The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Lawrence Keeney on March 23, 2007, 11:38:34 AM
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Zumbo's comments read into Congressional Record
Congressional Record (Senate) ^ | 3/20/07 | n/a
ASSAULT WEAPONS
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, the National Rifle Association leadership has stated repeatedly that a ban on assault weapons is ineffective and unnecessary. They assert that guns labeled as assault weapons are rarely used in violent crimes and that most people use them for hunting. However, despite these repeated assertions, the list of people speaking out against assault weapons continues to grow.
Jim Zumbo, an outdoors entrepreneur who lives in a log cabin near Yellowstone National Park, has spent much of his life writing for prominent outdoor magazines, delivering lectures across the country and who starred in a highly rated TV show about big-game hunting. Jim has been an NRA member for 40 years, and, according to his Web site, has appeared with NRA officials in 70 cities across the country. This relationship changed drastically when Jim expressed his commonsense opinion on assault weapons. Last month, after learning that some hunters were using assault weapons to hunt prairie dogs, Jim expressed his thoughts in his personal blog on the Outdoor Life magazine website. He wrote:
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 continued by stating that in his:
. . . humble opinion, these things have no place in hunting. 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. We’ve always been proud of our ‘‘sporting firearms.’’
The reaction from NRA officials was swift and callous. They immediately severed all ties with Mr. Zumbo. His TV program on the Outdoor Channel was canceled, and his longtime career with Outdoor Life magazine ended. In addition, many of his corporate ties to the biggest names in gun making, such as Remington Arms Co., were terminated.
Jim Zumbo has worked for years to improve the image of outdoorsmen. As he put it:
As hunters, we don’t need the image of walking around the woods carrying one of these weapons. 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 prairies and woods.
We all owe Jim Zumbo a debt of gratitude for his forthrightness, his honesty and his courage. We must put the safety of our communities first by taking up and
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Now lets see if Mr. Zumbo truly becomes the "educated advocate" that he is professing, who has come to the realization that his comments were so absurdly off base that he needs to educate the hunting community of the truth. Rest assured that even if he does attempt to correct his mistake, the anti-gun community will suddenly find him lacking credibility once the argument doesn't suit their needs. You can bet that he will not receive any air time in the public press who carry their own agenda. This man has done more damage with his idiotic statements than we can measure. It is going to be like climbing Everest going forward.
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Zumbo really shot himself in the foot with those comments. He lost every sponser he had, as well as being fired from every outdoor magazine he wrote for, including Shooting Illustrated, a NRA publication. I would say he regrets what he said, but just like we must be accountable for every bullet we fire, he must be accountable for whatever comes out of his mouth (or pen).
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"Zumbo really shot himself in the foot with those comments"
The problem is he shot us too.
CAMO.
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As it were his comments read into the record he should apply to make a statement before the House to redress his error.
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If he meant what he said after his world starting crashing down around him will his lame excuses rectify ANYTHING if he did get a response read into the record?
Anybody think he has the guts to even TRY to clean this mess up in front of Congress?
Even though the media will NOT come public with a statement by him to shed light on his change of heart ( IF he really does have such a change) at least if it gets put in the record the NRA can rebutt with it.
I HOPE he tries as this thing is NOT going away.
Thanks again ZUMBO.
HBMan
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Mr. Zumbo has appearantly begun attempting to redeem himself after his attack on "terrorist weapons". Below has been copied and pasted from another board that I frequent. Unfortunately there is no link, but the original poster is one that I would consider trustworthy.
February 28, 2007
Mr. Alan Gottlieb, Chairman
Citizens Committee for the
Right to Keep and Bear Arms
12500 N.E. Tenth Place
Bellevue, WA 98005
Dear Alan:
They say that hindsight is always 20-20. In my case, hindsight has been a hard teacher, like the father teaching the son a lesson about life in the wood shed.
I was wrong when I recently suggested that wildlife agencies should ban semiautomatic firearms I erroneously called “assault rifles” for hunting. I insulted legions of my fellow gun owners in the process by calling them “terrorist rifles.” I can never apologize enough for having worn blinders when I should have been wearing bifocals.
But unlike those who would destroy the Second Amendment right to own a firearm – any firearm – I have learned from my embarrassing mistake. My error should not be used, as it has been in recent days by our common enemies, in an effort to dangerously erode our right to keep and bear arms.
I would hope instead to use this spotlight to address my hunting fraternity, many of whom shared my erroneous position. I am a hunter and like many others I had the wrong picture in mind. I associated these firearms with military action, and saw not hunting as I have known it, not the killing of a varmint, but the elimination of the entire colony. Nothing could be further from the truth, but I know from whence it comes. This ridiculous image, formed in the blink of an eye, exerts and unconscious effect on all decisions that follow. In seeking to protect our hunting rights by guarding how we are seen in the public eye, I lost sight of the larger picture; missed the forest for the trees.
My own lack of experience was no excuse for ignoring the fact that millions of Americans – people who would share a campfire or the shelter of their tent, and who have hurt nobody – own, hunt with and competitively shoot or collect the kinds of firearms I so easily dismissed.
I recently took a “crash course” on these firearms with Ted Nugent, to learn more about them and to educate myself. In the process, I learned about the very real threat that faces all American gun owners.
I’ve studied up on legislation now in Congress that would renew and dangerously expand a ban on many types of firearms. The bill, HR 1022 sponsored by New York Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, is written so broadly that it would outlaw numerous firearms and accessories, including a folding stock for a Ruger rifle. I understand that some of the language could ultimately take away my timeworn and cherished hunting rifles and shotguns as well as those of all American hunters.
The extremist supporters of HR 1022 don’t want to stop criminals. They want to invent new ones out of people like you and me with the simple stroke of a pen. They will do anything they can to make it impossible for more and more American citizens to legally own any firearm.
Realizing that what I wrote catered to this insidious attack on fellow gun owners has, one might say, “awakened a sleeping giant within me, and filled him with a terrible resolve.”
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.
Enclosed, you will find a check that is intended to be used to fight and defeat HR 1022. I also hope it inspires other gun owners to “do as I do, not as I say.”
I’m putting my money where my mouth should have been, and where my heart and soul have always been. I know the Second Amendment isn’t about hunting and never has been. My blunder was in thinking that by working to protect precious hunting rights I was doing enough. I promise it will never happen again.
I don’t know what lies over the horizon for me. I am not ready for the rocking chair.
I’m going to devote every ounce of my energy to this battle. 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. I will educate fellow outdoorsmen who mistakenly think like I talked, even if I have to visit every hunting camp and climb into every duck blind and deer stand in this country to get it done. I was wrong, and I’m going to make it right.
Sincerely,
Jim Zumbo
My reply to the various retorts to this assumed apology from Mr. Zumbo follows:
I would like to think it possible for a man to redeem himself to his friends and colleague's so long as he realizes the error of his ways and is willing to "fall on his own sword", in this case his words. Though I am not a hunter, nor do I own any of the "terrorist rifles" as he described them in his blog, it isn't just those aforementioned weapons that are the intended victim of H.R. 1022. I think he now realizes that his precious hunting tools will soon be rendered to the collective as assault weapons.
It will take time for his salt to leave the wound, and for now it still stings, but so long as he works to right his wrong, and isn't just mouthing the words, he may just be able to redeem himself in the eyes of the shooting community. Some will be more forgiving than others, some may not forgive at all. I think it fair to cast a judgemental eye until his actions do come to light. For now, we as one are angry and bearing a grudge, but once the man redeems himself, allow us to forgive...but never forget.
You can (should be able to) read more at http://www.combatcarry.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=21802 (http://www.combatcarry.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=21802)
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My reply to the various retorts to this assumed apology from Mr. Zumbo follows:
I would like to think it possible for a man to redeem himself to his friends and colleague's so long as he realizes the error of his ways and is willing to "fall on his own sword", in this case his words. Though I am not a hunter, nor do I own any of the "terrorist rifles" as he described them in his blog, it isn't just those aforementioned weapons that are the intended victim of H.R. 1022. I think he now realizes that his precious hunting tools will soon be rendered to the collective as assault weapons.
It will take time for his salt to leave the wound, and for now it still stings, but so long as he works to right his wrong, and isn't just mouthing the words, he may just be able to redeem himself in the eyes of the shooting community. Some will be more forgiving than others, some may not forgive at all. I think it fair to cast a judgemental eye until his actions do come to light. For now, we as one are angry and bearing a grudge, but once the man redeems himself, allow us to forgive...but never forget.
I for one am more than willing to forgive him his sin. How can I do anything else? But as purple88jy stated, forgetting, and dealing with the consequences, and trusting Zumbo, will take a long, long time.
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Zumbo was on Spirt of the Wild last night shooting the lovely Mrs Nugents pink and black AR-15. I'm sorry but I'm having a tough time buying the new improved Zumbo. I'm not sure he's sorry he got caught instead of sorry that he did the crime. It would have been better to lay low, listen and learn for 6-12 months than proclaiming yourself the next great prophet of the 2nd amendment. You hosed us all, Jimbo!
Gerry
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If our house be on fire, without inquiring whether it was fired from within or without, we must try to extinguish it.
Thomas Jefferson, letter to James Lewis, Jr., May 9, 1798
3rd president of US (1743 - 1826)
I really think this quote applies well to the whole Zumbo situation. Our house is on fire, we are constantly under attacked by anti-gunners. Since our 2nd amendment rights are diminishing on a day to day basis we can not afford to take a true lover of firearms and ship him out of our flock for one misspoken word. He was ignorant he admitted to it, I do think it still needs to be done more adamantly and publicly in order to make it clear that he made a mistake. Once he has put out that fire, because there is an even bigger blaze right around the corner we do not have time to rest and let the scars heal. We need to be fighting the larger blaze now not later.
-Jose
http://idpashooter.blogspot.com (http://idpashooter.blogspot.com)
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We don't need him preaching to the choir! WE KNOW that Semiautos are not assault weapons.
Being visible on shows geared to hunters and shooters isn't going to influence the antis or the Media.
He has to make a REAL effort to get it across to the antis, the media AND Congress NOW.If he REALLY wants to turn this around like he SAYS he does he will have to be heard LOUD and CLEAR with the persistence and determination the people that want our rights are committed to doing!
ZUMBO,GET OUT AND MAKE SOME NOISE IN THE PLACES IT WILL HELP!!!!
Then we can talk about forgetting!!.
HBMan
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From "The Outdoor wire"
Zumbo Fires Back At Senator Levin
In February, hunter and outdoorsman Jim Zumbo enraged shooters across the United States with comments appearing his now-discontinued blog on Outdoor Life. Since that fateful blog, Zumbo's professional life has changed - profoundly. A marquee career in hunting has effectively been reduced to nothingness. Television sponsors bolted, contracts were cancelled and a former front-man for hunting found himself the object of hatred and ridicule by shooters who felt betrayed by his comments.
Zumbo hasn't tried to shift the blame to anyone else. In fact, he pledged to go on the offensive to fight HR 1022, the newly introduced and significantly broadened, assault weapons ban.
Last week, Michigan Senator Carl Levin, a staunch opponent of firearms, used Zumbo's remarks to attack firearms owners, reading portions into the Congressional Record. Zumbo has fired back, sending an open letter to the United States Senate that responds to Levin's action and makes it plain that Zumbo isn't letting that action pass.
Last night, Zumbo provided us a copy of his response to Senator Levin. Today, in the sense of fairness, we offer it in its entirety - without comment.
An Open Letter to the United States Senate
Dear Honorable Ladies and Gentlemen:
It recently came to my attention that one of your colleagues, Michigan Sen. Carl Levin, has chosen to attack firearms owners using remarks I wrote in mid-February as his launch pad. As you probably know, Sen. Levin has been making anti-gun speeches every week for the past eight years because of a promise he made to the Economic Club of Detroit in May 1999.
Mr. Levin has an agenda, and he should have spoken to me before using my name in one of his speeches, especially since his remarks were entered into the Congressional Record. I would like my remarks here entered into the Congressional Record as well.
Sen. Levin is only one of 16 members of the Senate to vote against the Vitter Amendment to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. This amendment prohibits the confiscation of a privately-owned firearm during an emergency or major disaster when possession of that gun is not prohibited under state or federal law.
Eighty-four senators voted for that amendment, inspired by the egregious confiscation of firearms from the citizens of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina in the summer of 2005. Those seizures, you will recall, led the Second Amendment Foundation and National Rifle Association to join in a landmark civil rights lawsuit in federal court that brought the confiscations to an abrupt end.
The taking of private property without warrant or probable cause - even firearms - was considered an outrage by millions of American citizens, and yet Sen. Levin joined 15 of his colleagues in voting against this measure. It is no small wonder that Sen. Levin gets an "F" rating from gun rights organizations. He would have American citizens disarmed and left defenseless at a time when they need their firearms the most, when social order collapses into anarchy and protecting one's self and one's family is not simply a right and responsibility, it becomes a necessity.
That in mind, Sen. Levin must know that almost immediately after I wrote those remarks, I recanted and apologized to the millions of Americans who lawfully and responsibly own, compete with and hunt with semi-automatic rifles. I took a "crash course" on these firearms and visited with my good friend Ted Nugent on his ranch in Texas, where I personally shot an AR-15 and educated myself with these firearms.
Some of us learn from our mistakes, others keep making them. Legislation to which Sen. Levin alluded, HR 1022, would renew the ban on so-called "assault weapons," and dangerously expand it to encompass far more perfectly legal firearms. For the Congress of the United States to even consider such legislation is an affront to every law-abiding firearms owner in this country.
This legislation that Sen. Levin appears to endorse is written so broadly as outlaw not only firearms, but accessories, including a folding stock for a Ruger rifle. As I understand the language of this bill, it could ultimately take away my timeworn and cherished hunting rifles and shotguns - firearms I hope to one day pass on to my grandchildren - as well as millions of identical and similar firearms owned by other American citizens.
It is clear to me that the supporters of this legislation don't want to stop criminals. They want to invent new ones out of people like me, and many of you, and your constituents, friends, neighbors and members of your families. They will do anything they can, go to any extremes they believe necessary, to make it impossible for more and more American citizens to legally own any firearm.
In his final paragraph, Senator Levin misrepresents what I said. I never spoke in favor of a general assault weapons ban. Again, I immediately apologized for my blog statement that was exclusively directed toward hunting and not gun ownership.
I will not allow my name to be associated with this kind of attack on the Second Amendment rights of my fellow citizens.
A few weeks ago, in a letter to Alan Gottlieb, chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, I promised to educate my fellow hunters about this insidious legislation "even if I have to visit every hunting camp and climb into every duck blind and deer stand in this country to get it done."
I will amend that to add that I will bring my effort to Capitol Hill if necessary, even if I have to knock on every door and camp in every office of the United States Senate. In promoting this ban, the Hon. Carl Levin does not speak for me, or anybody I know.
Sincerely,
James Zumbo
Cody, Wyoming
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This is very encouraging to see. I'm beginning to warm up to Mr. Zumbo again.....I just hope he keeps the pressure on Congress and his words are given the same amount of weight and attention as his damaging comments.