If there was a controversial or an extremist Neal Knox, he is absent from The Gun Rights War. Instead, a reader will find a very talented, principled man who wrote, spoke and acted with a great deal of integrity. Knox’s opposition was treated respectfully and his own points of principal were made logically and with clarity. His comments are measured and devoid of the petty name calling and character assassination that have often replaced substantial, intelligent and civil debate in this country.
One of the reasons many people will not spend time researching or understanding historical events is that the material is often presented in a boring, biased and/or misleading manner. Fortunately, this is not the case with this book. Neal Knox’s writings, compiled and annotated by his son Chris Knox as The Gun Rights War is generally chronologically organized, always insightful, very precisely written, and colorful and interesting in presentation. Neal Knox’s skillful writing, his unyielding support of the Second Amendment and his outstanding work on behalf of the NRA should earn him a place in the hearts and minds of those who love freedom and/or firearms and anyone who believes in the preservation of all that is guaranteed under the Constitution.
Some material in The Gun Rights War carries a political theme, some stories are human interest and humorous, some are excellent at defining complex personalities in complex settings. Common to all is enough detail to assure the author’s authenticity and first hand knowledge of the individuals, places and events presented. Pulling all of this material into one volume, Chris Knox’s notes, issue updates and subtle clarifications are written in a conservative and understated style that gives the overall work a seamless flow. By employing a light touch and objective bent, Chris successfully accomplished what few others have when attempting a compilation.
An interesting and intriguing cast of characters…
I enjoyed “Remembering Elmer Keith”. Knox humanized Keith, skillfully, by tying the young Keith to the very senior Keith in a way that I personally had not considered. Knox’s Keith had humility and was quite consistent in his views and personality over the span of his life, rather than a man who told tall tales and lost credibility with age. Handled in a similar fashion was the story of the gentleman who taught Knox how to handload, Lloyd Smith. More than a mention, Knox was able to articulate what that opportunity meant to him, how he felt when he assembled that first round and what it meant to him when an early mentor became a homicide victim.
There are excellent pieces on Ruby Ridge and Waco. I am sure Knox’s analysis and understanding of the events are consistent with many people’s interpretations, including my own, but expressed publically and much more eloquently. I can appreciate the courage it took to state the honest, the obvious, and to risk the wrath of anti-gun extremists and self-serving politicians. I surely know the Bob Dole that Knox described, including Bob Dole’s signature need to be the great compromiser where no compromise is needed. More good legislation has died under the influence of Mr. Dole than I care to remember.
Neal Knox’s insight into the NRA, gained through his years of executive participation in that organization, was enlightening. It was disconcerting to read of instances where the NRA has actually spoken out against ownership of certain types of common firearms, or expressed a willingness to limit firearm ownership or has joined with politicians who had compromised our gun rights for strategic legislative gains in unrelated areas – Qui cum canibus concumbunt, cum pulicibus surgent. They who lie down with dogs will rise up with fleas.
The stories regarding Charlton Heston’s role in the NRA, and that actor’s somewhat bizarre public expression of his personal view of firearm ownership were, sadly, not unexpected. I know I cringed every time I saw him get up to speak as a representative of gun owners; long on drama, short on facts, inarticulate in messaging beyond a slogan. I never understand how some folks have a difficult time separating the man from the actor. No, I don’t mean that in reference to Heston. I was referring to the self-indulgent and self-promoting Wayne LaPierre. Yes, the NRA has accomplished many good things for gun owners and in support of the Second Amendment, something the author continually acknowledged.
A gun rights philosophy…
The right to bear arms is a fundamental right, granted through the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution as part of our Bill of Rights. It is as relevant today as it first was in 1791. There should be no negotiating with anti-gun forces to modify, marginalize or compromise this right as their end game is not compromise, their end game is a disarmed America. Therefore, even the smallest compromise takes us a few more miles down the road toward their goal. Americans need to stand together on this issue, consistently, persistently, relentlessly. Buy the book and begin by reading page 45 titled “Part 2 – Principals”.
It’s OK to be stubborn in your beliefs and desire to hold onto your Constitutional rights. Ever notice how anti-gun types always define a “reasonable person” as someone who is willing to yield to accommodate anti-gun ambitions? An anti-gun advocate will propose ten limitations to your right to own and bear arms, negotiate the list down to only five items and proclaim they have been reasonable. Yet, they were all your rights to begin with and you’re the only one who lost anything. The analogy is being robbed of $200, with the thief returning $100 as a compromise. The next time they will steal the $100 and give back $50. The next time….
Anyone who has an appreciation for firearms. Anyone who owns a firearm. Anyone who may want to own a firearm. Anyone who believes they have a right to self-defense. Anyone who likes to live in a free society. Anyone who would like to have historical insight into the gun rights war. Any one who would like to have their eyes opened to a troubling world of ever increasing government intrusion into our private lives. This is a book you buy for yourself, family members and friends. It is the truth in a package that won’t leave you feeling angry, just aware and motivated to join in on the right side of The Gun Rights War.
| Book Info & Summary: | |||
 Retail Price: |
$24.95 | Author: |
Neal Knox – Editor, Chris Knox |
| Publisher: |
MacFarlane Press | Publish Date: |
July 4, 2009 |
| Format: |
Paperback – 384 pages | Available: |
Amazon |
| Quality of information (1-5): 5 |
Quality of Presentation (1-5): 5 |
||
Email Notification