I returned home from a vacation this week to read that father, author, and all-around fine guy, Joel Rosenberg had passed away.
I first discovered Joel Rosenberg's "Guardians of the Flame" series in middle school. From "The Sleeping Dragon" onward I was hooked. Then I learned that Joel also wrote darned good military science fiction in "Not For Glory".
I suspected that Joel may have been a gun-guy after I read his incredible "Keepers of the Hidden Ways" series. There were too many accurate little details for someone just working off of research notes. Then back in 2004 I ran across Joel on one of the larger firearms-related online bulletin boards; The High Road, I believe.
From there I learned that Joel was a concealed carry instructor and a 2nd Amendment activist. Better and better! It wasn't until I found Joel on Facebook that I began following his online work more closely.
Joel and I had quite a bit in common both in interests and life events. Joel wrote about some family struggles that my family also deals with. We shared a similar sense of humor and political views.
When I said that Joel was an activist, he really was. Late last year Joel tested the letter of Minnesota's firearms laws by openly wearing a handgun into a police station. Joel complied with all legal requirements to do so but the incident resulted in a series of events that placed Joel in very real danger of a jail sentence and permanent loss of his right to own a firearm. Joel was literally making himself a test case for Minnesota gun rights. I don't believe that I would have the courage to take the same kind of risk.
Felicia, Judy, and Rachel, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
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