Wilkes-barre Politics 
Leighton Says He's Too Busy For Chair 
W-b City Councilman Doesn't Want To Return As The Council Chairman. Mike
Mcginley Could Get The Job.

Albert Manzi

By LANE FILLER
lfiller@leader.net
 Sunday, January 05, 2003 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 10C 





For John A. Yenason and Wendy Henry, it's not just about the guns and it's
not just about the hunt. It's about a way of life that they feel was integral
to the founding of this country. It's about a political stance they feel is
supported by the Bill of Rights. It's about gun culture, around which much of
their life is centered. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The couple lives in Dallas, and compete firing .50-caliber Browning machine
guns at a range of 1,000 yards. Both are among the best in the world in that
competition. In addition, they are avid hunters and anglers, an outdoorsman
and an outdoorswoman who are sharing their lives and their passion. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Both are in their mid-40s, and they have been together for about five
years. John owns a company that install manufacturing equipment. Wendy, once a
ballet dancer, is studying to become licensed in massage therapy. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 John has hunted in Alaska, New York, New Mexico, Georgia, Pennsylvania,
Texas and Africa. Wendy has not been to all the exotic locales, but she is
catching up fast. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``We never hunt what we don't eat,'' Henry said, although she admitted some
black bears are pretty rank. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 They have immersed themselves in a lifestyle. Within that lifestyle, their
closest friends share their passions. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Recently, in Alaska, Wendy killed a deer with her .50 from what might be a
world record distance. From 783 yards, she spotted the animal, scoped it,
checked her windage and let fly. It was a clean kill, from nearly half a mile
away. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The rounds they shoot cost $4 apiece, and the windage on a 1,000 shot can
be as much as 20 feet, so this is not a game for uncommitted novices. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Although they only compete with the big guns, John and Wendy are armed
pretty nearly at all times, with 9 mm Rugers or Glocks. For a fancy party,
Wendy might carry a .380 Walther PPK, as does James Bond. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 They have a range in the back yard, and shoot every chance they get.
Frequently, Sundays are the days that friends join them for target practice,
gun talk and camaraderie. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Often, they feel their pleasures and pastimes are misunderstood. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``This country was forced into a gun culture during the Revolutionary
War,'' Yenason said. ``The fact that people need to be trained sufficiently in
the use of firearms to protect themselves, their family and their country,
that has not changed.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Of course, like most ardent gun supporters, Yenason recognizes their is
more to it than that, and said, ``In Germany during the Holocaust, in Russia,
in any country run by dictators, the first thing they do is disarm the
populace, for their own safety. I'm not sure it helped the safety of the Jews
to be disarmed.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Yenason and Henry are ardent in their support of the U.S. government, but
at the same time believe they have a right to protect their liberties even
from the government. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Yenason knows that some view he and his friends as extreme, but said: ``My
interest is not in changing people's minds. I just hope that people take the
time to listen to and think about both sides of this issue. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``There is a reason we are guaranteed the right to bear arms as citizens,
and it's because we had just overthrown an unfair government with personal
weapons when the Bill of Rights was ratified. Gun supporters need to listen to
both sides too, because no regulation is not the answer, either.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 They are ardent supporters of gun education and are always happy to teach
others about safety and responsibility. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``There used to be so many more classes and competitions,'' Yenason said.
``Now, it's as if people are spooked by what has been a part of us since this
nation was founded. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As important as the politics seem, they are a side issue to what really
matters for Yenason and Henry: the joy of the hunt, and the taste of the food
they derive from it. Their real joy comes from their time in the field, and on
the range. Their real happiness comes from time spent with old friends, who
share their enjoyment. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The politics, they feel, are a necessary evil. Without them, the rest might
dissapear. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Right To Bear Arms Is More Than Words, It's Their Lifestyle 
John Yenason And Wendy Henry Are Accomplished Shooters, Hunt All Over The
World And Are Ardent About Their Philosophy.

The Right To Bear Arms Is More Than Words, It's Their Lifestyle John Yenason And Wendy Henry Are Accomplished Shooters, Hunt All Over The World And Are Ardent About Their Philosophy.