Dad often remarked the Providence that led him to the only girl on the Abilene Christian College campus who kept a rifle in her dormitory closet.
Chris Knox
Introduction to Neal Knox–The Gun Rights War
[A gun in the woman’s dormitory!
In the mid-1970s I knew kids that had guns in their dorm rooms too. But not anymore. We still have a lot of work to do to gain back all the ground we lost in the 20th Century. And we have to do it without one of our best fighters–Neal Knox.
I’m just starting the book. I hope I can learn lessons applicable to our present date battles. I met and talked to Neal twice and was extremely impressed both times. I wish he were still with us to share both the triumphs he prepared for us (such as Heller and the upcoming victory in McDonald v. Chicago) and to help in our next fights.–Joe]
I kept a .22 rifle, a shotgun and eventually a .357 revolver in my dorm room in the early 80s. It wasn’t exactly a secret but I wasn’t blatant about it either. Today it would probably get me a visit from SWAT.
I kept a .22 pistol in my dorm room for awhile . . . I was an RA, had my own room, and I figured if everyone else could have their post stash, I could have one little pistol. It was officially secret, but in reality was probably about as secret as their pot.
in 1976 I got in trouble for having a K-Bar in my dorm room…
I had ammo & mags shipped to my dorm room back in 2007. Keeping a gun there would have been a huge no-no though. Hell, I had people who complained about my pocket knives.
Last I heard, at Brigham Young University you could still have guns if you lived in the dorm, but you had to check them in and out at your dorm’s admin/cafeteria/etc building. No keeping them actually in your dorm room, but at least you didn’t have to leave them back home.
I only really discovered firearms in the late 80’s (thanks to Interlake Range and the sound of IPSC practice at my workplace down the hill). But by the 90’s I was -in-. And I remember the double take I did as this humble gentleman walked down the aisle of our … barn really with Irv (WAC’s editor at the time). Another double take when he stopped, said hello and shook my hand. There’s been no icon of the RKBA debate that exuded the quiet thoughtfulness Mr Knox did. when you met him in person you knew that it was an honor and that he cared a lot more about meeting you then any of that.
Boyd, thank you for the kind words about my dad. In the thirty-odd years of his high-profile involvement in the gun rights war, I’ve heard and read some pretty terrible things about him — that he was less than a gentleman, that he was abrasive, in it for money or attention, or even that he was dishonest. Any time I’ve been in a position to do so I’ve challenged the writer or speaker for chapter and verse. That usually ends the conversation. One purpose in bringing the book to press was to ensure that Dad’s actual words were preserved. I’ve seen too many times when people were willing to speak for him.
Merry Christmas to you, to Joe and to all the readers here. And best wishes for a free and prosperous 2010.
Chris Knox