Conn. paper runs gun show ad next to Newtown story

This handout photo shows an ad for a gun show adjacent to an article about the Newtown, Conn. school shooting in the Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013 edition of The Advocate of Stamford, Conn. A statement released Thursday by Hearst Connecticut Media Group's publisher Paul Farrell said the ad's placement was an oversight. / AP Photo

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. The Hearst Connecticut Media Group apologized Thursday because one of its newspapers ran an ad for an antique gun show next to an article about the Newtown school shooting.

A statement released by Group Publisher Paul Farrell said the ad's placement in The Advocate of Stamford was the result of an oversight.

"Our newspapers should not be running gun ads — including ads for antique and collectible gun shows — next to stories about Sandy Hook. It's insensitive, and it shouldn't have happened," the group said in the statement referring to the Dec. 14 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. "We have taken steps to make sure it doesn't happen again."

• Newtown kids' first day back at school filled with hope

The ad for the East Coast Fine Arms Show appeared Thursday beside an article about students at the school. The promoter for the gun show, which is scheduled to begin Saturday in Stamford, did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

12 Photos

Newtown students return to class

The gunman, Adam Lanza, killed 20 first-graders and six adult staff members at Sandy Hook. He also killed his mother on the morning of the rampage and committed suicide as police arrived. Police have not offered a possible motive.

Adam's father, Peter Lanza, lives in Stamford. He issued a statement the day after the shooting expressing sympathy for the victims' families and saying the family was trying to make sense of what happened.

[HistoryNote]

Are we so sensitized to political correctness that it is impossible to advertise without offending someone?

[qsmco12]

It was not an accident or an error that the paper did this, rather a calculated attempt to stir up emotions and keep people feeling unsafe. That is the goal of this kind of media.

[HistoryNote]

The risk with casting a faux pas, is that it can't be redacted. No apology can undo the insult. It simply sits there on the dinner table, to be digested by everyone, for the remainder of the evening.

[Jhihmoac]

Just like putting a meat market ad in a vegetarian magazine...

Some NRA supporter saw to this one! :P

[venusvegasvada]

The mother of the shooter knew her son was unstable.

The mother of the shooter was fully vetted when she bought all her firearms.

The mother of the shooter decided that it was not necessary to keep her firearms secured in proper safe.

The mother of the shooter underestimated her son's madness and it cost her and others their lives.

The fault clearly lies with the mother for not taking appropriate measures to secure her firearms.


What does any of that have to do with any gun show anywhere in the United States?

[HistoryNote]

Poor Adjacency. Poor Timing. Kinda like bringing the fox to the hen's funeral - Bad manners.

[audemus]

Well....now that I've had my FILL of early Saturday Morning repulsion....I can now begin my day...

[TimeToEvolve]

Step right up all you crazy gun wackos and come to the gun show. No ID, no age limit, no background checks and no experience necessary. Plus by the latest in human killing technology with no training needed. Is that what the ad says I can't read it?

[sickofwhiners]

There are background checks. Have you ever been to a gun show?

[seabass6251]

No, Time cannot pass a background check.

[Rocket_USA]

Do you think it is an accident that the Editor put the ad right next to the article? What better way to give the illusion that gun people are insensitive.

[TimeToEvolve]

It think it is gun people who let Wall Street write the rules. Oh and pay millions for brainwashing to the NRA.

[legalbutunjust]

MRPAULGEORGE replies:

People need to get over this and move on - it's like going through 9/11 all over again and it's getting rather t


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Well good, so next time a shoplifter in California becomes convicted of his third criminal offense, and does NOT receive a life sentence, you'll be able to get over it and move one. Right?

[TimeToEvolve]

I think this is perfect. It shows clearly the sick and twisted Wall Street gun policies we have in America. Maybe they should put the gun ads in the home and garden section. Or the advertisement sections for children's day care services.

[Mortarman29Infantry1SG]

Lindag20 replies: Mortar having a Constitutional convention to rewrite the Constitution IS a bit different from some of the states seceding from the country and forming ANOTHER country.
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No it is not. If we scrap the Constitution, we are scrapping this country. And trying to form a new one. In the new one, some people will want one kind of government, others a different one. So, if they cannot reconcile their differences in convention, then they should be able to live under a government they so chose.

[Lindag20]

The South LOST the Civil War, get over it.

[Mortarman29Infantry1SG]

But them being attacked and losing was against what you are saying Linda. They no longer wanted to live under the current government. They wanted it changed. When change was impossible, they wanted it scrapped. Same thing you are saying.

But somehow, a president ignored the Constitution and forced them to live under a government they wanted no part of.