Disappointed In The Nra

[RonE]

While reading the December 2008 issue of "American Rifleman" I came across

what I thought was an article on page 38 titled: "Guns & Gold: Security in

Times of Uncertainty". The article turned out to be nothing more than a

paid advertisement. The reason I thought it was an article was because of

the page layout. On closer inspection it was called an 'Advertorial'. The

page layout was the same as all of the articles listed in the table of

contents at the beginning of the magazine but the 'Advertorial' was not

listed. Also not listed were the authors of the advertisement/article on

page 90 with the rest of the authors of "American Rifleman" articles.

 

I am disappointed because I feel that the magazine has prostituted itself

and sold its members (subscribers) down the river. I have always held to

the belief that "American Rifleman" was a cut above almost all other

gun/shooting magazines, that their reporting and articles were the least

biased in the industry and that the editorial staff of the magazine worked

hard to publish the straight dope! I was wrong, in spite of plenty of pages

of advertising, the editors want more, to the extent that they try to hide

it or sneak it in.

 

I wrote to the editorial director of NRA Publications, Mr. John Zent and

expressed my displeasure. The reply I got from Mr. Zent was nothing short

of a polite kiss off, (Don't you know that the magazines revenue comes from

advertising?). I encourage you to look at page 38 in the December 2008

issue of "American Rifleman" and if you feel that because of the page

layout, the advertisement is misleading or underhanded on the part of the

editors, to drop Mr. Zent a line at: JZent@nrahq.org and ask him to stop

this (in my opinion) underhanded and deceptive practice.

 

[FC]

He didn't answer your challenge.

I always loved that magazine, but darn, you have to be able to tell what is an ad and what is an article.

[724wd]

i guess i dont see how it's any different than any other ad in the book, other than the look. even at that, have you ever seen a bad review of any product in american rifleman? to me, the product reviews are the same as that ad.

 

i work for a weekly newspaper, and we have had advertisers that request such ads that are indistinguishable from editorial. we decline to do so, but i dont think that makes our paper superior to AR in regards to ethics. to each their own, i say. any time you see a header at the top of the page like that, you should take it with a grain of salt.

[karlunity]

Fellas.

 

The NRA is needed now.

This is gonna be an interesting time for gun owners and the left is going to make EVERY effort to follow the British path and disarm us.

 

Time to hang toegether or we WILL hang alone.

 

karl

[FC]

The NRA must start listening to the members. Big companies have a habit of ignoring the consumers, and this is no different.

[dindvik]

Join today it's the only hope we have, if anybody can come up with a ulternative let me know.

[karlunity]

I agree with both of you.

 

I have been after the"Rifleman" for years to print more articles about mil sups.

If you look in the older issues in the libraries, you will find that they were very good at this about 40 years ago.

 

But of late, all you see is Article-adds for $1000 and up guns.

 

Not all of us are rich.

 

I left when the GOP had control, but reenlisted when the Dems got the House.

Ya gotta do, what ya gotta do.

Karl

[Jimro]

Buying a milsurp doesn't keep a factory worker employed.

 

And the import companies know they can reach more of their target audience by advertising in the Shotgunnews or gunsandammo instead of American Rifleman.

 

A few years ago a friend was cleaning out and found her fathers old copies of American Rifleman. I really enjoyed the articles by Askins and being introduced to the writings of Capstick.

 

Jimro

[AzRednek]

Buying a milsurp doesn't keep a factory worker employed.

But they do provide job security to a warehouse employee.

 

And the import companies know they can reach more of their target audience by advertising in the Shotgunnews or gunsandammo instead of American Rifleman.

If I were a US firearms manufacture I doubt if I would want to put my advertising $$ into a publication that does articles on sportorizing.

 

A few years ago a friend was cleaning out and found her fathers old copies of American Rifleman. I really enjoyed the articles by Askins and being introduced to the writings of Capstick.

 

My old time favorites were John Amber (of Gun Digest fame) and Frank Barnes original author of Cartridges of the World.

Jimro

 

 

 

[dindvik]

If you ain't happy with the NRA Quite if you want to make it better join or stay in . iheard the same argument back in the early 70'ds when i left the army, some times i wish i stayed!!!