It is with extreme sorrow I received the following message. It is in respect of Capt. Charles (Chuck) Karwan, USA. Chuck was a company commander of a Special
Forces Company in Viet Nam where he served several tours, a West Point graduate, and the most knowledgeable man on the history and science of military small arms I have ever met. He was also a regular contributor to NRA publications and, most important to American gun owners, one of the major moderating forces holding the BATF's bureaucrats in check. Chuck often saved gun owner's rights from BATF abuse by rendering professional opinions in favor of private ownership of semi-auto weapons which the BATF wanted to ban under the excuse that they could be easily converted to full-auto. Chuck would very pointedly render official opinions that in fact they could not be so converted by the average home workshop. I recall one in which he said in his official report, "Yes this rifle can be converted to full auto...about as easily as a Springfield Model 1873 "trap-door" could be." At that point, BATF had to revise its stance and take the gun in question OFF their banned list.

He was so much an acknowledged expert in the field, though BATF sometimes hated him, they also loved him, and employed him as an official "firearms inspector" for many years. (Such inspectors examine firearms "species" to determine their useability for conversion to illegal arms, among other things.)

He was also my closest local friend, a member of our gun club, and a man of honour in every respect. All of us American gun-owners are, in every sense of the phrase, put more "into harm's way" by his passing.
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"Hello,

This is Kate, Chuck's eldest daughter. In case you don't already know, I regret to inform you that on Monday, September 8, 2008, my father passed away. He died in the VA hospital in Roseburg, OR, of a massive heart attack due to complication of his open-heart surgery in August. He did not suffer. My mother was with him when he passed. During my last conversation with my father he humbly told me that he was "overwhelmed" by the out pouring of emails, phone calls, cards, and well wishes that he received after the surgery. It has comforted us all to know that he had a sense of how much he meant to people before he passed. He died quickly, with his wife of nearly 35 years by his side, knowing he was loved and valued as a father, brother to many, and friend to all who knew him.

My father did not want a funeral service and asked to be cremated. Since he was adamant about not having a formal memorial service I am putting together a virtual multimedia presentation that I will post on-line for people to view. For the virtual memorial service and our own family history I am requesting family and friends to send any pictures or stories of their favorite memories of Dad.? Any items that will help us learn about and remember our father will be very much appreciated...The sooner received the better.
Many individuals have asked how to help or reprieve our suffering at this time. Due to his health condition my father did not have life insurance. Though it is not necessary, if people feel compelled to help they could send donations, gift certificates, or well wishes directly to our mother at her home.



Frances Karwan

958 Cougar Creek Rd.

Oakland, OR 97462

541.459.4134

Thank you!

?

Strong advocates for peoples rights to own Semi-Auto firearms are hard to come by, and losing one leaves a void which, I believe, will be hard to fill based on what I've seen with the youth of today. I hope I'm wrong. My condolences for the loss of your friend.

quote:

My condolences for the loss of your friend.

may I second that.....

My condolences for the loss of your friend.[/QUOTE]

Me too AC roger

He, his knowledge, and his efforts in supporting our interest will be missed. Condolences from here also.