The issue of gun control is a heated topic ordinarily — a tragedy like the shooting in Aurora, Colo., will only serve to augment the controversy surrounding the American’s citizen’s right to own and carry firearms. In the wake of the shooting, several celebrities have vocalized promotion of stricter gun control laws. But a few stars are taking the opposite approach: rapper/actor Ice-T defended gun rights in a discussion with Krishnan Guru-Murthy of Channel 4 London.
Ice-T illustrated the following philosophy to Guru-Murthy, courtesy of Mediaite: “The right to bear arms is because that’s the last form of defense against tyranny. Not to hunt. It’s to protect yourself from the police.”
The Law & Order: SVU star also expressed that guns are not to blame for violence: “If somebody wants to kill people, they don’t need a gun to do it … You can strap explosives on your body. They do that all the time.”
However, Ice-T’s following statement seems to imply admission that there is an element of danger inherent in the presence of firearms: “I’ll give up my guns when everybody else does. Would you want to be the only one without one?”
As stated above, Ice-T may be in the minority when it comes to pro-gun celebrities. The past several days have provoked a variety of figures to come out in favor of gun control. On Saturday, Seinfeld star Jason Alexander tweeted the following message:
I cannot understand support for legality of the kind of weapon in this massacre. It’s a military weapon.why should it be in non- mil hands?
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) July 21, 2012On Monday, Conan O’Brien sidekick Andy Richter published this message on TwitLonger, expressing his support for stricter gun control laws.
The issue will always be a controversial one, and gun-related tragedies only serve to breed the disputes. The fortunate thing, as indicated by this sort of public back and forth, is that we live in a country wherein free discussion and debate is not only permitted, but is actually expected of its citizens. It doesn’t matter to what degree two sides might disagree — nothing but progress can come from peaceful debate.
[Photo Credit: David Edwards/Daily Celeb]
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