Guns & Ammo

Guns & Ammo is a magazine dedicated to firearms, hunting, competitive shooting, reloading, and other shooting-related activities in the United States.

Guns & Ammo
EditorEric R. Poole (2013–present)
CategoriesFirearms, Outdoors, Sports
FrequencyMonthly
Circulation420,000 (print)
PublisherChris Agnes
First issue1958 (1958)
CompanyKroenke Sports & Entertainment
CountryUnited States
Based inPeoria, Illinois
LanguageEnglish
Websitewww.gunsandammo.com
ISSN0017-5684
OCLC59807780

Content and Circulation

The magazine offers reviews on firearms, ammunition, optics and shooting gear. Also included are historical articles, gun collecting, self-defense features and celebrity interviews. In addition to monthly department columns on specific topics, each issue contains several featured articles and profiles of the firearms industry, as well as technical evaluations and new products.[1]

Guns & Ammo also publishes news and information relating to gun politics. As one journalist has stated: "Politics is implicit in cover-story headlines (“Ready to fight”) and explicit in the “politics” section of the Guns & Ammo website."[1] Its annual assessment of "The Best States for Gun Owners" analyzes each U.S. state's laws, court decisions and positions on "stand your ground" and "castle doctrine" issues.[2]

Guns & Ammo is published on a monthly basis.[3] Its annual circulation is 5.3 million copies. 97% of readers are male; readers' average income is estimated at $102,000.[4]

History

Guns & Ammo was founded by Robert E. Petersen in 1958 and has featured famed gunwriters such as P.O. Ackley, Craig Boddington, Jeff Cooper, Garry James, Bill Jordan, Elmer Keith, Bob Milek, Patrick Sweeney, Col. Townsend Whelen and John Wooters.[5] Charlton Heston, former president of the National Rifle Association of America authored a gun rights column for the magazine titled "From the Capitol" until 2007.[3]

Staff

Currently, Guns & Ammo magazine carries columns written by Eric R. Poole (Editorial), Garry James (Gun Room), Richard Nance (Gun Tech), Jeremy Stafford (Handgunning), Tom Beckstrand (Rifles & Glass), retired SGM Kyle E. Lamb (Lock, Stock & Barrel), Dave Emary (Bullet Board) and Keith Wood (Spent Cases).[6]

The magazine was involved in controversy over the dismissal of one of its writers, Dick Metcalf, in 2014. According to The New York Times, an article by Metcalf took a stance on gun laws that prompted two major gun manufacturers to state that they would no longer do business with Guns & Ammo if Metcalf continued to work there. Among other things, Metcalf's article stated: "The fact is, all constitutional rights are regulated, always have been, and need to be.” Metcalf was terminated soon after.[7]

In 2012 Richard Venola, the magazine's editor from 2007 to 2009, was arrested for shooting and killing a friend who was reportedly visiting his home. The weapon was said to be a "high-caliber rifle."[8][9] Venola was charged with second degree murder, but two separate trials resulted in deadlocked juries. Venola died in 2021.[10][11]

References
  1. LaFrance, Adrienne. "The Secret to Guns & Ammo's Success". The Atlantic. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  2. Wood, Keith. "Best States for Gun Owners: Ranked for 2022". Guns & Ammo. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  3. Gregg Lee Carter (2002). "Gun Magazines". Guns in American Society: A - L. Vol. 1. ABC-CLIO. p. 249. ISBN 978-1-57607-268-4.
  4. "Guns & Ammo Magazine". Echo Media: Print Media Experts. Echo Media, Smyrna GA. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  5. Dennis Hevesi (27 March 2007). "Robert Petersen, Publisher of Auto Buff Magazines, Dies at 80". New York Times. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014.
  6. "Guns & Ammo magazine". Outdoor Sportsman Group. August 2021.
  7. Somaiya, Ravi (January 4, 2014). "Banished for Questioning the Gospel of Guns". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  8. Hawkins, Dave (May 3, 2012). "Former Guns & Ammo editor arrested in Arizona shooting". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  9. Morales, Laurel. "Former Guns & Ammo Editor Shoots, Kills Friend". KPBS Morning Edition, San Diego CA. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  10. Hendley, Matthew. "Former Guns & Ammo Magazine Editor's Murder Trial Ends With Hung Jury". Phoenix New Times.
  11. Poole, Eric and Miller, Payton. "Richard Venola: September 18, 1958 - February 6, 2021". Guns & Ammo. Retrieved 6 September 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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