David E. Petzal - The Gun Nut

"We each have the right to be the source of our own salvation from evil if we so choose. That right must not be usurped by those who would run our lives for us according to their own agendas, whether it be for the basest of self-interests, or for the noblest of altruisms."--Gwen, from Pennsylvania, on why she owns guns.--from Armed America, by Kyle Cassidy

“A two-inch rifle is no less likely to drop your lion than a one-inch rifle. If you shoot well, either will do. On the other hand, a failed extractor, a double feed, or a slipped striker can be a very serious matter indeed. Accuracy is important, but dependability is considerably more so.”—Jeff Cooper, reprinted from The Gargantuan Gunsite Gossip by permission of Gunsite Press.

"I have no prejudice at all against the revolver. It's just that I choose the gun that wins."--Jeff Cooper, speaking about his preference for the Model 1911 at a small shooting clinic in upstate New York, circa 1966

“This is the M-14. I wouldn’t give you a s**t for it.”—SFC Kenneth Kane, introducing November Company, 4th Tng Rgt. to the Army’s new rifle, November, 1963. Kane, a Korea combat vet, swore by the M-1.

“Political correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical liberal minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.”—Authorship, unknown, but sent to me by L. Atwill, hunter, former Special Forces trooper, and arbiter of good taste.

“Every man should have at least one gun the government doesn’t know about.”—The late C.A., a genius gunsmith, machinist, and high-power rifle shooter, who did work for the government. Even though he is gone, I think he would still prefer anonymity.

“He who in a match worries about the performance of more than one person besides himself is doomed to lose.”—Warren Page, The Accurate Rifle, 1973

“The psychology of the hunter was a complex matter. Although he wanted to kill the bear more than he wanted anything else in the world at that moment, he loved him, without ever having seen him, He loved him for what he was, and for what he made of the hunter who could take him, and for the life he lived and caused the hunter to live….In a way this coldly proficient man, this leader of other men, was like the bear. He was admirable in his stature, but dangerous to tamper with.” –Roger Caras, Monarch of Deadman Bay, 1969

“The thrills experienced by ‘hunters’ whose delight is in turning living animals into bloody carcasses are real enough…The sense of power gives a boost to maladjusted egos….That type of hunter is more numerous than one likes to believe; and they’ve one trait in common—they take no chances of being hurt themselves. The sporting idea that an animal should be given a fighting chance for life seems fantastic to them.”—Alexander Lake, Hunter’s Choice, 1953

“During my years of study on high velocity and killing power, I have come to one definite indisputable conclusion. Velocity plays the most important part in killing power.”—Roy Weatherby, “Killing Power,” The Gun Digest, 1951