Jesse James Triggers Controversy With Pro-NRA Rant In Wake Of Sandy Hook
Dec. 25 2012, Published 10:00 a.m. ET
Days after Jesse James posted a rant in favor of the National Rifle Association, people on both sides of the issue were still buzzing on the topic on his Facebook page.
James encouraged joining the NRA in a December 22 post, just eight days after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, citing his own experience as a business owner in Long Beach, California, a city with an ongoing gang problem.
"Since the 1980's California has led the nation with the strictest gun control laws," the 43-year-old wrote. "In the middle of this state I have seen more dead bodies than I can count. On my way to work at least once a week in the early mornings streets are often closed off with yellow tape. Because somebody is dead from a gun shot wound. Or sometimes bodies were just seen laying there waiting for police to arrive."
James, the ex of Oscar-winning actress Sandra Bullock, wrote that police officer friends of his would check in with him weekly "to make sure I was carrying a gun at all times.
"They would want to see it to make sure. They would tell me 'You better be packing.' For the last 20 years living in California I could never let my guard down, not even for a minute. This is what living in a state with strict gun control was like."
The Monster Garage personality wrote that "since moving to Texas (a state with far less gun restrictions) I have not seen one dead body. have not experience any drive by shootings … I have for the first time in my life enjoyed the freedom to purchase and shoot the guns of my choice. I have been able to enjoy these things with my family and teach them the safe proper way to shoot, handle, and secure weapons. Using the freedoms that the 2nd Amendment protects."
Adding that "people that should not have guns, will still find a way to get them," Jesse urged his Facebook friends to "Please join the NRA Now."
James accompanied the post with a self-pic shooting a rifle.
James' rant comes in contrast to what has been a very pro-gun control reaction from Hollywood in reaction to the violence in Newtown, Connecticut, with stars like Beyonce, Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba, Jamie Foxx, Reese Witherspoon and Jon Hamm appearing in a PSA appealing to reinforce gun laws.
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