Hunting Sense

Everyone knew the fallout from the comments made by Jim Zumbo on his now defunct Outdoor Life blog would be major, but how deep it goes is somewhat surprising to me. The “terrorist” and “banning” remarks Zumbo made were bad, no doubt about it. The turmoil that’s erupted though has the potential to be more damaging to gun owners and their rights than any one of the now infamous Zumbo quotes. The thing that surprises me the most is where this turmoil is stemming from.

Gun owners, both hunting and non-hunting shooting enthusiasts, are now supplying additional ammunition for the anti-gun supporters. While there are many level headed people on both sides of the fence, there is a large number of both too busy pointing fingers and laying blame to even realize what the hell they are doing. I, for one, say it is time for the to take the time to stand back and take a look in the mirror before they continue running their mouths.

As a hunter, I am more apt to hunt with a bow than a rifle, but I also love my guns. I enjoy going out and just plinking at cans with my Ruger 10-22 and have even done so with the Jennings 9mm pistol I use to own. I hunt with a bow because I like the challenge of being so up close and personal. That fact doesn’t change the fact that I’ll always be one of the ‘They can take my gun from me when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers’ gun advocates.

It seems though, that many don’t think you can have it both ways now though. While the hunters and shooting enthusiast take pot shots (pardon the pun) at one another, they continue to state that Zumbo’s comments are what has caused irreversible damage to both of their causes, which should be the same for the most part. So what if everyone doesn’t agree exactly, that is what the right to have our own opinion is all about.

I’m tired of reading about how Zumbo’s comments created a rift between the two groups of gun owners. They did no such thing. The way that each side and the individuals within them has decided to act because of those comments is what’s creating it. Everyone says that Zumbo should step up and take blame for it: I say that they should step up and do the same.

It is also funny how Zumbo is being accused of making a half-ass apology just to save his career while the sponsors who have dropped him are being heralded as great advocates of our 2nd Amendment Right to bear arms. Yes, that may be a part of it, but the major reason they have done what they have are for the very reason people think Zumbo made his apology: money. Of course these companies will support the 2nd Amendment, because that is what put’s the money in their pockets. ANy thought of a nobler cause is just one of foolishness.

At the end of the day, when all is said and done, the only people that we have to blame for what happens is ourselves and our actions. The way we are acting right now, we are giving the anti-gun people everything they want. Not only that, but people that only pay attention when something happens is seeing the worst side of us that we could show.

All I have to say right now is grow up and act appropriately. The disgrace may have began with Jim Zumbo and his remarks, but it’s continuation and severe fallout is on the shoulders of the people fighting within our own ranks of gun owners.

Proof is evident in the following recent newspaper articles about the entire ordeal.

Green Bay Press Gazette
Lake County News-Sun
The Chattanoogan

hunting, Jim Zumbo, anti-gun, controversy, legislation, gun bans, assualt rifles, semi-automatic rifles, NRA