Tom Knapp, shotgun master, loses his gig with Benelli

• You might make guns in Italy, but you sell reputations here! Its just a gun to me now. Wonder if Shotgun World has a "dirt bag of the year" award? Stephen's a cinch.  Goodbye Cordoba, looks like I am forced to rethink the Beretta. I would tote a HR single shot if I had to after reading Dr. Ray's comment. Don't let the Benellis get you down Tom. 

• Type your comment here.Tom Knapp is a true professional and gentleman.It's a sorry company that doesn't stick by a 20 yr dedicated man like Tom. I just purchased a Winchester Superx3. I'm done with benelli.

• Tom is a true gentleman. He does not mince words. Basically Stephen gave him the shaft. It turned out for the best as Benelli was using him and not paying him what they should have for what he was doing. He still will not speak badly of them but things happen for a reason. I hope Benelli and their crew treat Tim and others better. Tom's talk may get a little rough but he is a true sportsman and truly cares about shooting and kids. I am proud to call him a friend. Dr. Ray

• After watching him perform on tv for years, I finally met Tom when he was signing autographs at the 2007 NRA National Convention, and it was no surprise that he was a true class-act. We caught him at a down time apparently and spent about 10 minutes discussing the sport, the industry, and just shooting in general. It was watching him that initially inspired me to join the ATA and start shooting amateur trap and upland bird hunting. He just came across as a really nice guy who loves his fans. In fact he conveyed the impression that he was as excited to meet me, the fan, as I was to meet him, the star, and that is truly rare. I also receive the same treatment at the same show from down-to-earth shooting star Todd Jarrett. He even gave me a 10 minute tip session with his personal sidearm since i'd just missed his last seminar of the day. It really impressed me that a guy of his importance/fame at the largest show of the year was willing to give ME 10 minutes of his own time. Even huge stars I met there, such as Ted Nugent, Tom Selleck, and R.Lee Ermey were super friendly and really willing to please fans. I waited in line 90 minutes to meet R.Lee "The Gunny" Ermey, but he signed me 4 autographs and took two pictures with me, and even recited some requested insults from Full Metal Jacket. That is the good. The bad was Extreme Shooter Patrick Flanigan. He was in an utterly deserted Winchester factory booth talking to a rep. I walked up, waited for a lull in the conversation, and said "Hey, you're Patrick Flanigan. I really admire your work. Could I have an autograph?" He looked at me like I'd just asked out his mother, held up his index finger without a single word to me, then went back to talking to the factory rep, at which point I left. I genuinely admire Flanigan's shooting, he is quite talented, but due to that first impression I'll probably always think of him as a dick.

• Legends do come and go. But what a legend this man is, Tom Knapp is a living legend. A true ambassador for the sport all over the world. Old friend get well soon and we all think of you. Keep up the good work.

• Legends come and go. The sport lives forever, God bless you Tom Knapp. A gerat man with good shot gun!

• Instead of worrying about shotguns, he now has to be concerned with pulmonary fibrosis, a disease that causes permanent scarring of the lungs and kills 40,000 each year...the same as breast cancer. My mother died from PF in Feb of this year. It is a serious disease and I hope he gets a lung transplant soon

• This is the spin doctors all over. They pulled his schedule off both their web page and his page, he now is doing private showings.

• ACCOKEEK, MD (March 11, 2010) � Benelli USA is very pleased that Tom Knapp�s health has improved enough for him to resume his exhibition shooting on a limited basis. Benelli USA has multiple agreements with Tom Knapp and the only one affected by his health condition was his exhibition show contract. As per Tom�s request his live show schedule for 2010 was cancelled indefinitely until his health allowed him to resume. In January 2010, Tom informed Benelli USA that he had been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease that would require a lung transplant. It appeared, at the time, it might take two to three years for Tom to receive a lung transplant. Tom also informed Benelli USA that his condition required that he be on oxygen 24/7, causing the cancellation of his 2010 exhibition schedule and preventing him from attending the 2010 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. Tom continues to be contracted by Benelli for his participation in the TV show, Benelli�s American Birdhunter. Tom told Benelli USA that he would be unable to participate in the hunts, but he could continue as the on-camera host while Benelli exhibition shooter, Tim Bradley could step in as co-host. As clearly stated in a letter sent to Tom Knapp in January, �In reference to additional and future business relations and projects, Benelli USA looks forward to continuing a professional relationship with you (Tom Knapp), whenever and wherever opportunities may arise.� �We at Benelli have been very concerned with Tom's health. It would seem that there has been a considerable misunderstanding that we intend to resolve. It has never been the intention of Benelli USA to sever ties with Tom Knapp,� said Stephen McKelvain, Vice President of Marketing and Communications. �To the contrary, it was our intention to give Tom the time he needed to recuperate fully from his illness in order that he can continue building his legacy as the World�s greatest exhibition shooter of our time.�

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