Responding to a review of her book Imaginary Weapons which contrasted
hafnium bomb development against the invention of the Gatling gun, the
author responded:
Sorry for my late reply. I really liked and appreciated the review, and
just got the magazine in the mail yesterday, and am greatly enjoying it.
Since it's not carried in any bookstore around here, I think I'll opt for
a subscription.
The Gatling gun story is fascinating; it's funny how there is a connecting
thread in these stories. I've attached a very long version of a draft story
I wrote several years ago about a gun concept called, "Metal Storm."
This version was never published, though I did write a much shorter
version for Defense Technology International, the magazine I used to
edit.
All the best,
Sharon Weinberger
New York, NY
I’d like to say thank you for sending over a copy of your publication.
It contains a number of excellent articles about the complicated and
nuanced issue of guns in America .
I found the article “Talking About Guns, Fighting About Race” to be a
particularly fascinating look at why both mainstream gun camps fail
minority populations. As a white male who has been writing for this
Black publication for three years, I can say the issue of gun ownership
or gun rights are hardly ever brought up by my sources – unless it is in
the context of stopping illegal gun violence. Rarely then, is there a
rational discussion about the best way to do this. Perhaps there is a
way I can frame an article around the issue. I’ll have to give it some
thought.
On a personal note, I find myself agreeing with a good many of the
positions taken in your zine. While I own guns, and [own] a
Russian-made 1937 Nagant pistol.(I know, I know, the Nagant is a
cheap gun with ammunition impossible to find, but I’m a sucker for
antiques that have odd technical features, like the Nagant’s gas-
trapping technology. And again, it was cheap.), I’ve never identified
with either stereotype of gun culture in this country. I find the views
expressed in AGCR to be enlightened and practical, washing away all
the underlying bullshit that dominates the white bread political
discourse of our time. Thanks for publishing it. Keep up the good
work, I’ll continue to look for you publication in the coming months
and years.
Brian Stimson
Reporter, The Skanner News
Portland, OR
Responding to his citations in Dominic Drummond's article "Firearms and Civil
Liberties in the UK," Anthony Grayling, author of Liberty in the Age of Terror
replied:
"Dear Mr Eliot
Thank you for sending me a copy of your magazine American Gun Culture Report,
which I found both interesting and, in connection with its general sentiment on
right-wing/gay/liberal issues, admirable. I found particularly interesting the
interview with Kitat Konenut. However I have to tell you that I am not a pro-gun
person. The standard trope that it is people not guns that do harm does not
stand up for me; a bad person with a water-pistol cannot do as much harm as a
kid with an automatic rifle who starts indiscriminately murdering people in a
High School. Around the world, which is awash with automatic small arms, social
conflicts are escalated by them into living hells for the people there. Guns are
instruments for killing things, whether humans or animal, and I deplore them.
There seems to me a sharp distinction between civil liberties and license; there
is a greater interest served by constraints on potentially dangerous instruments
(hence traffic regulations, regimes for correct prescription of medical drugs,
etc etc) than in their absence. As a great admirer of the USA and its liberties
and rights, I regret that the distinction between liberty and license - in
truth: between liberty and anarchy - results in so much harm being done there as
a result of the gun culture. - I'm sure you will be most disappointed to read
yet another and familiar disagreement with the pro-gun view. I understand the
fascination with guns, their beauty, the amazing sense of pleasure derived from
firing one at a target, &c. Quite a few dangerous things subject to frequent and
devastating misuse have the properties of being beautiful and exciting. -
Despite our difference of opinion on this, I send you my warm good wishes."
Professor A. C. Grayling
School of Philosophy
Birkbeck, University of London
"Been a gun owner all my life. Have not been con, neo-con, right-wing ... them things
since I served in the military and went to Persian Gulf Senior.
I found your 'zines (and some buttons) at Bad Apple on Foster and 63rd this
weekend.
Frikkin' awesome. I knew there was some non-neo-con gun folks out there but did not
know where to look really. I know that right-wingers don't have the corner on the
market of "masculine" endeavors and honestly didn't even know about the Pink Pistols.
I'm even a bit overwhelmed - I have been preaching that gays and such, women and the
marginalized need to know firearms way more than I do for self defense. A couple Karate
classes will not do.Anyways, good luck and if their is anything you need from me just ask.
I'm a Big Brother, work FT at a law-firm in records, volunteer for Neighborhood Emergency
Teams, am starting a chapter of Zombie Squad here in PDX http://www.zombiehunters.org/
I'm pretty busy but let me know of any events
or anything I can help with. I fully support you."
-Gabe M., Portland
Replying to a review of the novel Ecotopia in AGCR#4, its author wrote:
"Thanks very much for sending your eminently sensible review! And I am glad
to know of your
publication---hope it thrives.
Coming as I do from a small hamlet in central Pennsylvania where everybody
had some kind
of hunting rifle and there was zero crime, I have a perspective somewhat similar to yours.
But I think the militia aspect, as our overblown and overindebted society unwinds, is going
to re-emerge as very important. With the state Guards effectively nationalized and deployed
elsewhere, probably more or less permanently,how will order be preserved when 300 million
heavily armed and miserably trained people take to killing each other? (It is not a reassuring
experience to read gun-proud readers' comments!)
We had better start thinking about getting
some of these folks organized in some socially responsible way . . . ."
Ernest Callenbach, Berkeley, CA
In response to an accusation in AGCR #4 which interepreted the use of a pink
background to highlight the letter from a self proclaimed liberal gun owner in
American Handgunner as anti-gay, editor Roy Huntington defended his choice thusly:
"Congratulations on continuing the fight for the Second Amendment and rights in general.
While we may differ on some points (I confess I didn't vote for Obama due to his gun-grabbing
direction — I admit to a one-platform vote), I do agree on the equality of the many other rights.
Most, it seems, have strong organizations and support from the general voting public so are in
better stead than our endangered Second. I've elected to toss my hat in the right help fight for
it since I only have time and energy for so much.I got your kind note and the latest edition. It
seems your writers are certainly a spirited group, but might point out that going to the source
may often clear up some perceptions
of intent. In my case, the choice of color for "The Whinery"
was left entirely to my very liberal, tattoo-wearing, gun-owning, rock-band participant, "lady"
art director. She said she liked the way the pink "popped" off the page and had tried other colors
but found them "blah" – her word. "The blue was too washed out, red too dark, green not right,
but when I tried the pink, well, it was different from the other colors we normally use and I liked it."
So, I'm sorry there was no great consipiracy on my part poking fun at gays or even the Pink Pistols
(who I think are just fine — gun-owners are brothers and sisters regardless in my mind), nonetheless,
I can see how it might have been taken the wrong way. I've always found it easier to insult directly
rather than sublimely, hence my rather direct responses to letter writers. It still amazes me they
don't seem to understand we editors get the final say, eh?
Take care, and please tell your staff writers if they need info on anything in our
industry, I'd be happy to help out. As silly as it may sound, even trite, I have many good friends
who are gay and lesbian (hell, family members even), and always find them to be great people, or
at least without any more foibles than the rest of us. But I don't find it necessary to tout that as a
rule, just wanted you to know sexual preference means nothing to me."
-Roy Huntingron,
Responding to AGCR's review of The Turner Diaries in issue #4, a Californian
organizer for the National Alliance wrote:
"I was intrigued by your publication as it is certainly Leftist in its political bent
yet is staunchly in favor of the 2nd Amendment. To receive such a publication
was indeed eye opening for me. I read it cover to cover. I enjoyed the exposure
to different viewpoints on things that your writers expressed.
You have informed your readers correctly in that Dr. Pierce was no champion
of conservatism. In fact, he wrote a pamphlet which we still distribute today
called Why Conservatives Can't Win expressing his dim view of conservatives.
The discovery of your interesting publication and your review of our Founder's
first novel will be reported in the next issue of our internal monthly members
newsletter, the National Alliance Bulletin. Members across the country will
become aware of your magazine."
-Jim Ring, Sacramento
“Hey, picked up a copy of the zine couple days ago in Ptown and was waaay
exxcited about the interview with ann archist. i am a Black queer anarchist
woman living in oregon and I have a question i've been grappling with since
i took my firearm training class last fall. I was thinking that she could be the
perfect person to help me way the pros and cons of getting a concealed carry
permit. Is there any way to get hold of her? -thanx a bunch
btw, the zine rocks...i get this strange mix of fear and ecstasy both times
i've picked it up.”
-Cheryl, Oregon
“ Thanks for the shout out to The Greenwood Marksman Society!. . . .I have
one complaint about the article interviewing "Ann Archist"... I am one-hundred-
percent for the freedom of speech and will never try to suppress that. Also I have
no problems with lesbians. I could give a shit what you do with who or whatever.
I am a conservative in my politics, not that kind of conservative, an Constitutional
Conservative, meaning I give a damn about the laws the Founding Fathers gave us.
Yes, I know that they were fallible, just like any man, but what they gave us, the blueprint
of a Constitutional Republic, was as close to perfect man can get. "Ann Archist" states
the more Libertarian right-wingers are into 4Th Amendment violations ("they want
government so small that it can peek through your keyhole to see what you're up to...")
that defeats the word Libertarian! She must be thinking of Populists -or- people from
the so-called Constitutional Party (ultra-right nuts). Great! I am glad she is so informed!
Shitty assumptions like that are why there is so much division in America regarding
firearms and Second Amendment issues. As for the anarchist philosophy... we need
laws to keep gov’t at bay! We need laws to regulate interstate commerce, we need
separation of powers and the Second Amendment should guarantee that.”
-Brian Bianchini
Vice President
Greenwood Marksman Society,
Seattle, Washington
The editor responded:
“On your point about my interview with Ann; you are correct that her
perception of what Libertarians are about is at odds with what most Libs I
know believe. In a research article, if Ann had stated what happened to be an
erroneous Libertarian stance as factual, I'd have asked her to clarify the point.
However, since I was conducting an interview in which she also made
statements about anarchism that many anarchists would disagree with and
because her direct quote referred to "some libertarians", I decided it was clear
she was making an off the cuff observation based on personal encounters as
opposed to a fact based comment about Libertarian ideology. But since so
many Libertarians read my magazine, I probably should have made sure to
add a clarification.”-R.E.
“You've got a good thing going there and I wish you success. We need a mag
devoted to analyzing and commenting on "gun culture". You've got some really
thoughtful stuff there. . .I enjoyed the description of my series as a "literary
bootcamp."
-Jeff Snyder, New York
“I'd like to drum up some other radical gun rights supporters and take them to
the gun range which is a bastion of the same homogeneous gun culture you
describe in issue 1.”
-Brian E., Illinois
“thanks for the zine. I am reading it and I enjoy it. Great concept and layout, one of
the better zines and well written."
-Eric B.,
In response to a review of Paul Langan’s young adult book The Gun, the author wrote:
“Your reading of the novel is fair--and nuanced. You seemed to “get” what I was
trying to do. And you saw the bigger picture of the story. I wasn’t arguing to outlaw
guns or change gun laws--that is another topic (for which I have strong opinions).
What I was trying to do in The Gun is get kids to make better choices, to know
that shooting and hurting another person with a gun is no answer, that such a
choice only leads to more violence, more pain, and more suffering. In urban
oriented pop culture consumed by teens, this idea doesn’t get much play. I think it needs to.”
-Paul Langan, New Jersey
“I just discovered your zine. . .anyway, I fucking love it. I’m super fucking
leftwing activist etc etc, and yet I am also a gun person--though. . .for me it’s
all about defense...balancing out the fucking right-wing gun nuts and a country
headed to shit. As a liberal anarchist college english professor. . .historically I’d
be put up against the wall should it come to that. Additionally, I live in a bad
area--not bad enough to justify my AR15, but plenty bad enough for the Glock 23,
Kahr PM9 and Walther P22.”
-Joe F., Florida
From myspace, "The Patriot" misinterpreted AGCR's site to represent a right wing
group. Upon his enthusiasm being politely corrected, he responded:
"You're right, my bad! I saw the crossed guns and the name and made the mistake of
"assuming", which is something I don't noramlly do! (sic) I was in a hurry and about to
log off so I didn't read it like I would any other time! Oh well live and learn. Your view
and outlook are certainaly (sic) not something I agree with in the least little bit.....
Good luck in your endeavours!"
-The Patriot, CA
"I like your ideas. I'm not a gun maven myself, but I like your open-mindedness..."
-Sue, Bernville, PA
"I just found the 1st issue of AGCR at quimby's zine store in Chicago...I'm going to go
back tomorrow and see if they have number 2 or else I will order it from you. I found
the zine very fascinating and can't wait for the next issue!"
-Brendan, Chicago
In response to a critique of the book “Enter the Babylon System” in AGCR #2, one of its co-authors wrote:
“I thought it was a very fair and journalistically credible review, one of the best
that was done. You obviously understand this stuff on multiple fronts far better
than the bulk of reviewers. It was thus a refreshing read. I appreciate your criticism
and I learned a few things too. I certainly think we could have a lengthy– but
respectable debate– on some of your points, but that’s what democracy is all about.”
-Christian Pearce, Toronto, Canada
"My friend recently returned from a trip to San Francisco and brought me back a
copy of AGCR issue #1. I loved it. It's great to read gun literature that isn't dominated
by neo-cons. I was beginning to feel that I was the only gun owner in America who
condemned the war in Iraq and despised the Patriot Act! I really liked the commentary
and the satire was hilarious. Your publication confirmed this sneaking suspicion that I
had that you don't have to register Republican to own a gun. Anyway, I'm going to pick
up more AGCR and spread the word. Please, keep up the good work."-Lee B., Santa Ynez, CA
“Interesting stuff, made a good read cover to cover . . . If you’re not a Democrat, well, it’s always good to have allies.”
-Zakariah J. from the Gun Owners Caucus of the Democratic Party of Oregon
“I am impressed by the quality and intelligence in the articles I’ve read so far. . . . I’ve
distanced myself from shooting over the years, mainly due to the associated lifestyle choices
& political closedmindedness of 99% of it’s participants, as AGCR has also observed. . . .
Keep up the good work.”
-Greg G. of the UndergroundTerrorist Motorcycle Cult (UTMC) Long Beach, CA
“If you can reach a new and different audience, I think you should go for it.
We’re all about getting everyone involved, so I’m glad to see you are.”
-Kevin Starrett, Executive Director, Oregon Firearms Federation (OFF) Canby, OR
“What you stand for is exactly what I have been trying to get across to many people for
quite a while. Having an interest in firearms does not imply an interest in Republicanism,
the NRA, Bush, Heston, any of that crap. . . .Anyway, it is refreshing to know there are
like-minded people out there!”
-Christopher Lovett, author of the S.W.A.T. magazine August 2007 cover story “Way of the Gun” and a forthcoming novel titled Fugue.
"I know a ton of friends from the left who own guns (of ALL kinds); people that the
Conservative NRA would never really accept. The gun issue has become so politicized
and polarized- just like our gov't and social lives. . .The gun issue for me is about fun,
freedom and empowerment through responsibility and discipline. . . . Merci Bo Coup
for your good words..."-Wolfgang, Portland OR
"Love the magazine. And, yes, I have a sense of humor. And yet I can't help
reminding you that Hiroshima was nuked using the Little Boy bomb. It was Nagasaki
that was nuked with the Fat Man. Best of luck with your publication."-M., Hollywood, CA in reference to an advertisement in AGCR #1 for a
"Commemorative Atomic Bomb"The editor responded:
"I knew someone would pick up on that sooner or later. The first issue
came out before I had reliable internet access and I spent probably 30
minutes in the Portland public library trying to find a good picture of Little
Boy or the Hiroshima explosion. I could only get definition worth reproducing
of the Nagasaki mushroom cloud- and since "Little Boy" didn't contain as much
obvious humor value- I decided to warp history in the dubious cause of satire.
So much for my journalistic integrity. Congratulations, sir, for your sharp eye."
-R.E.
“Your [Jeff] Cooper comments and blog are welcome . . . I worked for a short
time in a gun store and had to deal with the assumptions that because I worked
with guns everyday that I must automatically be conservative, Christian, homophobic,
and racist. I am none of these things. . . .Thanks, and keep fighting the good fight.
–Hark, the Fear Culture Sings, Phoenix, AZ
“Dear AGCR, I think that gun owners should include the homeless, the left and
everyone on the margins of society. Guns are for self defense and the marginalized
should be in the front ranks.”
-Rufus T. Firefly, VA