I like guns. Maybe I'll explain why, in some future addition to these pages; for now, enough to say simply that I like guns. A lot of people disapprove, including some I like and respect. That's their problem. If it's a problem for you, I don't want to hear about it.

These pages were originally part of a separate site. Then I decided why not bring them here? Guns are a part of my life; why shouldn't they be part of this site? It's not something I'm ashamed of, after all.

For the record, I am not by any means a hard-core firearms enthusiast (or "gun nut" if you must.) As you will see in these pages, I only own a few guns, and I don't have any plans to acquire more.

I used to hold a federal collector's license, but it ran out and I didn't renew it. I never had the money to do any real collecting, or space in my small home for a collection of any size. I don't hunt or take part in organized competitive shooting; and while I enjoy an occasional informal plinking or paper-punching session, I can go bangless for quite a long time without any serious jones coming down.

I do give some thought to home and personal protection, but I live in an area with very little violent crime, so this isn't really a big-deal item for me. I don't carry and don't want to.

As I say, I like guns, and find them fascinating, for their historic associations and as interesting mechanisms. I know a fair amount about them, because in the past I've owned a good many different firearms; and also because, in my career as a mystery and adventure writer, a knowledge of the subject was a professional necessity.

It's also true, though, that in the region and culture in which I grew up, it was simply taken for granted that a gun was an essential tool, and a basic competence in its use was a fundamental skill, like basic carpentry or internal-combustion engine maintenance or being able to play "Wildwood Flower" on guitar. And I've never really gotten away from that. I still feel deep down that I ought to have at least one good rifle, along with a good pair of boots and a good knife and a good set of wrenches and so on; and maybe that's irrational but it's part of me and I don't feel any need to justify it.

And so much for that. I may go into some of these matters in future pages; and then again I may not.

Right now I just want to show you my guns, and say a few things about them and about guns in general.