Editorial RECOIL Statement Jerry Tsai September 10, 2012 195 Comments, Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More I'd like to address the comments regarding what I wrote in the MP7A1 article in RECOIL issue 4. First and foremost, I'd like to apologize for any offense that I have caused with the article. With the benefit of hindsight, I now understand the outrage, and I am greatly saddened that it was initiated by my words. Especially since, I am an unwavering supporter of 2nd Amendment Rights. I've chosen to spend a significant part of both my personnel and professional life immersed in this enthusiasm, so to have my support of individuals' rights called into doubt is extremely unfortunate. With that said, I retract what I wrote in the offending paragraph within this article. It should have had been presented with more clarity. In the article, I stated some information that was passed on to me about why the gun is not available for civilian purchase. By no means did I intend to imply that civilians are not responsible, nor do we lack the judgment to own such weapons, if I believed anything approaching this, clearly I would lead a much different life. I also mentioned in the article that the gun had no sporting purpose. This again, was information passed on to me and reported in the article without the necessary additional context. I believe everything published in RECOIL up to this point (other than this story), demonstrates we clearly understand and completely agree that guns do not need to have a sporting purpose in order for them to be rightfully available to civilians. In retrospect, I should have presented this information in a clearer manner. Although I can understand the manufacturer's stance on the subject, it doesn't mean that I agree with it. Again, I acknowledge the mistakes I made and for them I am truly sorry. Sincerely, Jerry Tsai Editor RECOIL Explore RECOILweb:San Jose to Require Insurance and Annual Fees for Gun OwnersFortius Arms - KeyBinerWatch: What Happens Inside of a SuppressorSHOT Show Gallery Four NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
I am highly disappointed with the statements made by Jerry Tsai and further believe that a person who allows statements like those (wether he wrote it or was quoting) to be printed within the covers of a "gun lifestyle" magazine clearly has a lack of understanding as to mindset of its readers. This man has no business being the editor of this magazine and should step down immediately. I can understand the outrage by the readers but i ask all of us to look at this logically. Did the editor make a huge mistake....absolutely, however his views are not shared with the companies that choose to advertise in the magazine.
Dude, you are getting a little too intense about this. It is obvious what the editor intended; the mistake was withdrawn. As to your comment about the editor not understanding the readership, I think this is correct. The editor expected the audience to be well educated, sensible, and rational. He indeed lacks an understanding of the mindset of the readers and should get a job where his talents are better appreciated.
I had just gotten to the point where I was looking for your magazine every time i was at a magazine rack and then I read the article on the H&K and your comments on civilian ownership of automatic weapons. That pretty quickly destroyed any credibility you had developed. Are you really that out of touch? I bet you folks grew up in California, right?
I will never buy this magazine, due to the antigun and antifreedom comments of the writers. Too little, too late. You should be ashamed of yourself and your antigun/antifreedom attitude.
I think there is way to much over reaction on this issue, you have an excellent magazine. I will be ordering every issue. Keep up the good work.
I agree this magazine is awesome. I will also continue to support Recoil and keep buying every issue. Although I don't necessarily agree with what was written, I think the guy made a mistake. Obviously he believes that citizens should have the right to own NFA weapons since the next article in that issue was a beginners guide on purchasing these restricted weapons.
It's good to know that I haven't been missing anything by not paying $8 for a magazine. Thanks for confirming my decision not to do so!
Thank you for retracting your comment. I respect you for acknowledging when you were wrong and I will continue to support your magazine.
Just so you know, H&K has issued a statement saying that no, this isn't anything reflecting their policy. This is just recoil. Glad to know I don't need to visit this site anymore.
You didn't "pass on" the information. You agreed with and endorsed it. This isn't some sort of 'unfortunate wording' problem. You wrote "and for good reason." You even continued, "We all know that’s technology no civies should ever get to lay their hands on." That's not a problem is wording. That's a problem in thinking.
Phelps is completely right. To truly have unwavering support means that articles such as the one in question would never exist. I seriously question any reason people would need to buy your magazine. The only proper way for you to show you truly do support the second amendment would be to resign. I would never trust an editor who made comments such as yours to oversee magazine on guns. Your words were not unfortunate. To have written what you did was personal opinion and NOT "passing along information." The beauty of living in a free society is that we have other options to buy instead of your publication. Regardless of how little you think of freedom I intend to exercise my freedom to choose to give take my business to more pro-freedom publications. You sir should do the right thing and give up your position as editor. I find this weak excuse to be "an unfortunate wording." I hope that is clear.
Sorry, too little, too late. I left the NRA when Moses told me I didn't need an AK-47 and he would rather throw me and those like me off the sleigh to appease those who hate our rights and you people are no better. My rights are NOT dependent on the likes or prejudices of others, including YOU or H&K ( H&K; because you suck and we hate you!). I plan to help put you and your gun-rag in the trash-heap, right next to Jim Zumbo, maybe you and he can take up golf since you seem more interested in games and BS than the real rights of Americans.
"I’d like to address the comments regarding what I wrote in the MP7A1 article in RECOIL issue 4." Unconvinced, and extremely disappointed, I can't see how in writing the article you could mean anything other than guns, in the civilian world, are for anything but sporting purposes. Your latest response seems to place the blame on H&K, but unless they wrote your article, I have to fault you. I REALLY like your magazine, but can't express my level of disappointment. I hope you can make up for it, as our rights are at risk everyday.
First thing: Stop digging that hole! You need to do a better clarification on the comment "this is a gun that you do not want in the wrong, slimy hands". I understood that you meant gang bangers and their ilk, but that statement is a wide brush, and you painted many people in the face with it. This is the essential statement that needs to be corrected BEFORE the day is out. The overwhelming majority of gun owners are law abiding and responsible firearm owners, and it implied that they are no better than common criminals who rape, rob and plunder. I am not a subcriber, and I have never even heard of your magazine before last night, but I would hate to see a new gun magazine go under because of unclear writing.