Hidden rule, crouching facepalm

[Bullet Magnet]

There are many situations where rifle skill can be totally irrelevant. Suppose the PCs need to meet someone in a bar (nice RPG stereotypical situation). The bar owners may take a dim view on customers sporting obvious weaponry, maybe even have a weapons check at the door. If things get ugly, as often happens in these scenarios, being able to use that concealed pistol you were able to get in would be quite useful. Or maybe things got ugly and there you are with no weapon at all. The fat end of a broken cue stick makes for a passable club. And of course, someone skilled in unarmed combat could shine in this setting. Being able to shoot a fly off a horse's ass at 1500 meters means nothing if you don't have your rifle, and are face to face with a 4th degree black belt.

And of course, non combat situations. Being able to scrounge up some new spark plugs to get the HMMWV moving could be a wonderful thing when that enemy division is fast approaching.

So, go for it! Let them throw every point they can find into rifle skill. Then, put them in as many situations you can think of, where other skills would be far more useful. Sharpen up those Evil GM horns!