Dick Metcalf is an editor at Guns & Ammo. In the latest issue, he made the mistake of writing a column suggesting that some common sense gun regulation might be a good thing. Now he's gone and made the gun people very, very mad.

In Metcalf's column, which is extremely basic and mild by "sane person" standards, he gently notes that it is not true that any regulation of guns is automatically an infringement of the Second Amendment. Sample line: "I don't think that requiring 16 hours of training to qualify for a concealed carry license is infringement in and of itself. But that's just me."

So, how did Guns & Ammo readers respond to this bit of editorializing? Not well! Ad Age characterizes the backlash as "stiff." I might characterize it as "indicative of the scary insanity present in the minds of many of those Americans who also, unfortunately, own guns."

A small sampling, for your pleasure. From Breitbart's Awr Hawkins:

Metcalf misses the point. The 2nd Amendment protects a natural right; that's why it is not to be infringed. Owning and operating a vehicle is not a natural right, so comparing it to gun ownership is like comparing the ability to own and operate an airplane with the rights to freedom of speech and religion.

Owning and operating guns is a "natural" right. Owning and operating a vehicle is not. That's because guns grow from seeds, which god bestoweth upon mankind, in his glory. From Robert Farago at TheTruthAboutGuns.com:

You’re kidding, right? Metcalf doesn’t know that “well-regulated” is “referring to the property of something being in proper working order“? That it has nothing to do with government regulation? No way! [...]

Anyone who says “I believe in the Second Amendment but–” does not believe in the Second Amendment. They are not friends, they are not frenemies, they are enemies of The People of the Gun.

This clown Metcalf thinks "well-regulated" has to do with regulation? Idiot! He is an enemy of "The People of the Gun." DUN DUN DUN.......

And some choice comments from the Guns & Ammo Facebook page:

This bell cannot be unrung and will cost us dearly. For reasons such as this it is obvious why traitors have the most harsh punishment...an example should be made.

Someone forgot to take their "anti" dumba$$ pills !n I am so done with my prescription !

Fire Dicl Medcalf!

Guns & Ammo listens to its readers: editor Jim Bequette has published an "apology," and announced that Dick Metcalf has been fired.

Thank god everyone involved in this is heavily armed.

[Photo: FB]