Jim Zumbo's anti-gun blog
 

Hard to believe what got into the man's brain, but he's come out against anybody being able to own AR-15 or other (his words) "terrorist guns."


Zumbo Blog

If you decide to send a comment to his sponsors, be rational and polite. Remember that none of them had a chance to approve his copy before he posted it, and this may have caught them by surprise. I simply asked them to re-evaluate their sponsorship and reminded them that my future buying decisions might be affected by their response.

Man oh man... I can't believe it. Truly a sad day. I suppose that Mr. Zumbo may not have thought his comments through, but that is still no excuse for selling out. As far as his aversion to using such rifles for hunting purposes, he's more than welcome to use whatever he wants. Just don't tell me what to use. The principles this country was founded upon such as tolerance, and understanding are gone just like common sense.:(

gd

Here's a list of direct email addys:

webmaster@outdoorlife.com
webmaster@remington.com
tommy.millner@remington.com
dawn.lorello@swarovski.com
sales@gerberblades.com
benglish@mossyoak.com
pstrickland@mossyoak.com
domain.admin@CABELAS.COM
corporate@cabelas.com
info@stoneypoint.com
hans@himtnjerky.com
kimberly@himtnjerky.com

If you write them, be polite; I doubt if any of them reviewed his words before they were posted. Simply ask them if they believe Zumbo represents their thoughts and interests any longer.

BTW, Remington has already come out and said they are immediately evaluating their relationship with Zumbo. I'd expect other sponsors to do the same.

What reputation Zumbo had in this industry is probably ruined forever. He may have published his last words unless he eats a lot of humble pie.

Rocky,

Thanks for the list! I'm in the middle of a letter to Outdoor Life as I write this. The others will get a copy as well.

gd

What an idiot.
 

With friends like him we surely don't need enemies. No more of his articles for me

letters on their way
 

I have a signed Zumbo book and elk poster (gifts) that I will happily offer to get the bonfire started ! :mad:

A couple things that I see. First, this guy has no clue as to what he is talking about. When he says that hunters would be better served with a a boltgun etc., because it is lighter than the ar-15 styles, wtf?I wish my Model 70 was as light as an ar-15.

Secondly, not really pertaining to his article but some of the comments posted in his blog, the .223 is not a deer round, period. I don't care if bullet maker X came out with a "deer" bullet for the .223, it ain't a deer round. Sure it can kill deer, so can a cb cap.

Third, as to the whole anti-gun movement, who cares? Really, who cares? They aren't going to change our minds just as we aren't going to change theirs. I like guns and have guns. If I want more guns, I will get more guns. The anti's can bluster all they want, they can't do a darn thing about it unless they want push to come to shove. Until they are ready to put their money where their mouth is, I really couldn't care less.

Looks to me that he has recanted his previous feelings on that other article...go to his web site and it is there in black and white,I guess if you raise enough stink....some can be persuaded

Boy oh boy
 

Now even the Brady Campaign has gotten ahold of the comments Zumbo made. People are really Pi$$ed:mad:

What a moron. I have watched his stupid show on a couple of occassions, but I can assure you that it will happen no more. Also, it the magazine at all related to the channel? If so, I might just cancel the entire thing because that channel is starting to get pretty boring.

Wow...sometimes the most dangerous enemy can be the one you think is a friend.

The biggest ripple this will have is that he'll be quoted by the anti's forever in their attempts to ban or limit firearms ownership.

This is a wake up call for the rest of us.

I've never liked elitists. Zumbo just proved he is. I have a hard time believing that such an "expert" isn't aware of just how popular these types of rifles are. I thought I was the only guy that didn't have one. Most of my prairie dog hunting buddies have all switched over to them, one by one, from their bolt actions.

I don't care what anyone's reason is for owning one, if they want to hunt with it, more power to you. If you want to shoot pop cans as fast as you can from 200 yards, more power to you. If you want one for home defense, more power to you.

I see Zumbo is back peddling big time now, I think it's too late. He's going the way of Jimmy the Greek, Howard Cosell and Dan Rather. He's lost all credibility with the gun crowd and has a big of a chance to make it back as Michael Richards has hosting the next NAACP meeting.

If I may make suggestion...

To those who now subscribe to OL, do NOT shred or toss your renewal statements. To those who don't subscribe, go to the nearest magazine rack at your grocery and get a subscription card from an OL.

Now, send it in. But instead of checking the subscribe box, just write across it in black marker, "Not only NO, but Zumbo!" Let OL pay for the postage to get your message.

That goes for any Time-Warner product. Flood them.

He's posted a reply er, excuse...
 

See his reply he posted yesterday. Sounds like he's running for his life... and his job. He's taking some serious heat right now and his job(s) are on the line. Personally, I think he's toast.

Rocky,
I certainly don't proclaim your writing skills or writing savvy, but I respectfully request you take into consideration two things about the OL magazine.
First, the freedom of speech amendment comes into play here and I really think that an important part of the writing.
Secondly, the editor of OL, John Snow, has stated "His position that AR- and AK-style rifles don’t have a place among our “sporting arms” is not one that I personally, or Outdoor Life as a magazine, happens to share."
By blasting our displeasure with Outdoor Life by canceling subscriptions or have them pay for postage of subscription cards over one morons opinion is like throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Let's write letters and emails to his sponsors, let's slam him with thousands of blogs, but I'm not stopping shopping at Cabela's simply because of one idiots' opinion. Just because Swarovski gives him free binoculars does that mean I need to throw mine away or sell them on ebay?
One fools opinion is just that and he's back pedaling faster than he can keep up with the blogs. And I truly believe that this might be the straw that breaks the camels back because I've never like most of his opinions and this isn't the first time hes' done something stupid but it might be the last....

(I think you meant "defame" instead of "proclaim.")

The First Amendment guarantees free speech. It does not grant immunity from the results of said speech. If John Snow and the magazine disagree with Zumbo's original position, why did they allow it out? THEY have free speech, too - and that means they do NOT have to print whatever drops into the editor's inbox. A good editor pays serious attention to what any published bit will mean to his magazine, be that a libel suit, defamation of character, liability claims - or loss of advertising and subscription income.

They let Zumbo pour gasoline on the fire; they'll have to expect heat and ashes.

Very well said, Mr Raab.

This development of this whole issue is a fine example of what free speech is all about. The first amendment simply states that "...CONGRESS shall make no law..abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press..."

So long as no LAWS are passed prohibiting Jim Zumbo from ranting (or prohibiting the rest of us from peaceably responding to his rants), freedom of speech remains intact.

I agree.... Perhaps this is or was the response they were hoping to receive. We might all be talking about canceling our subscriptions, but at least we're talking... CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG!?!?!?!?:D

It seems that we here at HuntChat can.

But some of the other hunting boards are melting down with internal spit fights over this. A small but vocal contingent seems to agree with Zumbo, the main complaint being about young "hoodie" types showing up at rifle ranges with ARs and AKs just to send as much ammo downrange as fast as possible - possibly even practicing up for mayhem.

A small number of shooters would wish that such guns were less available or at least less visible to the public - to better preserve the image of the rest of shooters.

A larger body says that such behavior is unfortunate, but if we ban or hide some guns, the rest will surely be banned as well.

The antis practice their divide and conquer tactics very well, indeed.

I don't mind hearing or reading a sincere apology and then letting that person go with a "don't do that again" kind of thing. You know the type, the "I voted for it before I voted against it" kind. NOT!
But in this instance, his criticism of AR-style guns and others chaffs my butt more than the dry cold weather we've been having.
I'm tired of the worn out mis-labeling of these types of guns and their users.
His comments smack of the like of the Brady Campaign and other groups. He may retract his statements but I believe he still feels the same way as his blog states.

"I must be living in a vacuum. The guides on our hunt tell me that the use of AR and AK rifles have a rapidly growing following among hunters, especially prairie dog hunters. I had no clue."

Obviously...

"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."

He had that right, it upsets me. I guess those beautiful black lines must scare him.
He shows a lack of education on this topic as he mis-labels any military-styled arm as an assault weapon. Someone in his position should know better after the fiasco of the assult weapon ban.

"This really has me concerned. As hunters, we don't need the image of walking around the woods carrying one of these weapons."

What image? Once again he demonizes a fellow group of shooters. Heck, an M1 Garand would make an excellent deer/bear rifle in the woods here in Pa

"To most of the public, an assault rifle is a terrifying thing. Let's divorce ourselves from them. I say game departments should ban them from the praries and woods."

And the best way to make the public understand, is thru proper education and portrayal of the firearm. Something the politicians, ant-gun lobby and COMPLICIT MEDIA have failed to do.

"Sorry, folks, in my humble opinion, these things have no place in hunting."

First, who in the hail do you think are you to spout something like that?

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."

That is a pretty ridiculous argument for him to try and validate his viewpoint with. Hope he feels comfortable with the loss of revenue because he attacked his "family" with dumbass comments. I've got to wonder if because he hasn't been on the web for a long time that he didn't realize how this would turn out.

I'm surprised he didn't mention how semi-shooters "spray the woods with gunfire" or how that deer died "in a hail of bullets.
:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Looks like Jim's gonna be looking for a job. I've heard that Outdoor Life has fired him, also.
Remington

Check out the comments below his apology.
http://outdoorlife.blogs.com/zumbo/2...wrong_big.html

Apparently, Remington has severed their relationship with him. I haven't seen anything that says that Outdoor Life has. His blog is still listed on their site.

GSG

Here's something from the Brady campaign: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...1-304a7318e1a4

Its great Remmy dropped him. Now maybe they can divert those funds to reasearch on how to keep their bolt handles from falling off... ;) :D

Outdoor Life has shut down Zumbo's blog now due to the overwhelming response. :D
Now Bill McRae is supporting Zumbo.

This whole thing reminds me of the Leatherman fiasco during the last Presidential election. The owner of the company, I forget his name, took a stance in favor of Kerry and let it be known to everybody. I wrote him an e-mail before the election telling him that I would never buy another one of his products and that I was willing to bet that most of the users of his products were conservative minded. He wrote me a response stating that he was entirely willing to take the consequences of his actions and he also thought that the majority using his products were liberal. A couple months after the election, he sent out a mass e-mail apologizing for his previous position, and stating that while he took that position we should not make the employees of his company suffer as a result. Yeah right. If he doesn't want the employees of the company to suffer, he can make sure that they get paid before he does. What a crock. I saw a nice Leatherman set the other day at Wal-Mart, but refused to buy it even though it was a little bit cheaper and nicer than the Gerber they had. Mind you, I am not throwing out the leatherman multi tool that a friend gave me for participating in his wedding, but I will never say anything positive about them and I will never spend my money on one. Even steered my brother in-law away from them when he was looking for a multi-tool.

Just as people have the freedom of speech, people also have the freedom to spend their money how they like, and for me, that is not on Leatherman and it certainly is not on OL.

I am dying to buy an AR-15 and an AR-10, and might just have the money for them after this tax season. Maryland almost passed a law banning them last year, and now I have this idiot writing stuff like this. Personally, I would take an AR-10 deer hunting around here because they are almost as think as varmints. It is not unusual to see 10 to 15 at a time, and we are allowed to kill every single one of them if they do not have antlers. So why not use an AR-10?

I also understand the entire "punk" shooter issue because that is about the equivalent of one of my brothers. He has the Bushmaster AR-15, the Desert Eagle 50, several other handguns, and a Benelli SBE. I took him, a law enforcement friend of ours, and my dog to a farm to practice shooting. We got to the farm and before I knew what was going on, the two of them had taken out their Glocks and proceeded to fire them as quickly as possible. My dog jumped into the car through the open window. Thank God the window was open. I am sure the farm owner didn't like that either. However, if I have to put up with that once in a while to get people interested in shooting, so be it. We have even talked about entering 3 gun tournaments, but I just haven't had the time. Now, if I could only get him to join the NRA.

What gets me about this whole thing is his excuse for why he wrote the original post. Basically it was "I was tired and I didn't think."

I write a blog for GSI and I never write a post that I haven't given a great deal of thought too before it is posted. In my opinion it is terribly irresponsible and an insult to your readers to post something off the top of your head.

Also, it seemed to strain credibility a bit that this guy has been an NRA member for 40 years and he didn't know that people used assault rilfes to hunt and that such use was controversial. I've only been closely involved with the hunting community for about a year and I know that.

What is really sad is that his thoughtless comments will effect more than just him. What about all the people who might lose their paychecks if his television show goes off the air?

GSG

People have responsibilties in life, and what they do will ultimately hurt a lot of people. Mr. Zumba probably has a wife and kids, and they will suffer as a result of this too, along with the employees of the show, and OL. However, so will the shooting community due to his stupidity. Should we worry about all the people that will be hurt by the cancelling of his show? I say no!!!!!!!!!!

Kind of like worrying about who will be hurt if you decide to sue a doctor for amputating the wrong leg. Yeah, his wife and children might be hurt and the hospital might be hurt, but you lost a leg.

I am going to be so pissed if this comment comes up in Maryland's General Assembly if the same "assault weapons" ban is proposed this year as was last year. It will just force me to buy both guns this year, and possibly a 50 BMG rifle too.

Speaking of stupidity, how about Tim Hardaway the basketball player saying that he "Hates gay people." He is back pedaling from that comment as quick as possible and saying that he was tired when he made it. Seems as though both he and Mr. Zumbo use the same PR firm or being tired is an excuse for stupidity.

I sent Cabelas an email and got this reply....


Thank you for your comments. While Cabela’s believes everyone has the right to express their own opinions, we strongly disagree with Jim Zumbo’s February 16 posting on his Hunting with Jim Zumbo blog on Outdoor Life’s Web site.

Throughout our 46-year history, Cabela’s has firmly supported all aspects of shooting sports. We strongly support the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States and the right of every U.S. citizen to purchase, own and enjoy any legal firearm of their choosing.

While we fully support Mr. Zumbo’s First Amendment right of free speech, we believe his opinions on this matter are counter to those shared by Cabela’s and many of our customers. Cabela’s Legal Department is currently reviewing contractual obligations and commitments regarding our sponsorship of the Jim Zumbo Outdoors television show.

Have a great day.


Sounds like they may be trying to do the right thing.

My response from Gerber:

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/2...rong_big.html.

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


Sounds like they are ignoring the issue. I'll ignore them.;)

A bigger issue is that his retraction didn't say anything about the "terrorists" he labeled in the initial statement. Hmmm...

gd

Well, this dude isn't going to attend any of his seminars!Usually, the term 'eat themselves' pertains to politicians!
Dan
:mad:

Fabs

Your response above mirrors my feelings about the EBAY, Paypal issue.

I vote with my pocketbook also. Also it was not my intention to crap in anybodys mess kit when I said what I did about those two organizations. I am just an extremely loyal persaon when it comes to firearms and legislation that affects them. I am a hard headed German to the Max. I am very firm in my beliefs.

Best wishes, Bill

Assault weapons bills
 

Hate to tell you Fabs but there is already an Assault weapons ban bill in the Md General Assembly It's Senate Bill 43. They didn't waste anytime on that one did they. They had it prefiled before the legislature even opened. Usually a 100 or so bills pre filed every year. Better get in your sock and go buy one now. I got a Bushmaster varminter at Cabela's last January(06) at the Cabela's in Hamburg. Wouldn't let me have the 30 rounder that came with it though. I do have a Colt if you are interested. Unfired too....Bring two socks!!
Link

http://mlis.state.md.us/2007rs/billfile/sb0043.htm

Stupid stupid stupid

:rolleyes: :confused: :mad:

This crap really pisses me off. I just sent this to my state rep.

Mr. Garagiola,

I’ll start off by stating that I oppose Senate Bill 43 and any restriction on the sale of possession of firearms by law abiding citizens. If I am not mistaken, part of your campaign last year relied on common sense legislation, wherein you were very careful not to set forth that you are a democrat. I too believe in common sense legislation and believe that political party affiliation should not block it. However, I do not believe that this bill is common sense legislation. I also believe your campaign relied on the fact that you had been involved in the military. As such, I am sure you are aware that none of these “assault” weapons commit crimes. Further, how many crimes were committed in 2006 with the “assault” weapons listed in the proposed Md. Code Ann. Pub. Safety §5-101? I am willing to bet that more people died in the State of Maryland last year from aggressive driving than from the assault weapons listed in Senate Bill 43. Maybe, just maybe, if you can provide me with some facts on why you support this bill, I might not be so against it. If it is just the mere fear of these “weapons”, then I have no support for it. As an example, please do not provide me with the 2001 sniper shooting case because I think that was a terrible screw up on law enforcement’s part and the chief of police for Montgomery County who later wrote a book about the entire matter.

When I am not practicing law or accountancy, or preparing tax returns, I spend the rest of my time with my family and/or outdoors. I am an avid outdoorsman, and I spend a lot of time and money on cycling, hunting, shooting, fishing, and boating, in no particular order. I have been hunting and shooting with my father since I was five (5) years old, and have been using firearms since I was seven (7) years old. Firearms were a big part of our trips to the “country” and they continue to be a big part of my life. I still hunt and shoot with my father, brothers, and sisters whenever I get the chance. While I prefer shooting sporting clays at several ranges around the state, with the majority of my shooting being at Prince Georges County Trap & Skeet right by NASA in Greenbelt, I would not hesitate to take time out to go shooting with my brother and try out his Bushmaster AR-15.

Senate Bill 43 mentions Bushmaster semi-automatic rifles, but does not designate AR-15 or AR-10. Is this merely a cute way of getting uninformed people to think that AR-15’s and AR-10’s are not being banned, or is it that the only AR-15 and AR-10 being banned is the Bushmaster series, which is generally the cheapest of the series at around $1,000 for an entry level gun. I find it extremely hard to believe that the majority of violent crime occurring in this state is with the use of AR-15’s, AR-10’s, AR-100’s, AR180’s, Barrett light .50 cal semi autos, or the other expensive firearms that are listed in Md. Code Ann. Pub. Safety §5-101. Again, if you can provide me with some facts on this, I am willing to listen.

Last year, I was interested in buying an AR-15 and an AR-10 and was appalled to see a similar bill to Senate Bill 43 in the legislature. Luckily, it did not pass and I was not forced to spend four thousand dollars ($4,000.00) for the guns last year, and I am hoping that will be the case with Senate Bill 43 this year. I would prefer to buy them when money is not an issue (i.e., I have a baby daughter on the way). Please take note that I am adamantly against this bill and I do reside in your district. In fact, my father and brother have been clients of Paul Stein and I have referred other criminal cases to Mr. Stein on occasion. In fact, I have lived in this community my entire life. If I am not mistaken, you have moved here from Michigan. I attended elementary, intermediate, and high school in this county. I went to the University of Maryland for undergrad and the University of Baltimore School of Law, and have remained in this county after graduating law school. In fact, most of my clients are from this county. My parents, brothers, and sisters continue to reside in this county too. In your campaign literature, you seemed like a stand up guy, so get tough on criminals, not on gun owners. For the most part, gun owners are law abiding citizens, and to merely ban us from having these guns does not mean a criminal will not be able to get them some where else. At one time, the federal government had banned most of these weapons, and that ban was allowed to die when the sunset provision came into effect. I have not noticed an increase in crime from the allowed sale of these weapons. Spend more time building jails for criminals and instituting longer mandatory sentences, instead of spending time taking guns away from law abiding citizens. Be tough on criminals, don’t make law abiding citizens criminals merely because they do not register their “assault” weapons by December 1, 2007.

I could probably write a lot more about this subject since I am so passionate about it, but my clients’ tax returns are calling. I apologize if this e-mail is not up to legal standards, but I’m not getting paid for it and do not have time to proof read it. Maybe one day, we can sit down and talk about this matter in depth.

Very truly yours,

Fabrizio Roman

I read the rest of the replies from page 2, and agree completely. I vote with my pocket book too.

Sad thing is I figure out two years ago that I prefer Buck knives to Gerber anyway, so I wouldn't be buying any of their stuff anyway.

I have the Cabelas catalog right next to me and had two pages ear marked so I could order some t-shirts and a waterfowl decoy. Lucky for them they gave the reply they did.

I don't read the magazine and I don't care for the show anyway, so I cannot hurt them their either, but I will be sure to pick up a book and read it before I sti in front fo the tube and watch his show.


Billy,

If you can show me how ebay is bad for the shooting sports, I will be more than happy to stop buying and selling things on there.

One thing I found interesting Fabs is that eBay will let you sell firearms accessories, reloading equipment, etc, but no firearms.

From the hunting stand point you can sell bear hunts.....heck any kind of hunt, but under taxidermy you can't sell a bear rug......deer and moose heads, caribou heads, coyotes, beavers......but no bear parts of any kind.

In some misguided way they seem to think that banning the sale of all bear parts will prevent illegal trade..............yet there is no proof anything sold on eBay was legally hunted, or for that matter any item could be stolen property.

Sorry, this kind of jacks the thread, but you asked Bill.........and I am sure he has more info than my few comments above.

Skyline, see the comments in the eBay/PayPal thread.

Rocky;
All I can say is thank you sir. Good Job.

I understand that Reminton has severed ties with Mr. Zumbo and that OL has pulled down his BLOG at least temporarily. Also his other sponsers seem to be very uncomfortable with his publiziced opinion.

OTOH today, his fans seem to consist of the "Brady Bunch"...maybe he will be able to guide some of them on an Elk hunt.

Riposte

Thank you Mr Zumbo for his banning evil terrorist rifle but keeping his sporting rifle blog.

After quoting his supportive article on their website, the Brady posted 2 followups:

and then:

:mad: :mad:

Boy was there a lot of garbage in those two posts.
Wish I had the time to pick them apart but it wouldn't change their minds anyways.
thanks PigPig

Mr Zumbo really did it this time, eh? And it couldnt have happened at a worse time.

The Brady Bunch, no matter if its true of false, are taking him into the fold as a hunter on their side. No matter what Z says, that cant be changed.

For whatever reason, the 08 presidential election is in full swing already. Obama, Clinton, Rudy, McCaine, Edwards and Romney, all anti gun anyhow, are gonna run with it too.

Were in trouble folks. We dont have the numbers. Even many gun owners dont have the stomach for a fight, for whatever reason. I hate to say it, but this is the beginning of the end. I was chastised not long ago, just before the dark election of 06 for making too big of a deal of it. Saying I was off the mark for the remarks I made.

Its coming folks, right now. Get ready to get your gun license. Get ready for many of your guns to be banned. Then get ready to lose your license.

Thanks Jim. We appreciate it. :mad: