Ms. Magazine editor Michele Kort has apparently decided to pull the plug on Heidi Yewman’s three part ‘My Month with A Gun’ blog because “gun blogs” had discovered series and were highly critical of Ms. Yewman’s actions:
“So, Heidi,” began the email to Heidi Yewman from Michele Kort, her editor at Ms. Magazine. “I wanted to let you know that, in the comments to the gun-nut post below, someone put your address out there. I’ve been super careful NOT to approve any comments that mentioned where you might live.”
Yewman, a freelance writer, had written a three-part blog post for Ms. about buying a gun and carrying it everywhere she went. Yewman was clearly on the gun control side of the debate, and it’s fair to say that her posts were intended to show that it was far too easy for just about anybody to carry a gun just about anywhere. But, Kort went on to say, the comments Ms. Magazine had received were almost entirely from pro-gun advocates, and she and the small staff at Ms. were overwhelmed. Instead of leading to a high-minded debate about guns, her blog post had instead attracted insults and vituperation, and a clearly stated desire for “payback.” Other gun blogs had picked up Yewman’s post to mock it or insult it, with many commenters suggesting that the police in her hometown be called about what she was doing. Inevitably, somebody discovered—and posted—Yewman’s address.
Ok, first of all, posting Ms. Yewman’s home address and/or threatening her or Ms. Magazine: Not Cool. Not acceptable. Period.
Second, contrary to what New York Times claims the NRA didn’t defeat Ms. Yewman or Ms. Magazine – common sense did.
Look there is no requirement for someone in Washington State to complete any kind firearms training before applying for or obtaining a concealed carry license. All you have to do is show up, submit your paperwork, pay the processing fee and wait for your application to be processed.
Which is what Ms. Yewman did. She complied with the letter of law but, in doing so, ignored the moral and ethical responsibilities that come with firearms ownership.
Let me repeat that: The decision to own and carry firearm comes with tremendous moral and ethical responsibilities, simply complying with the letter of the law is not enough. You have a moral and ethical obligation to get proper training, period. Simply put, walking around with a gun on you hip and no training at all, like Ms. Yewman, is the height of irresponsibility. You’re a danger to yourself and others.
Look I get that gun control advocates like Ms. Yewman have this lopsided caricature of the NRA and gun owners in their minds that is completely detached from reality, but can we please cut through the bullshit… The NRA has, since its inception, advocated for responsible gun ownership and through a network of thousands of instructors offers training courses that teach gun owners how to safely use the tool with which they’ve chosen to defend themselves.
H/T: Jonn Lilyea, This ain’t Hell
Edit: I forgot to mention The Huffington Post will be publishing parts two and three of Ms. Yewman’s blog.