David Yeagley is the great-great-grandson of Comanche leader Bad Eagle. 
The issue over guns is rising again. Whenever the US Government tries to ban guns from its citizens, it gets a rise from the patriots. The issue ranges in prinicple from no banning of private ownership of any kind of guns to banning of all firearms from American citizens.
The latest round is over HR 1022, a recent bill created by Representative Carolyn McCarthy (Democrate, N.Y. 4th District). The NRA calls it the most sweeping gun ban ever. (Note that there were no co-sponsors. It bans all automatic and semi-automatic firearms, rifes or pistols, from public ownership. It is a dramatic expansion of the original Clinton initiative. In 1995, even Nanci Pelosi voted against that! “Regulation by strangulation,” she called it.
The great white hunter, Jim Zumbo
A critical player in the issue now is, ironically, one of the greatest proponents of gun ownership, Jim Zumbo. A great white hunter, Zumbo recently made most controversial comments on ‘assault’ (automatic) weapons. The occasion was the fact that some hunters had used machine guns (actually, M-16s and A-K 47s) to “knock off” prairie dogs and coyotes–quite pestilential ‘group’ varments that need a lot more than a single shot .22 to be effective on them. Zumbo reacted with vehemence, and said these guns were not hunting guns, and they gave a bad image to hunters. The clincher was when he said they should be banned from the prairies and the woods.
This cost Jim his professional relationship with OutdoorLife, which sponsored the blog in which Jim wrote his reaction to the automatic weapons in the hunting field. Jim was raked over the coals by Tom Gresham’s Talk Guns radio show as well. Ted Nugent, famed rock star and gun advocate, took shots at Jim also. In fact, Gresham had Nugent on his radio show recently. (I heard the Sunday broadcast in Oklahoma City, but it was taped. I wanted to call in! Here’s the tape of the February 18th show in which Jim addresses the reaction to his comments.)
The 2nd Amendment is perfectly clear on the right of citizens to own firearms. There is no distinction made on the type of weapons, and certainly nothing is said about any distinction between self-defence and hunting. In those days, hunting was a way of survival for many people. Taking away weapons was taking away food. The thought surely never occurred to the writers of the 2nd Amendment. They were thinking about the need and right of people to protect themselves from foreign invasions, or from a corrupted, tyrannical government.
I have been an advocate of gun ownership from the beginning of my work in journalism. “Warriors and Weapons” was one of my first articles on FrontPageMagazine. I’ve wanted Indians to take more of an active role in supporting gun ownership. I mean, look what happened to us when we handed over our weapons!
I have defended the 2nd Amendment on various college campuses in the country. I’m scheduled to address the issue at Florida State University, April 10, (as well as the Indian mascot issue). As I see it, however, the NRA, Ted Nugent, Tom Gresham, and most other advocates, all leave out the real conflict within the American’s psyche: Can a Christian pull the trigger? This is the title of one of the speeches I give on the subject of guns. Owing a gun, much less using it, presents a conflict of images in the minds of many. Is there some “Association of Christian Riflemen” out there? Is there a “Christian Gun Club?” Would the irony be unbearable?
I say this to Christians: you have a choice. You can be a free Christian, or you can be a persecuted, imprisoned Christian. If you want to be free, it will cost something. Historically, it cost the Revolutionary War. It was the price of creating a new country.
It is possible that more people would support gun ownership if they had a clearer understanding of the Christian’s relationship to guns. They need to know the history of the country, when Christians were required by law not only to show up for church, but to do so with arms in hand, with led. Each man was required to be able to use the weapon effectively.
Today, Leftists and opponents of gun ownership like to dissemblingly use Christianity as a hammer to humiliate and intimidate “good people” from owning guns. Most people don’t have a ready answer for such a heavy polemic against guns. The obvious lessons of history do not fair well with the overwhelming emotion of the do-gooders, that is, the Leftists, and their tyrannical psychology.
For now, the Indian voice in this matter is unheard. The Christian voice is unheard. Advocates of gun owership defend the position solely on the power of the 2nd Amendment. It is truly amazing that they have done as well as they have without the deeper perspectives.
Here are some blogs on the Zumbo controversy:
King’s Outdoor World Blog
Zumbo in Hot Water
The Michael Bane Blog (contains the entire Zumbo blog)
Washington Post: Terrorist Remarks Put Outdoorsman’s Career in Jeopardy
The original blog of Zumbo has been removed from OutdoorLife.com. The above reprinting on Michael Bane’s Blog is the most accessible version presently available. On Quarterbore.Net forums, you can find part of Zumbo’s apology. It has also been removed from various sites, apparently.
27 responses so far ↓
1 Nadine // Mar 4, 2007 at 8:26 pm
What I would like you to address is this — how come so many youngsters are able to acquire guns so easily nowadays?
When I was in highschool (back in the 80’s), kids fought with their fists, NOT their guns!
Nowadays you go to a school & they have a police officer there checking for guns, a detector, et al.
What a sad commentary on the times in which we live…
2 David Yeagley // Mar 4, 2007 at 10:47 pm
The deaths caused by guns, among youth, is one of the very smallest statistics ever. Deaths among youth are cause by accidents (like drownings), drunk driving, drug OD’s, and suicide. The gun thing is so minescule that it’s hardly worth mentioning. It’s really that small. I’ll try to post some stats here.
Police would do well to be able to check mental states! Kids that act out are kids with one or no parents, or parents who are so psychologically out of touch with their kids that the kids are wacked out, and don’t understand reality.
Parents have neglected children. That’s the problem. A kid really needs a lot of attention and love. Without it, other forces take over.
3 KuhnKat // Mar 4, 2007 at 11:06 pm
Nadine,
as Dr. Yeagley pointed out, the issue isn’t GUNS, it is the attitude and VIOLENCE in the childrens life now a days.
When I was in school there were rarely ANY kind of weapons seen. Now there are not only guns but knives, brass knuckles, truncheons, chains, baseball bats, razors………
Again, the REAL issue isn’t a particular type of weapon, but, the attitude caused by the upbringing of the children!!
I also remember few fights among females when I was young. Now we see gangs of women beating people just like the men.
Taking the guns away from honest, sane people only guarantees that they will be unarmed when assaulted with GUNS and other weapons weilded by the criminal!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
4 "Greetings, my son!" // Mar 4, 2007 at 11:53 pm
I’m a Christian, and I have a firearm at the ready at all times.
I’ve had a carry license for ever and I never leave home without it or my equilizer.
One never really knows what they will do when presented with certain circumstances, but I believe I wouldn’t hesitate shooting a human being that I thought was putting myself, or a member of my family at risk of loosing life or limb.
As far as a “man” shooting animals with a machine guns — hell, that’s nothing but the antics of a scumbag, and I would never turn my back on him.
And the older I get, the more I realize, I never really liked men that get up mornings and leave their families to kill animals for the sake of killing animals. The ones who hunt consistently that I’ve had to deal with were all weirdos.
5 "Greetings, my son!" // Mar 4, 2007 at 11:53 pm
I’m a Christian, and I have a firearm at the ready at all times.
I’ve had a carry license for ever and I never leave home without it or my equilizer.
One never really knows what they will do when presented with certain circumstances, but I believe I wouldn’t hesitate shooting a human being that I thought was putting myself, or a member of my family at risk of loosing life or limb.
As far as a “man” shooting animals with a machine guns — hell, that’s nothing but the antics of a scumbag, and I would never turn my back on him.
And the older I get, the more I realize, I never really liked men that get up mornings and leave their families to kill animals for the sake of killing animals. The ones who hunt consistently that I’ve had to deal with were all weirdos.
6 David Yeagley // Mar 5, 2007 at 10:07 am
Interesting insights there, GMS. I’m only an amateur in this, but I respect weapons, very highly.
I for one am not exactly sure what the biblical position is for Christians. Jesus was clear that the sword was not to be used to protect Him or His people (the believers). Luke 22:38 shows that two of disciples carried weapons, even up until the night of the betrayal. Jesus later commanded them to not use their weapons. (Matthiew 26:52). Finally, on “trial,” Jesus said His kingdom was not of this world. If it were, His people would fight. (John 18:36).
I say if you fight, it isn’t for Jesus, but for the freedom to worship Him. This freedom must never be taken for granted. If you want to worship Jesus in freedom and peace, you have to pay a price.
7 ecology // Mar 5, 2007 at 10:44 am
GMS, I agree its the upbringing. Babies are raising babies now. The time has come and gone where Americans needed to start having children in their 30’s and having none, one or two. I was raised in the stix and with a rich outdoor heritage. And I agree shooting animals with machine guns is chimp behavior and sub human. The days of the last continent are over. If everyone went out and starting hunting their would not be one game animal left. Nothing. Look up human population of each state and game census’s. Youll seee the crazy difference. the new world is the old world now.
yes they are weirdos. Ive hung out and hunted with alot of these nuts and they have very little critical thibnking or conservation/environmental thought processes. Most hunters nowadays are industrialized sportsman. NOT HUNTERS. They are a walking industrial complex of oil based material possesions. Mega consumers of the earths resources. Hahaha. Hunters. yeah right. But each is own. I gave up that BS years ago. Did not like the company. Some of my family still hunts tho and each eyar the games declines. Due to suburban and urban sprawl and city sportman deluging the lands. I personally ahve nbo desire to be in a forest with hundreds of others all shooting at anything that moves. Ill hunt out here tho becuase there are still wilderness But only to take a female elk for utilitarian purposes. Its truly is a joke. I have to chuckle when is ee the camo wearing big paunch guts shooting their hand fed animals. They really look so in tune with the land. LOL. Im kinda embarassed. But the 2nd amendment is to never be messed with ever. and doc Prairie dogs a keystone species to the plains. they are the natural irrigator and airation of them. their networks underground is like a natural canal system. The prairies productivity decreases without them. Folk need to start being taught ecology and natural sciences! Its really sad these things are not known. The “primitive” indians knew this stuff! why dont we? To “advanced”? Godlike? Stupid? Lazy? hmmmm
8 ecology // Mar 5, 2007 at 10:59 am
Take away the guns from the last decent people is passive suicide. Im not accepting it. Out of my cold dead hands basically.
9 Hunter Pieper // Mar 5, 2007 at 1:52 pm
On hunting with Service Rifles,(AR15s and the like)I feel that an accurate rifle is an accurate rifle, and the current crop of Service Rfile does a very fine job at our National Matches in Camp Perry Ohio every year: see links.
http://www.usarshooters.org/images/Unk1_USAR_CampPerry.jpg
http://www.gungrabber.com/Pics/CP10.jpg
http://www.msrpa.org/msrt/CampPerryBestFinal06.jpg
http://www4.army.mil/ocpa/uploads/large/OCPA-2005-08-25-180458.jpg
http://www.anjrpc.org/images/HP-2W.jpg
Therefore hunting with said rifle is a non-issue other than looks, and of course the mindset of the shooter.
But if you take the time to look at any of the pictures, you’ll notice a lot of old age, and this is an issue, for the days of H.W. Mcbrides:
http://www.gunshowbooks.com/1241C.jpg are over and done, and unless the NRA makes a shift to create interest in the sport of shooting, its all going to end with this generation, cause let me tell you the knuckle-heads coming up nowadays haven’t a clue about anything regarding freedom and what it means. They actually yearn for socialism.
The NRA spends so much time and money talking politics, and not enough time pushing the sport. Give a kid a sport and a hero in the sport to lookup to, and you’ve given him a purpose.
Thanks for the Article Doc, Although I must say I don’t think Christians have as much trouble pulling that trigger to defend home and hearth as you may think… There were a lot of Christians in the War between the States.
Regards
Hunter
10 ecology // Mar 5, 2007 at 3:08 pm
its true. Kids need to be taught firearm safety and hands on outdoor lifestyle EARLY. We carried guns and knives and machetes when we were old enough to walk. If we ever pointed one at someone we got clubbed upside the head. And not this atv/off road 4by4 “outdoor” lifestyle nonsense. The lobbying of these industries are deep in the halls of washington dc. Or its all gone in one or two generations. And that is the end of America. America was all about wilderness and the freedom of the rurality and the commons. The commons have been raped to death. urban enslavement is not freedom or what defind America. Every 2.2 million acres a year that is paved is a nail in the coffin of America. 2.2 million acres a year goes from wild/rural/agriculture to urban each year! Bang! another nail in the coffin. Bang! The NRA are really just another political profit machine now. Just like all else associated with defending the constitution and its decent people. Sell out! ponzi!
However its all we got for defending the 2nd so ill stay a member. But the stuffy photo ops talking heads that are the core of the NRA make me want to hurl. Not much of those urban cowboys I connect with. They portray themselves in there like they are so WE the people and rightous. Blah! I see them as a bunch of imperialists. They seem to really like the lord and manor setup as well. Le phew, frumpman and the others. Its all we got tho.
11 Tom // Mar 5, 2007 at 7:10 pm
“The deaths caused by guns, among youth, is one of the very smallest statistics ever.”
Isn’t even a single death of a child by firearm one too many?
12 Katherine // Mar 5, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Tom writes: “Isn’t even a single death of a child by firearm one too many?”
If a man breaks your legs with a baseball bat, is the baseball bat responsible for breaking your legs? If he stabs you with a kitchen knife, is the kitchen knife repsonsible for stabbing you? It is not the firearm that killed these children. It is the one who pulled the trigger that killed them! Don’t blame the gun! Blame the one who pulled the trigger! If it’s another child who pulled the trigger, than blame the parents who don’t teach proper gun safety to their children!
13 David Yeagley // Mar 5, 2007 at 9:53 pm
Tom, I don’t quite see the logic there, though I agree with the premise–life is precious. So, whatever takes the life should be disallowed?
Taking guns away seems immediate and effective, but what about alcohol, car keys, drugs, cash, etc.? Logically, these that the things that kill, therefore, they should be disallowed to youth.
What do you think about morality by numbers? Are 10 lives more precious than one? Is the death of one less important than ten?
Either way, alcohol, car keys, drugs, cash, etc., would have to be disallowed, same as guns.
14 "Greetings, my son!" // Mar 5, 2007 at 10:34 pm
The fact of the matter is, guns help children by protecting the lives of their parents the children need to raise them.
The problem is the left MsM never reports on the crimes averted by a citizen brandishing a firearm in their home and else where.
15 "Greetings, my son!" // Mar 5, 2007 at 10:34 pm
The fact of the matter is, guns help children by protecting the lives of their parents the children need to raise them.
The problem is the left MsM never reports on the crimes averted by a citizen brandishing a firearm in their home and else where.
16 David Yeagley // Mar 5, 2007 at 10:56 pm
Exactly right, GMS. We never hear of the stats of lives SAVED by guns used in self-defense. In Richard Poe’s Seven Myths of Gun Control (2003) he does list some stats.
17 Tom // Mar 5, 2007 at 11:19 pm
The sentence “The deaths caused by guns, among youth, is one of the very smallest statistics ever” seems to diminish the importance of young lives taken by firearms. You may speak, if you wish, about the taking away of guns or not(”So, whatever takes the life should be disallowed?”) but that was not my question.
So, isn’t even a single death of a child by firearm one too many? Or does statistical insignificance trump the taking of a young life?
18 Nadine // Mar 6, 2007 at 12:57 am
I see no one has yet addressed what I asked:
How come so many youngsters ARE ABLE TO *A-C-Q-U-I-R-E* GUNS SO EASILY NOWADAYS?
I didn’t ask for stats or talk about death by youth, et al.
19 "Greetings, my son!" // Mar 6, 2007 at 2:08 am
Calm down Daisey Duck!
I’ll take a crack at your question.
The availability of guns “per capita” to the young was greater years ago in this nations history, than it is now. I would also add that the gun laws were near non-existent.
The availability of guns was greater, and yet the neferious use of guns by the young was astronomically less — therefore, the availability of guns to the young has nothing to do with the criminal use of guns.
It’s all in the up bringing of the young, and the influence of the Christ or the AntiChrist if you ask me, which in a way, you did.
20 "Greetings, my son!" // Mar 6, 2007 at 2:08 am
Calm down Daisey Duck!
I’ll take a crack at your question.
The availability of guns “per capita” to the young was greater years ago in this nations history, than it is now. I would also add that the gun laws were near non-existent.
The availability of guns was greater, and yet the neferious use of guns by the young was astronomically less — therefore, the availability of guns to the young has nothing to do with the criminal use of guns.
It’s all in the up bringing of the young, and the influence of the Christ or the AntiChrist if you ask me, which in a way, you did.
21 David Yeagley // Mar 6, 2007 at 9:50 am
Tom, you questions is myopic and a red herring at best. You seem unable to reasons accurately here. Isn’t the life of one youth, taken by drunk driving, enough to remove all keys, all cars, and all alcohol?
Until you respond to this reflection on your ill-formed question, there is not point it trying to reason. You’re not willing to. Obviously.
I am assuming you are anti-gun. Am I mistaken on that point?
22 Tom // Mar 6, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Dave, you wrote: “The deaths caused by guns, among youth, is one of the very smallest statistics ever…The gun thing is so minescule that it’s hardly worth mentioning. It’s really that small…”
The The above quote seems to diminish the importance of young lives taken by firearms.
So, isn’t even a single death of a child by firearm one too many? Or does statistical insignificance trump the taking of a young life?
My questions are quite clear. And they are only questions, not arguments, thus, not “red herrings.”
If you are incapable or unwilling to answer simple questions, why not just say so? Your diversionary stance is unnecessary and unbecoming of intelligent discussion.
23 Nadine // Mar 6, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Thanks, Greetings my Son, for not being condescending, but rather taking me seriously (much much appreciated). (:^)
As regards guns, I just don’t like the fact that kids in school have easy access to them, which is why there are now metal detectors & cops patroling at schools nowadays.
That said, I personally do not mind if people have a gun for protection, even though my family never has owned one (beebee gun, yes, gun, no). I just know that I have no qualms about protecting me & my loved ones, with a gun, if the occasion ever arose.
Peace, Nadine
24 "Greetings, my son!" // Mar 7, 2007 at 3:31 am
You know Doctor, I just thought of something. And before it dies of loneliness I thought I would pass it by you.
You’re warning for Christians to not allow their misguided beliefs as it relates to the use of guns for survival (my interpretation), has a quantifiable, real world example of a lesson to be learned.
In recent years in Africa, Moslems and Communists have disarmed Christians just before they slaughtered them.
25 "Greetings, my son!" // Mar 7, 2007 at 3:31 am
You know Doctor, I just thought of something. And before it dies of loneliness I thought I would pass it by you.
You’re warning for Christians to not allow their misguided beliefs as it relates to the use of guns for survival (my interpretation), has a quantifiable, real world example of a lesson to be learned.
In recent years in Africa, Moslems and Communists have disarmed Christians just before they slaughtered them.
26 "Greetings, my son!" // Mar 7, 2007 at 4:03 am
“Shoot, shoot, shoot,” Father Giorgio Giorgi said from the pulpit of his church.
For all you Christians not willing to heed the Doctors wisdom. How about Christ’s.
http://www.keepandbeararms.com/information/XcIBViewItem.asp?ID=3501
Great post Doctor, it made me think and want to explore!
27 "Greetings, my son!" // Mar 7, 2007 at 4:03 am
“Shoot, shoot, shoot,” Father Giorgio Giorgi said from the pulpit of his church.
For all you Christians not willing to heed the Doctors wisdom. How about Christ’s.
http://www.keepandbeararms.com/information/XcIBViewItem.asp?ID=3501
Great post Doctor, it made me think and want to explore!
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