[He can't just approach someone out of the blue and call them "rifle-man" or something similar, can he? Well, not if he wants a satisfying result at least.]
Your friend must be very free with his trust if he'd lend a weapon to just anyone. I'll admit I don't know if it's different for you, but in my time it helps to have a person's name before you ask a favour like that of them.
[Now also isn't a great time to be having a drawn-out conversation. Oni, nogitsune, remember those things?]