Not so offensive

Guns Magazine, July, 2009 by David Manry, John Walker

I understand that some of my colleagues in the GUNS community might be concerned with the image conveyed by the ad showing Mr. Venturino in Hawaiian shirt with wide grin, weapons, and helmet. However, the "anti" crowd would be seriously torqued by the material on any random page of the magazine (except maybe the Crossfire page). Further, the ad does depict the sheer joy of firing the P-08 and MP-40; were I not already a subscriber, the ad would encourage me to become one, just to read about those weapons. I thus respectfully maintain that the ad is effective.

David Manry

River Ridge, Louisiana

Regarding Mike Venturino and the great picture of him in the wild shirt and the helmet: I want to respond to the folks who have tried to take the fun out of shooting. Even for those of us who own firearms for self-defense, shooting should not be something to look at as just a task we have to do to stay proficient. If it becomes something we dread doing, we probably won't practice. I for one, would go shooting with Mike Venturino anytime he asked; anyone with that goofy a grin has got to be a hoot to be with. Just don t ask me to dress like him!

We can't control the opposition, the press or the politicians; they will twist and alter anything they need to further their cause. Years ago my daughter indirectly paid me a great compliment. When someone asked her about her Dad, she replied, "What you see is what you get". We are who we are!

And to the guy who bad-mouthed MV about his size, on a hot summer day I would be delighted to use Mike as shade.

John Walker

Gladstone, Oregon