Rapper Ice-T defends Gun Rights in interview

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cannonfire

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Moderators if this belongs in the Civil Rights section, feel free to move.

In an interview with a news anchor, rapper Ice-T shows his view on gun rights.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy, anchor, Channel 4 News: So do you carry guns routinely at home?

Ice-T: Yeah, it's legal in the United States. It's part of our Constitution. You know, 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.

Anchor: And do you see any link between that and these sorts of incidents (Aurora)?

Ice-T: No. Nah. Not really really. You know what I'm saying, if somebody wants to kill people, you know, they don't need a gun to do it.
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Part of the interview here

Although I do not feel like he speaks very well, he does bring views that many 2nd Amend supporters use as arguments. It was interesting to see a "celebrity" bringing forward their support of the 2nd Amend and gun rights, but I don't know if this will be good or bad for gun owners. A couple of points come to mind.

1. He says it is protection from police. This coming from a man who released songs and albums about gangs, killing police, and violence. Is his point tainted at all?

2. Will he paint a bad picture to gun owners and be controversial like Ted Nugent? I understand Ted is much more vocal but he at times gives the impression that all gun owners are radical people.


Overall, I think the publicity is good for gun rights. He points out arguments that defend the 2nd Amend from a pretty stable platform.

Your thoughts?
 
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Maybe not so good.

I fear that many people would see this in a negative way. As in another "gangsta with a gun". Many people view performers in the role they play rather than as a real person with a rational mind. Most people think of John Wayne as a cowboy. I have read and heard that he was afraid of horses and didn't ride well. Don't know if that is true or not, but hopefully you get my point.
 
The police comment will throw people, but his original point stands. The 2nd Amendment has always been about the common people having the means to protect themselves from tyranny. It is a short history lesson to look at oppressed people and how often the first step is to disarm them.

However, a fairly salient point made in the interview is that you don't need a gun to kill people. We can keep trying to outlaw "things" in an effort to stop murder, but I suspect murder will still be with us.

In some defense of his viewpoint, Ice-T actually did grow up in a bad neighborhood and the police were not seen as a benevolent force. Especially in the era he would have grown up in. The police in the eyes of someone like that represents "The Government". We all have a different picture when we think of tyranny.

At the same time, those same bad neighborhoods have all kinds of assaults happen, and guns are used in just part of them. Firearms are expensive, unless they are stolen. Either way, a barrier of entry. To think that the streets will be safer if they are restricted is a fantasy.
 
Overall, I think the publicity is good for gun rights. He points out arguments that defend the 2nd Amend from a pretty stable platform.
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While I am not really a big fan of Ice-T I do think he may be able to speak to a constituency that might not listen to more traditional defenders of gun rights. It is very important that we do not allow the defense of the Second Amendment to be seen as an issue for only one political party. The more people are exposed to gun ownership in a positive and inclusive manner the better off we will all be.

Note: While I may not like Ice-T have no doubt I love sweet tea. :D
 
Actually, I think you said it better. I was just throwing in my 2 cents worth.

I also wonder about how positive Ted Nugent's comments and behavior are for our cause. Don't get me wrong, I like Ted, but he is a little radical, outspoken, wild or however you want to describe him. I can't quite find the right word for what I mean. I don't mean he is wrong, however.

I do appreciate celebrity support for 2A, though.
 
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I don't think an actor that lives in a mansion (him) will be confused with a " gangsta with a gun" while he may not be the most articulate person in some people's view he strikes a chord and I think he makes a really good point and it's a point made from a very different perspective then what I assume is the median demographic here. It's valuable when anyone in the public eye stands up for gun rights.
 
It's a big tent. The man's a celebrity. Somebody that won't hear you will hear him.
I'm more of an Ice Cube fan, but he hasn't stepped up yet.
 
I don't think an actor that lives in a mansion (him) will be confused with a " gangsta with a gun"
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I just heard a comment on a Fox news debate about "Clint Eastwood with guns blazing". This was supposed to be an intellectual debate, but that line blew intellectual out of the water.

Maybe you don't have to associate yourself with many of the type of folks I was suggesting might see the "gangsta", but I do believe they are there. Unfortunately, I know people that think that way.

Again, don't get me wrong. I understand what he was saying and appreciate it.
 
OKAY ???

Rapper Ice-T supports Gun Rights
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I'm happy for him but so what? By my measure, it really doesn't matter. ... ;)

My hero, no longer walks this earth but still going strong !!! ..... :)

Be Safe !!!
 
BarryLee

That's a great point about his ability to talk and be heard by folks who would not listen to traditional supporters. The more diverse the audience listening about gun rights, the more productive the gun right "movement" will be.

Like I said I think his support is good for the cause, I'm just afraid his past and character will be used as ammunition against gun rights
 
1. He says it is protection from police. This coming from a man who released songs and albums about gangs, killing police, and violence. Is his point tainted at all?
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That is the point of the 2nd. Protection from a tyrannical government. Or at least that is the new interpretation divorcing the militia stipulation from the individual right.
So if the 2nd protects the right to revolution and it is an individual rather than a communal right, then shooting cops in self protection falls under the 2nd.
 
The only point of contact that most people will have with government is the police. I can certainly see why someone who grew up "in da hood" would identify "police" as the source of tyranny. I don't agree, but can see why someone would have that perspective.
 
I didn't grow up in da hood, and the police are the biggest worst gang of all. The have colors, backup, and color of law. They have taken more money from my family than any crook ever dreamed of.

Us folks who are law abiding (or trying to be) have more to fear from the police than criminals, because we're trying to respect the Laws and regulations, and that's where the police delight in extorting money from the family, technicalities without even a victim! :(

I applaud Ice-T for his support, whether I like rap or not. (I don't).
 
I saw the article too. His image has changed considerably from "gangsta with a gun" over the last few years. He's been playing a detective on SVU for years, and while that doesn't make him a hero, it does cultivate a positive image. Also, his words can reach an audience that most of us never could. I was watching SVU the other day and his partner (Munch) asked what his dirtiest secret was. He replied, "I'm a Republican." Must've been true:D.
 
I would have never expected it from him. I suspect his days are now numbered on SVU. The Law & Order franchise and the people that run it, are very liberal.
It takes a fair bit of courage to go against the flow in show business. I wish him luck.
 
Well, first of all, given the lyrical content of the bulk of Ice T's early work, it is immediately obvious that he stands up for black rights in a country wrought with police corruption and 'keeping his people down'. Whether or not he saw specific examples of hate, I do not know (I imagine, though, that his content is based on experience) however I applaud his decision to challenge censorship and publish content that he felt the world should hear. As a musician (many of you think he is not, but I enjoy hip hop immensely and see no distinction for the term music between guitars and electronic blips) I think that we either get it or we don't, but musical integrity should be preserved.

Ice T standing up for gun rights doesn't surprise me all that much. In fact, I'll hedge my bets and posit that MOST celebrities are gun owners, legally or illegaly. Ice Cube may never have "stepped up", but it's obvious by the myriads of pictures of him posing with AKs in the 90s that he has some experience with firearms.
 
OK, so he's supporting gun rights in the US.

But that was a UK broadcast.

Better that some people risk some unpopularity by being more vocal Stateside.

Also it's a bit unfortunate that he made it about protection from the "police".

Putting the image of police being shot at as part of gun-ownership will not endear the cause to many, IMHO.
 
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