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http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07077/770112-109.stm
This guy is a huntersandshooters.org anti, and the paper published it with no mention of what AHAS does or is.
I think they should hear from a few of the NRA assassins here, lol.
http://biz.post-gazette.com/contact/comments_form.aspx?ID=40
Forum: The freedom to disagree
The NRA professionally assassinates a hunting legend for questioning the use of assault rifles, laments gun-rights advocate RAY SCHOENKE
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Before the current crop of presidential candidates go courting the National Rifle Association for support (witness Mitt Romney's sudden enrollment), they should be aware of the case of Jim Zumbo. One of the nation's most famous and respected hunting and outdoors journalists, Mr. Zumbo was professionally assassinated by NRA hysteria a couple of weeks ago for simply uttering a single and -- many hunters would say -- reasonable point of view.
Ray Schoenke, a former Washington Redskins offensive lineman, is president of the American Hunters and Shooters Association, a relatively new gun-rights and conservation organization that considers itself a moderate alternative to the NRA (www.huntersandshooters.org).
Returning from a weekend hunting trip after being told by guides that some people nearby were using semi-automatic, military-style weapons to hunt varmints, Mr. Zumbo dashed off a column on his blog for Outdoor Life in which he suggested that these weapons are not appropriate for hunting.
The reaction was swift --and brutal. The National Rifle Association whipped up a frenzy on the blogosphere, where a rabid fringe element of the hunting community denounced Mr. Zumbo in the harshest terms, even attacking his patriotism. Bowing to the intense pressure, Outdoor Life Magazine fired Mr. Zumbo from his writing job, where he had won a huge following. The gun company sponsors of Mr. Zumbo's highly-rated weekly television show promptly pulled their support, thus killing the program. The NRA publicly suspended all ties with Mr. Zumbo and cited the incident as a warning to anyone -- "even fellow gun owners" -- who might cross its powerful lobby.
This incident is regrettable not only because it publicly humiliated an honorable sportsman, but also because it suggests that hunters and shooters are vindictive, close-minded zealots. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Hunters and shooters are passionate about the Second Amendment, but we are not fascists. We recognize that reasonable people can disagree on reasonable issues. For instance, in a 2003 Hunters Poll by Field and Stream, the majority of hunters (67 percent) considered assault-styled rifles as not legitimate sporting arms. The NRA knows this, which is why it moved so quickly to preempt any debate -- and threaten any sportsman who dared express another opinion.
When the NRA can destroy a man like Mr. Zumbo for making a single observation that is actually embraced by a majority of sportsmen, it's time for all genuine sportsmen and -women to ask a few basic questions:
If the NRA's leaders can turn on a hunting legend like Mr. Zumbo simply for engaging in a reasonable and rational discussion of a growing issue, what can they do to you and me? Is this the type of organization sportsmen should look to for leadership? Is this the organization political candidates should cozy up to?
Hunters and shooters stand for the freedoms on which this country was built -- freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom to own a gun. What we do not need is a new brand of NRA "McCarthyism," or a loyalty oath for those involved in the outdoor world.
We need more freedom, not less. We need to unite behind what binds us together -- not demonize anyone who offers a different viewpoint. And as we fight to defend the Second Amendment, we also need to fight for access to and conservation of public lands.
The NRA has turned its back on these goals-- and on basic matters of public safety. Along with the right of gun ownership comes a basic civic responsibility to support law enforcement and keep our communities safe. Criminals and terrorists do not have a constitutional right to own a gun, but you would never know that listening to today's NRA leadership.
There is common ground to be found among those of us who are staunch defenders of the Second Amendment and policy-makers and police chiefs who seek to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. Although we will disagree on some issues, unlike the NRA's leaders, most hunters and shooters are not afraid of the dialogue; we believe in the First Amendment as well as the Second.
The character assassination of Jim Zumbo -- whether you agree or disagree with him -- is an outrage. The attacks on his patriotism were un-American. And the silencing of legitimate debate is the latest evidence that the NRA puts its own political power over the interests of its members.
Hunters and shooters don't like to be bullied, silenced or sold out. But that's what has happened. We cannot let it pass. The Zumbo case is a call to arms for every hunter and outdoorsman. Let's rise in defense of our freedoms and speak out against any body -- whether the government or the NRA -- who tries to stifle honest discussion.
This guy is a huntersandshooters.org anti, and the paper published it with no mention of what AHAS does or is.
I think they should hear from a few of the NRA assassins here, lol.
http://biz.post-gazette.com/contact/comments_form.aspx?ID=40
