of leftists may not be able to buy a gun since the GOPers are hoarding them.
I think your friends should buy a gun safe, a trigger-lock, and take a gun safety course, first. Then have the local PD or Sheriff verify they're not a risk to the public, and have an MD certify their mental stability, after NICS verifies they're not a felon. Some bureaucrat should decide whether they need a firearm for a valid purpose such as hunting or target shooting.
Then lock the rifle in the safe with a trigger-lock; maybe a logging chain, too. And a smaller safe to store the bolt and ammo.
I recommend a nice bolt-action, single-shot .22 Short rifle. Or maybe a sweet musket...and they should insist on licensing it before taking possession.