AGCR’s Editor Provides Some History

I originally founded AGCR in 2005 to counteract modern firearm literature and its
effect in reinforcing harmful stereotypes. I bought my first gun through a deep
sense of social responsibility, yet for some people that act connected me with
unsavory political reactionaries. Hateful racists, conservatives bigots, right-wing
rednecks, or paranoid militia bunker dwellers; these seemed to be the only roles
conceivable in many peoples minds. First hand experience tells me American gun
owners come from every spectrum of society, yet one is hard pressed to find
mainstream gun press articles which do not conform to a status quo supporting
or conservative political agenda.

The first issue of AGCR, initially printed in December of 2006, was written entirely
by myself and served as a vehicle for generating interest in the project. I promoted it
first through gun oriented groups on myspace.com and later by pamphleteering at
various political rallies in Portland, Oregon. All considered, the first issue garnered
unexpected attention for a self published journal in the highly saturated Northwest
‘zine market.

I convinced several local stores to carry AGCR, and was pleased to find no
objections because of its cover, which displayed a smiling girl holding an AK-47. In
general, AGCR has been extremely well received by people whose politics would
usually be described as liberal or leftist. Interestingly, in almost every case where
persons expressed disagreement with AGCR’s agenda or content, it has come from
individuals holding a right wing perspective. Apparently gun rights have been imagined
to be the sole concern of “conservative” groups for so long that some resent any
perceived encroachment.

By June of 2007 I received enough submissions to put out another issue, this
time featuring my grandmother on the cover wielding a Glock. My ability to market
this edition was severely hampered because only days later I shipped out on a
commercial fishing boat in the Gulf of Alaska for 4 months. A great deal of thanks
is due to Korina M. who handled AGCR’s business affairs during that time as well
as Jenny D. for looking after the myspace site in my absence.

The 3rd issue for summer 2008 marked a significant change from strictly black
and white to color front and back covers and this website came into being through
great assistance from Xander Almeida and Matt Siegel. By the Winter/Spring 2009
issue, AGCR #4 expanded into a regular size magazine format with no small amount
of help from guest editor Cassandra Koslen.

AGCR also became a sponsor of the 2009 May Day March in Portland and plans
to again. Many attendees were happily surprised to see a gun magazine which
cared enough about social justice issues to make its presence known among other local activists.

The preparation for AGCR #5 was marked by unprecedented changes. Cassandra Koslen
came on board as Vice-Editor plus Michelle Saxey filling the role of Creative Director.
While Cassandra assisted immensely with editing, Michelle provided great talent in
professional formating, besides exercising her business acumen setting up AGCR to be a
Limited Liability Company. The end result is a completebreakthrough in quality for issue #5.
Thanks to everyone who made it possible.

-Ross Eliot, editor