USA – -(Ammoland.com)- It is with great shock and sadness that we have to report the death of our friend and Bearings Arms founder/editor, Bob Ownes. Bob was just 46.
BNO News reports:
“The incident happened at about 10:54 a.m. on Monday when officers received a report of a gunshot victim near a stop sign at the intersection of Sequoia Ridge Drive and Judd Parkway in Fuquay-Varina. A firearm was found near the man, who was later identified as Owens.
Just minutes before Owens’ body was found, at 10:51 a.m., a brief note was posted on his Facebook account . “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,” the message said.”
“Police in Fuquay-Varina, a town about 16 miles southwest of Raleigh, said the death could be a suicide but added that an investigation is still underway. The Medical Examiner’s Office and the Raleigh/Wake City-County Bureau of Identification will both assist in the investigation.”
“Bob was a great friend of mine and I am shocked and heartbroken” says Fredy Riehl, editor of AmmoLand News. “I met Bob for the first time at a writer conference many years ago, since we both spoke fluent gun speak we fell in like we were old friends, and that back and forth continued to this very moment. The 2A community has lost a great voice and fierce defender.”
Bearing Arms co-worker Jenn Jacques had this to say on Facebook:
“Life as I knew it ended this morning. It was a privilege and an honor to call Bob Owens my friend, co-editor and work hubby, so please know that I will do everything in my power to protect him in death as I did in life. Needless to say, I am profoundly devastated. Even that phrase seems insignificant compared to what I’m feeling.”
“I appreciate all the phone calls, emails, and texts, but please respect that I am having an extremely hard time with this and I am asking everyone to just focus on and pray for his family. He would laugh at how many tissues I went through writing this status. And I would do anything to hear that laugh again. ”
“WE ARE DIMINISHED.”
Townhalls’ Katie Pavlich commented:
“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. Please keep his family in your prayers during this horribly difficult time. He leaves behind his wife and two young daughters. We have set up a GoFundMe page to help, which you can access here.”
USCCA’s Armed American Radio host:
“Not only was Bob Owens an important part of our pro gun rights community he was a personal friend and a confidant. His wit and wisdom will be missed by Armed American radio listeners who learned so much from his appearances on my show whether they agreed with him or not. I am prayerful that he is at peace.” said AmmoLand News pundit and radio host Mark Walters.
Final thoughts.
Outwardly Bob appeared strong and determined to his friends, sadly that was not the case. Many on the other side will try and drag Bobs’ memory into the debate on “evil” guns causing suicide, but Bob, himself, would have argued that guns were just the tool for an efficient solution to a tragic situation and that overall firearms save more lives than the anti’s like to acknowledge. The real danger is untreated depression.
Rest in peace brother Bob, we have your back.
If you or someone you know needs help, call the U.S. Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, a free and 24/7 service that can provide suicidal persons or those around them with support, information and local resources.