Whitehorse’s Paul Rogan was larger than life itself. If you ever met the man, you know precisely what I’m talking about.
While we corresponded frequently over the years, especially during the three-year Allen Carlos saga that Jane Gaffin and I wrote about regularly, I only had the pleasure of meeting the man once – at Jane Gaffin’s funeral in Whitehorse.
Paul Rogan, publisher of Canada’s one and only firearms buy and sell newspaper “Canadian Access to Firearms“, puts on the annual spring gun show here in Whitehorse and it’s a very well-attended affair.
I arrived about a half hour after the gun show opened and the place was wall to wall people. But more important than all the people… the room was filled with guns! Yes, I must admit seeing all those gorgeous pieces of metal proudly displayed by their owners was exhilarating.
While I stood there taking it all in Paul Rogan comes over and greets me in a way only this lively Frenchman can.
“Christopher! So good to see you! Listen. I got this guy you gotta meet.”
While Donovan Dewis has capably taken over Paul’s newspaper (and I’m sure you’ll forgive me for say so, Donovan!) nobody can replace Paul Rogan.
So much of where we are as a firearms community today is owed to Paul Rogan and the men of foresight of his time.
He was a giant among men who will not easily be forgotten by those who had the honour of knowing him.
Rest in Peace, Paul!
You earned it.
(And say hi to Jane for me, would ya?)
Paul Rogan and I shared many common interests, and had a number of interactions. He was a respected member of the community, and he will live on through his work bringing freedom loving Canadians information, and community by way of the Canadian Access to Firearms.
He will be missed.
God’s speed Paul Rogan.
A sad day indeed. We continue to lose powerful voices such as Dennis and Paul and so many others.That of course, is what the lieberals have been hoping for all along and are close to realizing – that the traditional lovers of self reliance and freedom all die off. Then those who have never known the freedom we once enjoyed, the ‘new generation’ raised in the razor wire enclosure of their gun laws, C-68 now affectionately known by them as “Statutes Canada 1995 – Chapter 39” will be much more willing lambs as their rights and property are removed piecemeal in never ending attacks.
Good by to Paul Rogan. You will be missed by all firearms owners. I read each paper cover to cover more than once. I have bought many firearms from his paper and have made many contacts because of it. I have spoken to him on the phone a couple of times. I only wish I could have met him .My Condolences to his family. Rest in piece Paul.
Hi Christopher, It is indeed a sad day. Although we all pass eventually, when those that have positively impacted our lives pass, it makes a far greater impression. I never met Paul, but have received his CATF newspaper for many many years. On a number of occasions, I exchanged emails and phone calls with him, and always was impressed that he took the time to reply and chat as if we were old friends. My biggest delight with the CATF was the bold black strip on the back page, with some relevant statement from numerous individuals. The strip was eventually moved inside the back page, and when I inquired why, he advised that there was a long term ad deal that required it’s move. Sadly, it no longer graces those pages. I saved a number of them over the years in a folder, but they have disappeared somewhere. One that I always remember, was a quote by NRA former president and actor the late Charlton Heston, “Political correctness, is tyranny with manners”. Just bold statements or quotes from numerous individuals, that I delighted in reading, and it was also the first thing I turned to when I got my copy every month. Finally, Paul was adamant about keeping the CATF as a printed and mailed hard copy even when it would have been better financially to move to on line publishing. I, as an older type, stuck in my old school ways, I for one, truly thank him for that.
Paul was a great asset to the Canadian firearms community. When many other publishers and companies withered under anti gun pressure to stop positive press, sales and advertising, and providing honest information about firearms, Paul was one of the few that withstood that pressure, and boldly moved ahead. Even shooters and gunnies that never knew him should be grateful for the work Paul did over the years. He went through some lean times while publishing the CATF, but he never gave up, and our firearm community is all the better for his positive contributions. Farewell, and rest in peace Paul, you earned it!
Christopher, thank you for this remembrance of Paul,
Paul is my father and I have seen his impact in the world from over his shoulder for my whole life.
I know the strength of character that he had, and it is reinforced by seeing people remembering him for the differences that he made.
I wish you well and maybe we will cross paths someday.
Take care
Cain Rogan
fr. joe mac donald hi cain i lived in whitehorse for about 30 years and met paul many times in his little gun shop/ house and had many chats with him he worked on some of my guns or sometimes i,d just stop by to chat he was a very interseing man to talk too and i never got tired of his stories he will be missed by me and many others { rest in peace paul } ps just read your artical about the zombies { perfect }