For what it is worth...

[hossenpepper]

Dear Mr. King,
I am 38 and have been a life long "constant reader" of yours. I am one of those folks who (when actual bookstores were still around) would rush out to buy the hardback of your latest offering the day it was available. Hell, I'm one of those guys who would have bought your grocery list in hardback if you ever published it.

That ended today. Never again will I give you 1 cent of my hard earned cash after your statement about the NRA and responsibility for gun violence. I spoke up for you many times when they blamed "Rage" for school shootings. I thought it was a shame when you pulled that story out of guilt. I am sure you wrote this essay out of guilt, as well.

Just as I would never think to blame a fictional story for the deeds of an evil individual, it is just as much a folly to blame inanimate objects for those deeds. I only wish you could understand that.
...
As I sit here and wonder "What should I now do with this entire bookcase of Stephen King hardbacks (and truth be told some paperbacks, as well)?", I think maybe I should give them away to charity. No, I don't want to encourage someone else to make the bad decision I made in becoming a fan. Maybe I should start a protest bon fire with them and post a photo of it on your wall. No, I can't get behind burning books for any cause.

I think I will quietly slip them into the recycling can and try to erase you, Mr. King, and your stories from my memory. I am done with you.

Door may hit a$$ on way out... Achtung baby!

[jafen]

While I respect the post and your intents, I frankly don't understand it. Doesn't it seem hypocritical to say that Mr. King doesn't have the right to express his views, that you are willing to regret all the joy you've received from Mr. King's story's simply because he doesn't agree with you?
I can't understand that line of thinking.

[mustangclaire]

Surely, even if you disagree with someones beliefs and opinions, yet can still appreciate what they do that's bought you joy for so many years, it makes you a more admirable person? Agree to disagree? I adore heavy rock music, but am anti-drugs. Half my cd collection consists of drug pushing maniacs. Not going to burn them all tho.... If that makes ANY sense, which it probably doesn't as it's 7.15pm here in Britain and i'm 2/3rds of a way down a bottle of wine....Live and let live.

[doowopgirl]

While I don't 100% agree with SK on guns, I 100% respect his opinion and your right to yours. But IMO refusing to read books that you enjoyed because of of differing opinions is kind of shooting off your nose to spite your face.