We’ve always enjoyed reading the local news in the Kirkland Reporter. Yet, I have been increasingly disturbed by the distribution of outright warfare hardware (crossbows, tactical rifles and revolvers) advertised in Cabela’s – an insert to your newspaper. I’m particularly disturbed by the timing of this week’s distribution.
I can understand what is happening here – there’s now only about 15-20 percent or 8-10 pages of news and the other 80 percent is advertising – with more and more inserts filling our re-cycling bin weekly. Like all traditional newspapers, digital medium has almost completely taken over your business model – traditional ads (flyers, inserts) are probably the only way to stay afloat. I get it. Yet, I wish you ran a story on the merits of voting yes on I-594 to tighten the laws around gun trading, background checks etc, to balance this message. The promotion of this arsenal just one week following Marysville Pilchuck High School shooting last week is, frankly, in poor taste. I’ll be campaigning directly Cabela’s to fight against such publicity and try and stem the opportunity for more massacres, but please do your part and look to another partner to subsidize your newspaper – please.
David Smith, Kirkland