Zumbo: Gun rag writer trashes "Assault Weapons"

[Declaration Day]

I sent an email to each one of Jim's sponsors.

I receved only two replies, one of which was the good news from Remington.

I am sad to say however, that Gerbergear.com did not take such a strong stance. Here is their reply to my initial letter, and my reply to that:

Following Jim Zumbo's recent comments, those of us at Gerber would like
to clarify that we respect the opinion of our sponsored hunters and
users however, we do not necessarily agree with all their opinions, nor
do we endorse their public statements. Our presence and development in
the tactical and hunting markets is proof-positive we are committed to
supporting these industries and all those involved.
Since Jim's blog was published he has issued this apology:
http://outdoorlife.blogs.com/zumbo/2007/02/i_was_wrong_big.html.

Thanks for supporting our rights and for supporting Gerber Legendary
Blades.

Jason Kintzler
Senior Communications Manager

Mr. Kintzler,

You cannot overlook the damage Mr. Zumbo has caused. Yes, he has the right to his opinion, but as a public figure he is responsible for the gravity of his statements. Jim did not make a mistake with his anti-gun comments. Rather, he showed his true colors, and his apology was a business decision designed to mitigate the damage. Within hours, the Brady Campaign quoted Jim's comment about so-called assault weapons, and hailed him as one of their supporters.

I am sorry that you decided to hide behind a PC excuse letter in response to this matter. Unfortunately the fight for our Second Amendment rights is more fierce and daunting than ever. Therefore, I (and my dollars) am forced to categorize both politicians and corporations as either with us, or against us. Since you are unwilling to take a solid stance in support of the Second Amendment, I will not be purchasing any more of your products.

Sincerely,
(my real name deleted)

We'll see if I get a response.....

 

[force_quit]

I really believe that everyone who wrote about this topic (which is also important) has an obligation to also write your congressperson opposing HR 1022.

(Thank you to the many who already did.)

 

[Atticus]

Don't forget that OL and Remington would not have given the slightest thought to Mr. Zumbo's Blog, had it not gotten the response it did. Will Remington sell me or you an AR15? Does OL feature articles on evil military style rifles or feature hunts with them? Mr Zumbo is simply a small cog in a big wheel...and is a spokesman for them for good reason.

 

[Prince Yamato]

Frankly, I've always had a bias towards AW and class 3 owners. Now I can come out with it! It's soooo liberating.

Now if I could only find some mossy-oak camo and a manequin to burn an effigy of this fuddite.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Will Remington sell me or you an AR15? Does OL feature articles on evil military style rifles or feature hunts with them? Mr Zumbo is simply a small cog in a big wheel...and is a spokesman for them for good reason.

Was a spokesman for them. They have officially canned his snobbish, elitist behind (along with the rest of him).

Brad

 

[Warren]

I think this will help RKBA.

The antis cannot now count on one issue columnists to carry water for them. Any sportsman or hunter type writer who in the past might have said derogatory things about "those other" gun owners will hesitate or refuse to do so for fear of being Zumbozoed out of the profession.

The only people they will be able to count on now will be those we already know are shills.

 

[ctdonath]

Does OL feature articles on evil military style rifles or feature hunts with them?

Considering the active interest demonstrated, maybe they will!

 

[Pointshoot]

I talked to one guy - a non hunter- who said he was glad I'm a bowhunter (which I also like to do) because "at least that gives the animal a fair chance, not like a gun". - - - My point ? - - There are those against guns and those that haven't quite made up their minds on the subject. Stupid comments from those that should know better don't help the cause of those who support the 2nd Admendment and hunting. - - Next time, they'll be coming for your particular choice of gun or weapon. - - -

 

[steve4102]

There are a few people that feel Mr Zumbo has apologized and he should be forgiven. I look at it like this, His comments will not go away, he is a major player in the "Hunting" world. Sooner or later the political debates concerning "Assault Rifles" will surface again. And you can bet your ass that the anti gun crowd will have his comments "Front and Center". They will have the words of a "well respected" outdoor writer and hunter associating AR's and other semi-autos with "Terrorists". This may be just enough to sway some "middle of the roaders" over to the anti side.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

who said he was glad I'm a bowhunter (which I also like to do) because "at least that gives the animal a fair chance, not like a gun".

That's totally cool by me, as long as he isn't trying to get the gov't to _prevent_ other people from owning/using them.

If Zumbo had just said that he thought ARs were ugly and uncomfortable, there'd be no problem. Just a few snarky comments on his blog.

Two things caused this:

1) Calling EBRs "terrorist rifles"
2) Saying that they should be banned from the hunting fields

So long as nobody tries to force me to do anything, they can have all the silly opinions they want:

But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.

-Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, 1782

It's when folks try to pass laws against the actions of others that we butt heads.

-MV

 

[DonP]

Zumbo to Zero in about an hour and a half

Boy, it didn't take Brady long to copy his column and post it on their website and My Space!

"Even hunters know these rifles are no good"

Thanks Jim. I wrote the Outdoor Channel and cancelled my Direct TV monthly subscription.

I figure Old Jim needs a new career, maybe the former owners of Smith & Wesson that cozied up to Bill Clinton in '94 have an opening for an elitist hunter type?

 

[dave_pro2a]

bu bu bu but "Hunter's won't call for the banning of rifles!"

Bwhaaaa haa ha ha ha

 

[bamawrx]

I just sent a strongly worded letter to Swarovski Optics demanding that they take the action of Remington and severe ties immediately. I will monitor which company takes which action and make my purchase decisions accordingly.

Mr. Zumbo needs to feel the FULL impact of his actions, which will serve as a warning to ALL that would even think of taking such stances. Our rights are at stake here.

I also sent an email to Remington thanking them for their decisive actions, however the email bounced so not sure what customer service address I should use.

Anyone else have a good email address for Remington Co?

 

[iamkris]

I, too, just got the lame letter from Gerber. I sent a response to Remington approving of their actions and telling them that I plan to buy a 105CTi shotgun this year as a result.

Here's my response to Gerber.

Sorry

That was about the most lame response I've ever seen.

I run a a major ($500M) product group for a large electronics firm. If one of our sponsors said that electronics will cause cancer in your brain, we'd drop them faster than a hot potato. Jim Zumbo has done the equivalent. His apology was insincere...he never once retracts the "terrorist" comment but rather blames his statements on being tired and having sore feet.

Just as you have the ability to support (or not care) about the statements he makes, I have the ability to not support Gerber.

You make fine tools but I will not buy them anymore. I'm donating my Gerber tools and purchasing from CRKT (in fact, just bought a nice M16-13Z from them).

Sincerely
Kris Rich

-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Sales" <[email protected]>

Following Jim Zumbo’s recent comments, those of us at Gerber would like to clarify that we respect the opinion of our sponsored hunters and users however, we do not necessarily agree with all their opinions, nor do we endorse their public statements. Our presence and development in the tactical and hunting markets is proof-positive we are committed to supporting these industries and all those involved.

Since Jim’s blog was published he has issued this apology: http://outdoorlife.blogs.com/zumbo/2007/02/i_was_wrong_big.html.



Thanks for supporting our rights and for supporting Gerber Legendary Blades.



Jason Kintzler

Senior Communications Manager

 

[plexreticle]

Zumbo needs to go.

Kudo's to Remington for taking the first step.

We take enough crap without guys that are suppose to be on our side shoveling it out.

Zumbo makes his living off of shooting sports and then bad mouths a huge portion of the people that feed him. His comments to me prove he is out of touch with the sport of varmiting hunting. I would put my accurized AR up against any of his .17's any time or any distance. It's a fine rifle for varmit hunting. He should know that but insted trys to insult me with his elitist crap about evil semis.

He can kiss my A$$. I havent even begun to stop whipping this dead horse.

 

[iamkris]

I also just sent this email to Tommy Millner, Remington's CEO

Tommy

I appreciate Remington's fast and decisive response to the Jim Zumbo affair. I have always admired Remington products (I have had an 1100 since 1987...I used it to shoot trap and skeet on the University of Illinois Shooting team and to hunt ever since.)

I now plan to accelerate my plans to purchase of a 105CTi (saw one at the NRA Convention last year and loved it). I was wavering between it an a Benelli but you sealed my fate.

In case your board questions your decision, I just wanted you to know that it can have POSITIVE financial implications.

Kris Rich
NRA Endowment Life Member
NRA Certified Rifle Instructor

 

[grimjaw]

If you want to send a message to Gerber, go after the military to purchase something other than their products. Up until 2004 on the Air Force base I worked at, every enlisted guy with two hands and a job somewhere other than a desk had a Gerber multitool, bought and paid for either by contract or IMPAC.

jm

 

[M110]

Quoth [user]force[/user]:
I really believe that everyone who wrote about this topic (which is also important) has an obligation to also write your congressperson opposing HR 1022.

(Thank you to the many who already did.)

Done, and done. It a weekly ritual for me, and so to should it be for the rest of you

 

[BobMcG]

Well, I had left my fitting comments on the blog site this weekend and now with thanks to those listing his contacts and sponsors I see there is more work to be done.

 

[dm1333]

Grimjaw

I can't change the contracts for Gerber but I am tranferring to a new station as the Officer in Charge. The Coast Guard requires that all boatcrewmen be issued a knife so my unit will be buying from Myerchin or Camillus as long as I am there.

 

[ryoushi]

I for one have had my pound of flesh. I haven't picked up a copy of Outdoor Life in years. Remington has dumped Zumbo, Gerber says they don't agree with him but what are we to do, buy Leatherman? God forbid.

Maybe the best thing to do would be to let him write nothing but AR articles for the next year and appear with Ted on TV shooting AR 15s and 10s at everything from tin cans to elk. The worst thing that would happen is if he gets adopted by the antis and they start parading his fat fudd butt (cowboy hat and all) around making statments against the fanatic, hate filled gun culture in the United States.

I've written my last angry letter over this guy. In California I have to write angry letters almost every week and now we are facing a federal AWB. I need to conserve my strength and rage

 

[GoRon]

I would say it is safe to say his career is over. He is radioactive.

The piling on is in poor form and taste.

He has already paid the price for his words. The Remington sponsorship alone was enough. I find the bloodlust distasteful, it plays into the negative stereotypes about gun owners and the right in general.

If he wants to work at redeeming himself with the whole shooting world then I say give the man a chance.

He was an elitist who got knocked down a couple pegs, good. Maybe he can be used as a bridge between us and them to strengthen our cause.

Destroying the man for spite might feel good but does us no service but a disservice.

 

[Kaylee]

So.. who else bought something from Remington today?

 

[Mongo the Mutterer]

If he wants to work at redeeming himself with the whole shooting world then I say give the man a chance.

Sorry he HAD a chance with his lame apology. Screwed the pooch. Too bad, so sad. No do-overs, sorry.

Buy the way, if someone is riding on the bus and getting the benefits, when he turns his back on the others he shouldn't be surprised when he ends up under it.

 

[JWarren]

I agree with GoRon.

While I DETEST the words and attitude he had in his original blog, and was completely off-base in his apology, I'd say we have been heard. It is now time for him to have introspection and determine his course of action.

He has the opportunity to go in a number of directions here. He can use this platform to become a voice FOR the RKBA, or he can go and join the Brady camp. I'm waiting for him to make the next move. Its in his court now. I'll respond according to what I see from his camp from this point on.


John