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We were shocked and saddened to hear the news that Bob Owens died yesterday of an apparent suicide. Bob Owens deeply loved his family, this country, our Constitution, and was a fierce advocate for our 2nd Amendment rights. One only has to go back through his many blog posts at Bob Owens, his work with PJ Media or as the editor of Bearing Arms, to get a sense of who this man was. I myself first learned of him through his original blog, Confederate Yankee.
Bob described himself thusly:
“Husband, Father, Son, Brother, [and a] crappy shooter who writes a bit about firearms, training, and policy.”
The so-called Assault Rifle ban was debunked by Bob time and time again. Responsible gun safety? Bob wrote about it in detail and extensively. Black Lives Matter? Yeah, he shot that premise full of holes many a time. Terrorism, school shootings, open and concealed carry, Constitutional rights, he covered it all.
You can find a wealth of articles that Bob wrote via Instapundit and at Bearing Arms. It’s worth your time to click through and read. This interview in 2006 with the Washington Post speaks volumes as to who he was.
More importantly, Bob’s advocacy on behalf of American’s Second Amendment rights made an impact on many. Through his writings and reviews of classes and firearms, he advocated gun SAFETY as a priority. He advocated for gun RESPONSIBILITY over fear mongering. He shredded multiple anti-gun group fallacies with style and eloquence.
Unfortunately, those anti-gun, anti-2A ghouls came out of the sewer last evening once the news broke of Bob’s death.
When are you gun nuts going to learn that guns are dangerous?
— rb0786 (@bayo0786) May 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/IkilledMyHeroes/status/861888095993647105
Sorry. But this SOB has contributed to the gun deaths of child after child after child. He got what he deserved.
— TheTruthspeaks (@truthspeaks_the) May 9, 2017
All the disgusting ghouls gleefully commenting on Bob’s death can go pound sand. Your gruesome celebration over the death of someone whose private demons got the best of him is an indictment on YOU. Period.
Close friends of Bob’s are understandably devastated.
I apologize, but this is all I have to say at this time. Please keep his family in your prayers. pic.twitter.com/a2rNJcrCXQ
— Jenn Jacques (@JennJacques) May 9, 2017
Praying for Bob Owens' family tonight.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) May 9, 2017
Count me among the many friends of @bob_owens grieving tonight. Please keep his family in your prayers.
— Cam Edwards (@CamEdwards) May 9, 2017
RIP @bob_owens
You were a friend and an important mentor. I wish I had thanked you.
— PepperBalls (@GayPatriot) May 9, 2017
I knew @bob_owens from back in the early days of blogging . To say his passing is devastating is an understatement. Praying for his family.
— Sister Toldjah ツ (@sistertoldjah) May 9, 2017
Katie Pavlich wrote this in honor of her friend.
I will remember Bob for all of the smiles he put on my face and the laughter he brought to those around him. He was an incredible friend with the kindest of hearts. He served as an important mentor to many and was an overwhelmingly positive influence in my life. I was blessed to know him and I will miss him dearly.
Jenn Jacques, Bob’s co-editor at Bearing Arms wrote the following:
In the end, all that matters is he that will be sorely missed, and the truth is that we will never know what truly happened.
What we do know is that while Bob was a huge part of the 2A world, he was first and foremost a son, brother, husband, father, and friend.
Many of you have been posting wonderful memories and shared stories you have of Bob. The pictures, tributes, and prayers are all much needed and appreciated. I know his family – particularly his daughter – is taking solace in the knowledge that he meant so much to so many of us.
Bob Owens fierce advocacy for our Second Amendment and Constitutional freedoms will be sorely missed by many.
But none more so than his wife and two daughters and Bob’s parents. Their posts are heartbreaking.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family with expenses and start a college fund for his daughters (aged 9 and 17). You can access it here.
All of us at Victory Girls mourn the loss of a man gone too soon and pray for strength, grace, and peace for his wife, two daughters, and the family and friends Bob left behind.
WE ARE DIMINISHED
GWB says: Black Lives Matter? Yeah, he shot that premise full of holes many a time.
OK, was that intended to be funny? smh
He shredded multiple anti-gun group fallacies with style and eloquence.
This is the only bit with which I will disagree. I could almost always tell which items on Bearing Arms were his by the number of typos and mangled sentences, along with too often failing to address the question really at issue.
Having said that, I appreciated his work to support firearms training and the right to self-defense. I hope his family can have peace.
Nina says: Oh goodness… that was inadvertent for sure! I started writing late last night… 🙁
GWB says: It is a bit funny. I just wondered if it were intentional.
GWB says: He posted on FB just before dying:
“In the end, it turns out that I’m not strong. I’m a coward, and a selfish son of a bitch. I’m sorry,”
As far as suicide goes, I’ll reiterate what WeirdDave just posted on Ace of Spades:
If anyone reading this finds themselves in a place where suicide seems like a logical and rational option, please, just reach out.
Weakness isn’t an evil thing. It’s just weakness. I was recently involved in stopping a possible suicide. Because that person reached out – even if they thought it was just to say goodbye.
Each life is precious.
Kate says: It’s a deep cut. We are diminished. Much love and respect for that man.
Yamulka says: Without regard to any pro-second amendment stance, Bob Owens was a fucking moron.
Nina says: I’m so very sorry you feel that way. I can only presume that you’re angry about a life cut short too soon and saddened that a wife and daughters are grieving.
GWB says: Nice variation on “Bless your heart.”
Jj says: Suicide is for and about cowards. The only thing more stupid is defending a coward for killing his own sorry ass. What a loser.
Kate says: Hi Jj
I’m sure you’re aware that suicide is a mental health issue. Your comment doesn’t inspire anyone potentially suicidal, who may be reading about Bob’s choice, to have courage or be brave in the face of dark anguish. It must suck to be such a jerk.
GWB says: Suicide might be cowardly. Most people who contemplate it certainly consider it the “easier way” than continuing to deal with whatever troubles they have.
But, everyone has weaknesses. Yours is obviously that you’re a bitter person who excels at being a jerk.
Scott says: When I was younger, i very much held to the idea that people who chose suicide were cowards and selfish, and after having two guys on my Fire Department take that option, my attitude was just reinforced. But then I started to do some research, looking into the foundations that work to reduce suicides among Public Safety and Military members, and came to realize that it is mental illness that drives people to it, that in their confused minds, they see no other option, and in many cases think that they are doing what’s best for their loved ones. They’re completely wrong of course, but the illness prevents them from seeing it. I still struggle with those that make the choice, when many of them have so many people they could have reached out to, but i’d like to think that my outlook on the subject has matured, and I hope others can reach the same point, and help work to reduce the incidence of these tragedies.
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