Eric R. Poole will be taking the reins of the publication

Nov 9, 2013 08:41 GMT  ·  By

Guns and Ammo editor Jim Bequette has resigned over publishing a piece about gun control and its necessity in the magazine that covers types of weapons, their uses and costs.

The Guns and Ammo scandal started with a piece written by Dick Metcalf, in which he aimed to stress that gun ownership must be regulated.

"Way too many gun owners still believe that any regulation of the right to keep and bear arms is an infringement. [...] The fact is that all Constitutional rights are regulated, always have been, and need to be," Metcalf wrote, as reported by Huffington Post.

The gun control piece was dubbed a fail to support Second Amendment rights and angered gun owners committed to the publication.

"Guns and ammo for gun control? Unsubscribed!!!!! Fire Mr. Metcalf," readers cried out.

The response by the magazine was firing Metcalf, and Bequette also turned in his resignation, coupled with an apology. He mentions being scheduled to step down next year anyway.

"I made a mistake by publishing the column. I thought it would generate a healthy exchange of ideas on gun rights. I miscalculated, pure and simple. I was wrong, and I ask your forgiveness.

"Plans were already in place for a new editor to take the reins of 'Guns & Ammo' on January 1. However, these recent events have convinced me that I should advance that schedule immediately," Bequette posts.

The Gun Writer details that Metcalf has been a fixture for years at the monthly magazine. He also appeared on gun-related talk shows and wrote for several other publications.

Bequette will be replaced with Eric R. Poole, editing specialty publications "Book of the AR-15" and "TRIGGER."

"'Guns & Ammo' will never fail to vigorously lead the struggle for our Second Amendment rights, and with vigorous young editorial leadership such as Eric’s, it will be done even better in the future," Bequette writes.