gun control

Guns & Ammo Fires Writer for Gently Suggesting a Tiny Bit of Regulation; Editor Resigns in Shame

Guns & Ammo, a popular magazine about firearms, does not welcome a diversity of ideas. In fact, it actively seeks to stamp them out. Contributing editor Dick Metcalf, a veteran of Shooting Times, has been straight-up fired for his December back-page opinion column titled, mildly, “Let’s Talk Limits.” Guns & Ammo does not talk limits.

In the article, Metcalf writes that “way too many gun owners still seem to believe that any regulation of the right to keep and bear arms is an infringement,” noting that “all constitutional rights are regulated, always have been, and need to be.” He adds, “I firmly believe that all U.S. citizens have a right to keep and bear arms, but I do not believe that they have a right to use them irresponsibly.” The nerve of this man!

In conclusion, Metcalf makes clear that these are just one man’s thoughts: “I don’t think that requiring 16 hours of training to qualify for a concealed carry license is infringement in and of itself,” he writes. “But that’s just me …” Can you believe it?

Guns & Ammo readers cannot believe it. His take sparked a response that could be accurately described as a mob with semi-automatic pitchforks

It worked. “Dick Metcalf has had a long and distinguished career as a gunwriter, but his association with Guns & Ammo has officially ended,” writes the magazine’s editor Jim Bequette in “a personal apology” to readers, insisting, “No excuses, no backtracking.”

I made a mistake by publishing the column. I thought it would generate a healthy exchange of ideas on gun rights. I miscalculated, pure and simple. I was wrong, and I ask your forgiveness.

But the groveling apology and sacrifice to the Gun Gods were not enough: The editor also fell on his sword. (Er, gun?) “Plans were already in place for a new editor to take the reins of Guns & Ammo on January 1,” says Bequette. “However, these recent events have convinced me that I should advance that schedule immediately.” It’s time to put the guns and ammo back in Guns & Ammo.

Again, this all stems from one guy saying maybe weapons could be handled more carefully, in case you were wondering about the current state of the gun-control conversation in this country.

Guns & Ammo Fires Writer for Regulation Column