S. Samuel
Rap veteran Ice-T has revealed his public stance toward gun rights just days after the horrific Dark Knight Rises massacre in Colorado which took the lives of a dozen people.
Rather than sway away from the topic, Ice-T embraced the right to bear arms debate.
Speaking with Channel 4 London’s Krishnan Guru-Murthy in the hours after the Colorado news broke, the self-described “Godfather of Gangsta Rap” vehemently denied a connection between gun rights and the Aurora murders. “It’s legal in the United States,” the rapper said. “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.” “And do you see any link between that and this sort of instance?” Guru-Murthy challenged. “No. Not really,” Ice-T responded. “If somebody wants to kill people, they don’t need a gun to do it.” “Makes it easier though, doesn’t it?” the host pushed back. “Not really. You can strap explosives on your body. They do that all the time.” (Mediaite)
Since the interview, Ice has hopped on Twitter to clarify his stance.
“If you go into the jungle…. Will you NOT get eaten because you’re a vegan??,” he tweeted July 23rd.
“”Love me or hate me…. I’ll make you think.””
“Right??! >RT @JPFreire: We are at a point now in American politics where (Ice T) says things that resonate with conservatives. #crazytown”
“My comment on guns got a lot of press.. They call me ‘Gangster’ don’t forget ‘US Army Vet.’ A little gun history > http://bit.ly/OnAmMm” (Ice-T’s Twitter)
Following last week’s Colorado massacre, President Barack Obama issued a statement on the tragedy.
“Michelle and I are shocked and saddened by the horrific and tragic shooting in Colorado. Federal and local law enforcement are still responding, and my Administration will do everything that we can to support the people of Aurora in this extraordinarily difficult time. We are committed to bringing whoever was responsible to justice, ensuring the safety of our people, and caring for those who have been wounded. As we do when confronted by moments of darkness and challenge, we must now come together as one American family. All of us must have the people of Aurora in our thoughts and prayers as they confront the loss of family, friends, and neighbors, and we must stand together with them in the challenging hours and days to come.” (Statement)
Reports of the fatal shooting spree surfaced online early Friday (July 20).
Earlier Friday, 24-year-old Aurora resident James Holmes was named as the suspect who shot at least 14 people dead and wounded dozens more. Police caught him in the parking lot of the Century 16 Movie Theaters; he claimed he had explosive devices in his apartment, which led to evacuation of buildings in the area. (The Hollywood Reporter)
