It all started when hunting columnist Jim Zumbo posited that AR rifles were overkill for hunting, and that people using them were like "terrorists."
I call them "assault" rifles, which may upset some people. Excuse me, maybe I'm a traditionalist, but I see no place for these weapons among our hunting fraternity. I'll go so far as to call them "terrorist" rifles. They tell me that some companies are producing assault rifles that are "tackdrivers."
Sorry, folks, in my humble opinion, these things have no place in hunting. We don't need to be lumped into the group of people who terrorize the world with them, which is an obvious concern. I've always been comfortable with the statement that hunters don't use assault rifles. We've always been proud of our "sporting firearms."
He then must have got a firestorm of responses, because next thing you know, he's apologizing, "BIG TIME."
I simply screwed up. And, to show that I'm sincere about this, I just talked to Ted Nugent, who everyone knows, and is a Board member of the NRA. Ted is extremely active with charities concerning our wounded military, and though he's known as a bowhunter, Ted has no problem with AR 15's and similar firearms. My sincerity stems from the fact that Ted and I are planning a hunt using AR 15's. I intend to learn all I can about them, and again, I'm sorry for inserting my foot in my mouth.
Next thing you know, Remington is pulling their sponsorship.
NOTICE: Remington is in the process of severing our sponsorships with Mr. Zumbo. Remington in no way shares or advocates any of the comments made by Mr. Zumbo on his blog site. A formal announcement will be released by noon today.
.... and the blog post where it all started is pulled.
Statement from Outdoor Life
Due to the controversy surrounding Jim Zumbo’s recent postings, Outdoor Life has decided to discontinue the “Hunting With Zumbo” blog for the time being. Outdoor Life has always been, and will always be, a steadfast supporter of our Second Amendment rights, which do not make distinctions based on the looks of the firearms we choose to own, shoot and take hunting. Please direct any comments you have to OLletters@time4.com.
February 19, 2007 in Hunting | Permalink
Is this the free market responding to freedom of speech, a la Dixie Chicks in reverse? Of course, they both involve incendiary remarks to right-wing audiences. However, the source of those comments is opposite. In the Chicks' case, it was from some liberals in the entertainment industry who just happened to have rednecks as fans. In Zumbo's case, he (giving him benefit of the doubt) was a Second Amendment advocate who just happened to have a sincere brain lapse.
The results of both people's comments was very damaging to their own cause.
With freedom comes responsibility... and consequences.
UPDATE: what's going on with this world when even a liberal like Marion Berry sees the advantages to an armed populace defending themselves, but a hunter doesn't?
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