CMT postpones ‘Guntucky’ in light of Newtown tragedy

CMT was set to premiere a show called Guntucky on January, 26. Here’s the official info about the new reality series via a press release from the network:

The new 10-episode series Guntucky follows the three generations of the Sumner family who run Knob Creek Gun Range, their family owned business in Knob Creek, Ky. At Knob Creek Gun Range, it’s up to the Sumner family to keep things running smoothly as customers use, try out, purchase and sell weapons across a broad spectrum of firearms – from cannons to machine guns. The family will also create shooting scenarios for their guests, hunting down rare and hard to find firearms for anything from a Civil War reenactment to a movie-style mobster scene. Things get crazy when customers get to blow up whatever they can physically bring to the range.

The original scheduling had it following up the Season 3 premiere of My Big Redneck Vacation. As it turns out, the premiere of the show has been delayed. Here was the post about the push back from Knob Creek via their Official Facebook Page:

To inform all of our KCR fans. The network has pushed back the air date to late March or April. We will keep everyone up to date. Have a Happy and Safe New Year! IN GUNS WE TRUST, KCR

As you would imagine, quite a few of the gun range’s fans were none too pleased. Here are a couple of the replies.

It is beginning, the “Government” controlling what you may SEE and HEAR, and trying to disarm us …

Ya sure … if it dont get canceled bcuz of all the shootings!

The network is scared of the government.

In a previous post announcing the now-pushed-back air date another fan wrote:

I hope your show will stress the importance of good judgement and gun safety.I also hope the positive statistics of communities with conceal to carry and a good gun training class have done to reduce assaults,and robberies.I truely believe every person who can pass a ridged background check should have a conceal to carry permit.

Just think if that teacher or principal in Sandy Hook Elementry would have had access to their fire arm. I believe these mentally ill cowards wouldn’t be so willing to attack persons who could be armed and trained better then they are. And everyone who knows me,knows I am a liberal on most every topic but outlawing gun ownership.

This delay prompts some obvious questions; Did Guntucky get postponed because of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School? Is the network worried about a negative backlash that could come from a show about a family-owned gun range called Guntucky? The press release about the show’s premiere came out on December 12, the tragedy in Newtown happened on December 14.

We reached out to CMT and development chief Jayson Dinsmore stated:

“We indeed delayed the airing of the show out of respect for the tragedy in Connecticut late last year. We’ve reviewed the show content from every angle and stand behind the show 100%. From a scheduling perspective, we’ve now slated Guntucky for late Spring.”

Not only is the show centered around a gun range, but the big event Knob Creek is famous for is their Machine Gun Shoot held each year in April and October. Via wiki:

“The World’s Largest Machine Gun Shoot and Military Gun Show” is an event that draws machine gun dealers, collectors and enthusiasts from all over the country. The Machine Gun Shoot itself consists of several rounds of firing at a wide variety of appliances, vehicles and pyramids of tires. Participants also have the opportunity to shoot at barrels of fuel with pyrotechnic charges attached, which explode when struck by bullets. The objective for these shooters is to destroy everything down range. The presence of many rare and powerful fully automatic weapons also draws many visitors, with firearms ranging from submachine guns to .50 BMG heavy machine guns and M134 Miniguns.

The main event of the Machine Gun Shoot is the “Night shoot” where, after dark, gasoline-filled metal drums and explosives are set up in and around the targets, and tracer ammunition is used.

In addition, the event is a marketplace for machine gun enthusiasts, aka some serious firearms. Via Knob Creek’s official site:

The Military Gun Show has drawn dealers from across the country to buy, sell and trade rifles, pistols, shotguns, and machine guns. They also will be selling ammo, military surplus, hard to find gun parts and much more. The show is set up in a large lighted pole barn adjacent to the firing line and Clubhouse. Security is on patrol at all times. Knob Creek cordially invites you to come and support the second amendment, “the right to keep and bear arms.”

There’s a video on YouTube featuring highlights of a Machine Gun Shoot uploaded in 2006 that has over 500,000 views. According to the poster of the clip, this footage was shot for a segment to appear on NBC but, “Columbine happened right after so the execs killed it for sensitivity reasons. As the producer of the segment I hung on to a few tapes for my reel. This is a quick edit which I think gives a pretty good idea what it is like to shoot at 50 gallon drums of diesel on full auto with tracers. Enjoy.”

What do you think about CMT’s decision to push back the premiere?