Zumbo Letter to CCRKBA

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Zumbo Letter

We respect Mr. Zumbo, both for his original mistake and his heartfelt retraction. As a Mountain Westerner, I grew up with guns. Firepower to me is less a weapon than a tool... but in Second Amendment terms, a Tool of Liberty, a guarantor of self-defense. NRA's generations-long battle impresses me tremendously, for it has stood the test of time. Surprising that Mr. Zumbo, for all his journalistic sophistication, could not have reflected a bit before rushing into print; but as he says, the left-ideological culture (which is all one ever hears reported) eventually becomes continuous background noise.

Why is that Congress can't ever pass a clarifying resolution, even legislation, mandating that "keep and bear arms" refers not to militia units, but to individuals' personal, private, inviolable right to hunt in season and defend themselves (am I ill-informed)? Mr. Zumbo speaks and apologizes with honorable intentions. We congratulate him, admire his modesty, and sincerely wish him well.
 
I will remind my fellow hunters that we are first, gun owners. Whether we like it or not, our former apathy and prejudices may place that which we love, hunting, in jeopardy.
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This is the very point some hunters never seem to get. If Zumbo can get this point across to the hunting and sporting community where he is known, it will make a big difference.
 
I have a friend who is a major olympic-calibre competitor. Was talking one day about a possible ban on something, and he said that he personally wasn't worried, because he'd just get a special permit, and could keep going.

So I told him "Hey, they're gonna call that thing of yours a sniper rifle, and they're going to want to melt it down."

He thought a minute or three, and did a 180. You just have to open the door for a lot of folks.
 
Jim Zumbo could have debated the meaning of the word is. :D
Like someone most of us despise.
AC
 
Bogie,

Been watching and reading the sensible things you have been posting regarding Mr. Zumbo. You are a credit to the THR community. You comments are well said and thoughtful. I hope a lot of folks have been paying attention.

Guntalk,

Thank you for using your bully pulpit in a positive way. I sent a PM off to Mr. Workman regarding Mr. Zumbo asking him to pass along to Z the fact that his response to his blunder has been appreciated. It is refreshing to see a paradigm occur. I also just joined CCKABA. Sent in a check for a 5 year membership.

Dick
 
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--quote---
Much as I would like very much to believe him, I have a hard time swallowing the idea that he experienced such a total, overnight conversion to paragon of Second Amendment Rights Advocacy.
---------

I can't read minds, so I don't know what's going on in Zumbo's head.

However, in general, I would say that one of the greatest barriers to learning, or to changing one's mind when one is wrong, is one's own pridefulness and arrogance. When one gets spanked down hard, one becomes humble and those are often the most "teachable" moments.
 
has he heard about Illinois?

Maybe we should get him to use that mighty roar of his and comment on the fact that Illinois just DID ban hunting shotguns. (*)


C-


(*): note, language is so broad "any shotgun capable of accepting more than 5 rounds" or something to that effect. CAPABLE: as one writer pointed out, How many aguila mini-shells does your 870 hold?
 
As much as I don't think his sponsors should take him back, he's managed to turn a bad situation into a noble apology. I thought his Ted Nugent get-together was PR, but if Zumbo can serve as a teacher to correct the views of other people who share his misconception, then some good may come. Whether or not his newfound sensibilities are genuine doesn't matter; the point is that if he is "not ready for the rocking chair," he must now be willing to be our staunchest ally, and reach out to talk some sense into the "American Hunters and Shooters Association" types. I realized early on in my love of shooting that we stand and fall together, and a shooter that serves as an ally to the Bradys and Clintons by so much as criticizing another's lawful use of arms can be as damaging to all of our rights as anyone actively opposing the Second Amendment. We simply can't allow those with no respect for our rights to pour more muck on the already slippery slope. Here's to old dogs learning new tricks, and spreading the gospel.
 
Pyrthroes

Welcome.

Why is that Congress can't ever pass a clarifying resolution, even legislation, mandating that "keep and bear arms" refers not to militia units, but to individuals' personal, private, inviolable right to hunt in season and defend themselves (am I ill-informed)?
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To clarify: the Second Amendment is not, in any way, at all, even a little bit, even peripherally, about hunting.

It is about individuals keeping themselves, their families, their communities, and their nation secure. It is about keeping the government's natural inclination to overstep its boundaries in check.

Let us not, in any discussion of the Second Amendment, mention hunting.

Hunting is a sport, a recreation, a managed and permitted activity, not a right.

The right to own a gun is protected; the right to protect oneself with it is likewise protected.

The right to hunt with it is not.

The fact that hunting is a time-honored tradition -- and worth protecting, in my mind -- has no bearing on whether one may own arms.

The right to bear arms is unconditional.

* * *

Note: there is a bill currently in the works to remove the "sporting purposes" clauses from one or more laws. The "sporting purposes" clauses were inserted into these laws to "legitimize" hunting while drawing attention away from the fact that gun ownership is quite simply a RIGHT.

The "sporting" dodge is a popular and dishonest attack angle meant to cause a rift between different portions of the gun-owning community.

Any time someone offers you the "sporting purposes" subterfuge, just slap them upside the head with a brick. Any kind of brick. No need to use a sporting brick.
 
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Amen Arfin.

I grew up in a gun household. All the male ancestors of my father's line carried guns in the woods and some on battlefields.

I NEVER EVER heard about the BOR or 2nd Amendment, and how it pertained to our guns.

NEVER!!

Only after I shook off my brainwashed socialist student tendencies did I put it together.

The Bill of Rights is a sacred document. The Second Amendment is about the "god-given" right of self defense, especially from tyranny and oppression.
 
I follow the "Zumbo Incident and Aftermath" on this and other forums and web sites with interest. I follow progress of gun legislation, both pro and con, with great interest.

Unlike a lot of gun owners, I have no't bothered to offer my comments or opinions on the "Zumbo Incindent". You folks seem to have that covered quite well.

Also unlike a lot of gun owners, I have, (among other things):
- Made a contribution to the NRA's ILA
- Joined the KSRA and Second Amendment Foundation
- Sent letters to my CongressWeasel
- Sent email messages to members of the Kansas House, (re HR 2528)
- Taken the NRA's basic handgun class with my wife, until now a non-shooter. She got a lot out of it and plans to continue with handgun training and get her concealed carry license. (I got to shoot a couple of guns I hadn't shot before.)
- Made a contribution to the Second Amendment Foundation

I'm just getting started.

I know that some of you who are being proactive too, and I thank you. As for the rest of you, what are you doing to protect our right to keep and bear arms??


Note for anyone who gets p*$$ed off by the above to the point that you "need" to write a rebuttal: Write to your CongressWeasel about HB 1022 instead of posting here for me to read. That way you won't be wasting your time, (I'm not coming back to this thread:p ) and just might be helping us all.
 
Think strategy - A lot of Democrats KNOW that gun control has cost them a lot of elections, from 1994 on... They're already hesitant to mess with it.

Instead of identifying _just_ HR1022, suggest to them that they'll be best served if they avoid supporting gun control in general. The "guerilla activists" among you can word the note as if it is coming from a fellow Democrat who is concerned about them backing a vote-costing losing issue.

If we're lucky, it won't even make it out of committee...
 
Stronger tomorrow than yesterday

ES wrote above: "I want to confess something.

I'm a gun owner. In fact, I probably own more than most. I pride myself on the quality of my firearms and my skills using them. I spend every weekend, rain or shine, at the range. Defensive pistol, shotgun games, hunting, long range rifle, gun skool...you name it and I do it.

While I'm an NRA member, I don't do activism. I don't write letters. I don't contribute money. I don't call my congressman...in fact, I don't even know how all that stuff works.

I just want to be left alone with my hobby. I don't worry about what bills are proposed. I don't keep track of what's going on. Hell, I barely vote.

I don't tell people what to do and I don't expect to be told what to do. I just want to shoot.

I've been following this Zumbo mess since the beginning. I haven't commented on it because I felt that everything that needed saying was already said. I also didn't want to be quick to judge. Initially, I was mad just like everyone else. I'm a fairly forgiving person though, and I thought that if anyone could help him, it would be Ted.

Reading this letter, it's obvious that Zumbo's eyes have been opened. I forgive the guy. While what he did was blatantly wrong, I believe he has come around. I would share a campfire with him.

I can also appreciate people that act rather than talk. My donation to CCRKBA has been sent in."​

I am afraid you described me exactly, ES, yet today I have contributed to both the CCRKBA and joined the NRA. If as many others do this as it appears may be happening, Jim's screw up will have blessed us all!

I expect to see more of JZ in the coming months, but with an entirely different angle and a renewed fervor. He will no longer appear as the privileged "hunting royalty" most of us can only envy, he will be a soldier in the trenches fighting for every one of us. He has the talent, he has the gifts, and now I believe he has the dedication.
 
ArfinGreebly:

You are an intelligent, articulate person. I gain from reading your messages even on the rare occasions when I disagree with them.
 
I am afraid you described me exactly, ES, yet today I have contributed to both the CCRKBA and joined the NRA. If as many others do this as it appears may be happening, Jim's screw up will have blessed us all!

I expect to see more of JZ in the coming months, but with an entirely different angle and a renewed fervor. He will no longer appear as the privileged "hunting royalty" most of us can only envy, he will be a soldier in the trenches fighting for every one of us. He has the talent, he has the gifts, and now I believe he has the dedication.
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I'm glad you felt inspired to donate. Please notify those organizations why you decided to contribute. Let them know what they're doing right.

I"m proud to be a part of this forum.

Ed
 
The explosive reaction to Zumbo's statement simply confirmed the opinion of many people that gun owners are irrational extremists who keep their hatred on a hair trigger
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I edited this for correctness.

The explosive reaction to Zumbo's statement simply confirmed the opinion of many people that gun owners are extremely commited to the principles of individual rights, commitment which they keep on a hair trigger
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Don't confuse emotion with principles. Non-hunting gun owners do more for hunting than hunters ever could. Who pays all those excise taxes that go to keeping hunting grounds alive? It sure isn't the minority of gun owners who hunt. It is the rest of us who are buying guns and ammo in year long quantities the average hunter wouldn't shoot in a lifetime.
 
I'm with you Bogie. Seems to me that Zumbo is doing the right thing and showing what I would expect to see, contrition wise. Now is indeed the time to forgive and NOT forget and put some support behind him. He's walking the right path, let's give him a positive nudge.
 
Apology accepted.

I'm one who called for his head when he made the comments. I canceled a magazine subscription or two and told everyone I knew who read those mags or owned a gun.

I've also made some mistakes in my time and know that getting knocked on your butt will sometimes teach you a thing or two. I think that's what happened to Mr. Zumbo. He was caught up in the mindset of "they won't take my A5 or Model 700, what do I care?" This dust-up has shown him that a lot of other folk have done his fighting for him until now and he's gonna settle up. Just my opinion.

I'd like to see him worked back into the media. He's an articulate writer when he puts his mind to it. I should know, I've been reading him for years. He might be of the most service to the cause by writing in the "sporting" rags rather than the "gun" rags. Someone who's had a recent epiphany will reach out to the ignorant with a zeal most of us have lost.

In short, this letter has a ring to it that the first "apology" didn't. I'm willing to bet that the shooting session with Nugent was only a part of what went on in his life and head in the last week. This letter has the sound of a man who's been wrong, realizes it and is setting out to make a change. As long as he holds the course he's set himself on here, I'll support him as ardently as I criticized him before.
 
If Dave Workman says it's so . . . it's so. Workman is not only one the finest JOURNALISTS
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There you have it. Another outdoor journalist who says its so.
Isn't that what started this whole mess?

Sorry but I was in the radio and print game for a number of years and never saw a journalist who wasn't willing to compromise their beliefs and standards for a sponsors, advertisers pay check.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to pickup a gun rag magazine and see who gets positive reviews on junk and who gets ignored. Its closely related to the advertisers, hint.

My whole point is to think for yourselves, educate yourselves and quit taking the opinions of so called experts on anything. We've been sold down the road more than once.
 
There you have it. Another outdoor journalist who says its so.
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You truly have no idea what you are talking about do you?
You have few friends more in your corner on RKBA issues than Mr Workman I can assure you.

I'll be nice for once, which is REALLY hard for me, and just post some things for you.

Go read the following few things and come back better informed perhaps.
These are a few of my favorites, I hope he doesn't mind me posting the links.

http://www.ccrkba.org/pub/rkba/press-releases/oped-assault-weapon-fraud.htm

http://www.thegunzone.com/rkba/rkba-16.html

http://www.ccrkba.org/pub/rkba/press-releases/ALAN_DAVE-Kerry_Assaults_Intelligence.htm
 
I made a mistake. But those who would use my remarks to further their despicable political agenda have made a bigger one. I hope to become their worst nightmare. I admit I was wrong. They insist they are right.
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Could be.

Think about how ex-smokers and ex-drinkers sometimes become the most strident in fighting against their former vices. It might just turn out that this ex-Fudd becomes a champion of life, liberty, and the American way.
 
Dear Mr. FeedThe Hogs -

You have just met a person in the radio business whose beliefs are not for sale or rent at any price. I ONLY put sponsors on the radio whose quality I can verify, and will cancel the ad of ANY sponsor who does not live up to his word. I have been at it for 8 years, and my shows are growing.
www.libertywatchradio.com/listen

I have known Dave Workman for 5 years, and the one thing I know to be true about the guy is that he is absolutely of his word. If the man says it, there is simply no cause to disbelieve it.

I'll bet Dave could make a LOT more money doing technical writing for some slick publication, but he chooses his employment in the milieu of the Right To Keep And Bear Arms. That speaks to character!

Respectfully,
Charles Heller
Libertywatch Radio Network
www.libertywatchradio.com/bokings
[email protected]

"FeedTheHogs" said: "Sorry but I was in the radio and print game for a number of years and never saw a journalist who wasn't willing to compromise their beliefs and standards for a sponsors, advertisers pay check."
 
You know that Ruger folding stock?

I live in California. They aren't legal here NOW.

Neither are AR-15's. Or .50 caliber single shot rifles. Or high cap magazines for your Glock or 10-22. You want a new Colt Gold Cup Trophy? Forget it, you have to buy it used - if someone will sell one to you.

The city I live in, population 300,000, used to have 5 gun shops. One had an indoor range. We were down to one, then the city council made gun shops here illegal. They moved out of state. So forgive me if I'm feeling less than charitable.

I don't like hunting. I don't hunt. I don't have any reason to support hunters. The nearest hunting land is a 5 hour drive away - assuming there's no traffic. Whenever some 12 year old kid is shot by his father in a hunting accident, it's a stain on every responsible gun owner.

But despite that I support hunting. I always have and I always will. Zumbo wanted to toss the rest of us to the wolves because he had a bad day.

What's he going to do when he actually has to make an effort to support the rest of us?

When I was growing up my dad and I built a significant collection of S&W J frames. I had a mdl 36 with a 2 digit serial number. A mdl 60 with a 1 digit number. 2 mdl 50's. 2 mdl 36-1's. When S&W cut their deal, I sold them all. I'll never own another Smith. I found I didn't need to.

We don't need Zumbo. There are 10,000 writers just as good as he is. Some of them are on THR. The law of supply and demand is immutable - someone will step up and take his place. We miss Elmer Kieth and Skeeter Skelton, we miss Jeff Cooper. But life goes on. It will go on without Zumbo.

If he goes and does good work, via con dios. But he won't be doing it with my money.
 
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