What is the symbolism of the old man firing on the government tank on his property?

The tank obviously belongs to the government so perhaps it is an act of rebellion or resentment that the government has put this burden on him. If anything, it seems to be more a matter of principle than anything, since it is obvious the old man does not really use his land productively anymore, as evidenced by the fact that he does not tend to his orchard anymore. This could be seen as a kind of symbolic reaction against government intrusion into a person's life, an issue which has already been featured in the story given the background of Prohibition.