Ice-T Joins Hollywood Gun Control Debate
Following the horrific movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado during a midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" Friday, debate has been opened over the nation's gun control laws.
Several members of Hollywood have joined in on the debate, including "Seinfeld" star Jason Alexander and most recently Ice-T.
The "Law and Order" actor and former rapper revealed his thoughts in an interview over the weekend and denied the connection between gun control rights and the Aurora massacre.
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"It's legal in the United States," started the rapper, also known as Krishnan Guru-Murthy. "United States is based on guns."
"The right to bear arms is because it's the last form of defense against tyranny," said Ice-T, according to Mediaite.com. "Not to hunt. It's to protect yourself from the police."
The self-proclaimed "Godfather of Gangsta Rap," Ice-T added, "If somebody wants to kill people, they don't need a gun to do it."
Alternately, "Seinfeld" star Alexander took to Twitter with different sentiments following the events in Aurora.
"More innocent lives taken," wrote the actor. "Peace and prayers to the families."
He then questioned the firearms that the Aurora shooter allegedly used during the massacre.
"I cannot understand support for legality of the kind of weapon in this massacre," Alexander wrote on Twitter. "It's a military weapon. Why should it be in non-mil hands?"
Alexander's post spurred outrage, and he later clarified his thoughts in an extended tweet.
"Clearly, the angry, threatened and threatening, hostile comments are coming from gun owners and gun advocates," wrote the actor. "Despite these massacres recurring and despite the 100,000 Americans that die every year die to domestic gun violence - these people see no value to even considering some kind of control as to what kinds of weapons are put in civilian hands."
"Military weapons … belong in accountable hands, controlled hands and trained hands," explained Alexander. "They should not be in the hands of private citizens to be used against police, neighborhood intruders or people who don't agree with you."
The Aurora shooting left 12 people dead and 58 people injured. A suspect, 24-year-old James Holmes, is being held in custody as the investigation continues.
