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What People Are Saying
The News Leader, Staunton, VA "If we advocate against unlicensed firearms dealers selling weapons at gun shows while allowing unlicensed firearms dealers to sell weapons through our classified pages, what does that make us? If you answered "hypocrites," you're exactly right." (Editoral, The News Leader, Staunton, VA, June 18, 2007)
The Ironton Tribune "We didn't receive a lot of them (gun ads) but didn't want it on our conscience if one is used in a crime." Kevin Cooper, publisher (Ohio News Network, May 26, 2005)
Denver Post/Rocky Mountain News “We received about 40 emails from people who were opposed to the new policy, about 15 emails from people who supported the change, and five subscribers cancelled their subscriptions. With a combined circulation of 750,000, that doesn’t even show up on the radar screen.” Jim Nolan, communications director for the Denver Newspaper Agency regarding the newspaper’s new firearms advertising policy
Chicago Tribune“The Chicago Tribune doesn’t run certain types of ads in the interest of its readers. Firearms are one such example of that.” Jeff Bierig, Tribune spokesman (Chicago Tribune, Nov. 2, 2001) Philadelphia Inquirer“There’s not a chance in the world that we are going to compromise our standards because of tight times in advertising. We don’t want our classified columns to become an arms market. We stay out of it, because the potential exists for an illegal transaction.” Todd Brownrout, senior vice president for sales and marketing (News Inc., April 22, 2002) Willoughby News Herald, Ohio“It seemed like the kind of thing we should do. It’s not as if we are going to lose a lot of money.” Mitch Perlin, classified advertising manager (Wall Street Journal, Oct. 17, 2002) Telegraph Herald, Dubuque, Iowa“It (no gun classifieds) makes sense.” Tom Yunt, publisher (Telegraph Herald, Feb. 12, 2003) Houston Chronicle“Groups have petitioned newspapers in the past to close what has been termed the ‘newspaper loophole’ that allows a person to purchase handguns through classified ads without federal background checks. We have adjusted our policy to address this concern.” Chronicle statement explaining the newspaper’s new policy Dallas Morning NewsThe change “ensures that The Dallas Morning News isn’t operating a marketplace that allows for the sale or trading of weapons outside the law,” Steven Weaver, senior vice president/advertising (The Dallas Morning News, July 6, 2003)
“We consider our new policy to be in the best interests of the community and the Dallas Morning News. We feel good about our position.” Frank Leto, Dallas Morning News spokesperson Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Florida“I believe strongly that this is the right thing to do. We certainly don’t want to make it easier for criminals to gain access to weapons.” Diane McFarlin, publisher (Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Sept. 24, 2003)
Indianapolis Star “We constantly look at [advertising policies] in terms of editorial policies. Late last year, the paper came out with an editorial supporting the sale of firearms through licensed dealers only.” Peter Ricker, vice president/advertising (Editor & Publisher, Apr. 27, 2004)
National Campaign to Close the Newspaper Loophole “Newspapers that run classified ads for firearms from unlicensed sellers endanger the lives of their readers. Just because it is legal doesn’t mean it is good policy.” John Johnson, coordinator for the National Campaign to Close the Newspaper Loophole
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