Apology from Zumbo in Cody Enterprise
http://www.codyenterprise.com/articles/2007/02/28/news/news3.txt
News
Outdoor writer apologetic for online criticism of assault rifles - By Jim
Zumbo
My recent blog on the Outdoor Life Web site was written with the interest of
the hunter's image in mind.
In it my use of some words inflamed America's gun community to the point
where, in less than 24 hours, they were able to mount enough pressure to
cause my TV sponsors to withdraw from my show. Outdoor Life magazine, under similar demands, asked for my resignation, which I reluctantly gave. I had worked for the magazine full time for almost 30 years.
Despite this, I hold no grudge against America's gun lobby. I have publicly
apologized and stated, "I was wrong - big time." Although I have always been active in advocating hunting rights, I've never thought of myself as a
spokesman for gun rights.
It was an inevitable outcome. Remember that throughout major firearms
incidents, such as the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Sen.
Bobby Kennedy, the more recent Columbine school shootings in Colorado, and the sniper shootings in the D.C. area, there have been flurries of bills to outlaw guns. Those of us who hunt and shoot, or simply own firearms for
protection, could have been severely impacted by those bills had they come to pass.
As an example, there have been bills written to do away with "sniper" rifles and "semi-automatic" firearms. To those of us who hunt, that "sniper" rifle
could include our Winchester bolt-action elk rifle, or our Browning or
Remington shotguns or .22s. The bottom line is that to hunt with a firearm,
we must be afforded the legal right to own one.
The Second Amendment, which guarantees us the right to keep and bear arms, has nothing to do with hunting, but everything to do with gun ownership. During the ensuing controversy surrounding my blog, some people have taken me to task for abandoning the Second Amendment. Nothing could be farther from the truth. If I ever, in my wildest dreams, thought the words I had written would bring the validity of the Second Amendment into question, I assure you I never would have touched my fingers to the keypad.
After more than 50 years of hunting, I've grown to favor certain types of
firearms that best suit my style of hunting. While comfortable in my niche,
which exclusively involves traditional bolt-action type rifles, I was
genuinely unaware of the growing popularity of the AR-15 types of firearms, and in fact, had seen only one in a hunting camp years ago.
Since posting my infamous blog Feb. 16, which subsequently has been removed, I've been exposed to a large and passionate number of shooters who enjoy using these types of guns on the range, as well as some who use them for hunting, especially varmints.
I also have received vast support from many who understood and agreed with my original intent. I realize now that the former image I conjured was largely an impression based on prejudice and misunderstandings. Your support is appreciated and I do not wish to alienate those of you who offered it, but hope that you will consider a broader more tolerant viewpoint as I have.
As a journalist, I intend to educate myself as to the entire question of these
firearms. In addition I will continue to support and protect the Second
Amendment. I'm now involved in an educational process to gather the facts and see for myself.
I'm writing this from Ted Nugent's ranch in Texas, where I'll work with Ted
and some law enforcement people to become acquainted with these firearms.
I sincerely thank all of you who have encouraged me in these trying times that have catapulted my name in the national media arena, much of it in a most unfavorable way.
It hasn't been easy for my wife and I, but our friends, fellow sportsmen and women, and even strangers have offered many prayers and much hope that help us through each day.
)
