Rapper Ice-T Defends Gun Rights After ‘Dark Knight’ Shooting: ‘The Last Form of Defense Against Tyranny’
- Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:15pm by
Jason Howerton
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Following the tragic shooting in Aurora, Colo., where lone gunman James Holmes opened fire on a movie theater, killing 12 people and wounding 50, the debate over gun control has once again been thrust into the forefront of American politics. He reportedly used an AR-15 assault rifle, a .40 cal Glock handgun and a 12 gauge shotgun to carry out the killings.
Some have argued that the country’s gun laws helped Holmes carry out his killing spree and those on the hard Left have even called for an outright ban on assault weapons.
(Related: See other coverage on The Blaze related to the Aurora “Dark Knight” shooting)
Others, though, have defended the gun rights of Americans, cautioning Americans against blaming a lack of gun laws before a motive in the case is even determined. One of those people, believe it or not, is rapper and actor Ice-T.
Talking with Channel 4 London’s Krishnan Guru-Murthy just hours after the news of the shooting began to surface, the legendary rapper shot down claims that the Aurora tragedy should be linked to gun rights.
“I’d give up my gun when everybody else does,” Ice-T 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 these sort of incidents?” Guru-Murthy asked.
“No. Not really,” the rapper added. “If somebody wants to kill people, you know, they don’t need a gun to do it.”
“Makes it easier though, doesn’t it?” the host said.
“Not really. You can strap explosives on your body. They do that all the time.”
Ice-T said the anti-gun lobby is not going to be able to change America’s gun laws as a result of the Aurora shooting. He argues America is “based” on guns and “it’s not going to change.”
(Related: AP: Renewed Calls for Stricter Gun Laws Getting ‘Little Support’)
As Mediaite points out:
This sounds a lot like a quote from Alan Gura, the lawyer who argued for the gun-owners in the Supreme Court’s McDonald v. Chicago case: “No criminal is going to say, I was gonna hold up that liquor store, I was gonna hold up that couple in the park, but I couldn’t get the permit to get the gun, so I’ll give up.”
Ice’s comments ring particularly true when you think of the unintended consequences of prohibitions of any kind. Strict laws aimed at ridding the streets of recreational drugs, adult prostitution, and gun possession are all well-intentioned, but they ignore the economics of prohibition: most law-abiding citizens are deterred by strict laws, but the people who put a higher premium on possessing those illicit goods will find a way around the law.
When someone is as hell-bent on massacring people at a movie theater as the Aurora gunman was, it is safe to assume they would have gone as far as needed to obtain the proper weapons for such a murderous toll. If not guns, perhaps explosives; if not explosives, perhaps other means of chaos.
Watch Ice-T’s segment with Channel 4 London here:
(h/t: Mediaite)




















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Comments (148)
RAGEAGAINSTTHEMACHINE
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 5:08pmI guess they want to arm the Syrians so they can hunt!
Report Post »P C BE DAMNED
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 8:22pmThe people will defend the republic just like our fore fathers intended. And we will defend the Republic as we always do with vigor. We will have a government by Constitution and an American flag will be on that pole out there. And anybody who wants to try something different. Hey, knock yourself out.
Report Post »But plan on a very severe battle because we will never give up the United States of America, its constitutional government or our American flag or our heritage.
So this idea your gonna wear us out or tie us down otherwise skew us around is nothing but a lot of dung. Ain’t gonna happen in your lifetime.
As a matter of fact , your lifetime may not be that long either. Because we try traitors in this country.
The bottom line is the penalty for treason is death. Its not our purpose to threaten or coerce or otherwise intimidate any person. But we want you to understand. This is the United States of America. This is a country governed by constitutional law. That Constitutional law proscribes penalties for criminal acts. Those criminal acts can be punished by a lawful means.
Were asking all persons that are involved in all walks of government or any areas of law to Please, Please, Please lets get back to the Constitution and quit screwing around.
Were asking you please before God were asking you. We want our Constitution. We want it back. We want all American principles that we stand for, that our brave soldiers died for.
You’ve been feeding the pabul
black9897
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 12:42amthat’s right…don’t mess with Ice-T.
Report Post »right-wing-waco
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 3:03amP C BE DAMNED
Ditto, ditto, and ditto.
Report Post »ElPzee
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 3:44pmArming the Syrians is idiotic, they are barbarians and religious zealots, arming them would ensure the middle east has one more Muslim Brotherhood ran theocracy, leading one step closer to the caliphate.
I couldn’t even fathom what an unarmed America would look like, especially with whats become of our police forces since the 90′s. Even in our own once righteous nation, Our armed citizenry are the only thing preventing tyranny.
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”. B. Franklin
Report Post »All Pro
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 5:06pmStill watching FOX news?
Report Post »Rupert Murdoch made his name as a media mogul, most recently as head of News Corp. (Nasdaq: NWS), one of the most influential media entities in the world. In March, Forbes estimated his net worth as $8.3 billion.
Murdoch is known almost as much for being a conservative as he is for being a media mogul. That’s why it took many people by surprise when he tweeted Saturday: “We have to do something about gun controls. Police license okay for hunting rifle or pistol for anyone without crim or pscho record. No more.”
Murdoch later also tweeted, “We don’t need AK47s to defend ourselves. Nobody does,” according to Politico.
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/365640/20120722/colorado-gun-control-alexander-rupert-murdoch-debate.htm
justangry
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 5:18pmHe’s a CFR member, dude. And I don’t believe they get together to talk about our freedoms and sovereignty. Espeicially when their blog is called “The Internationalist”.
Report Post »jhrusky
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 5:21pmFox News has been turning progressive for quite some time, slow but sure. Something tells me that they have been threatened in a way to ensure they did turn… I don’t know that for certain, but it seems quite possible if not probable. There is always a reason when someone changes sides, and Fox News has definitely changed their stance on issues.
Report Post »NOT A CRAZY
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 5:35pmYou are what the propoganda tells you that you are. Foxnews isn’t a conservative propoganda machine, it is Foxnews and it has plenty of Leftist propoganda. I quit watching Foxnews back before Fast and Furious, when Greta had the federal propagandist on her show every night and they were lying about weapons and lying about how USA guns were crossing into Mexico.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 5:42pmIn this case, it just does not matter what Murdoch wants, any more than what Doomberg wants. There is no mention in the 2nd Amendment that it is exclusively for hunting. In fact, hunting is not mentioned at all. I have rarely agreed with Ice-T on any other matters, but he gets it on this one.
Report Post »BadDog-NoBiscuit
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 6:07pmI have all but given up on Fox News – they are fast becoming like all of the other news media – they have become a part of the problem instead of the solution with their sensationalism, trying to create news and distorting the facts when playing to the crowd for ratings…
Report Post »Patriot Rider
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 6:17pmSo what does a web sight owned and operated by Glen Beck and his company Mercury Radio Arts have to do with Fox News? Did you not know that this sight is in no way affiliated with Fox News? Looks like you all need to get a clue and do a bit of research before you go spouting off about something you have no clue about.
P.S. Glen Beck and Mercury Radio Arts in NOT affiliated in any way, shape or form, with Fox News and it’s parent company NewsCorp.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 6:27pm@Patriot Rider, Who said it did? I just assumed he posted this here because the Blaze folks probably watch either Fox News, or are Libertarians.
Report Post »BadDog-NoBiscuit
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 6:47pm@PATRIOT RIDER: “Looks like you all need to get a clue and do a bit of research before you go spouting off about something you have no clue about.”
As a GBTV Plus subscriber, I am very aware of Glenn’s split with Fox News, which I am happy he did. I was merely relating my thoughts about Fox News – so looks like you need to get a clue before spouting off…
Report Post »lillymckim
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 8:01pmAnd thats when I deleted my auto renewable paid app “The Daily” form my iPad.
Report Post »GP100
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 6:23amFox is the best we‘ve got and that’s not saying much.
Report Post »MODEL82A1
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 5:04pmOn this topic, at least, “Kudos” to Mr. Ice. Or it it Mr. T?
Report Post »BeingThere
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 8:31pmI concur, don’t know much about him but he is right in this case.
Report Post »RAGEAGAINSTTHEMACHINE
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 5:03pmTHANK YOU! Been watching Fox and it‘s all they’re talking about. Of course, NO ONE has said that it is to protect against Tyranny and an out of control government! No anchor is submitting that posture when all the guests do (ESP. The liberals) is talk about how you don’t need semi auto for hunting, etc…and they’re talking up the mental health issue and how if there had been background checks…the guy had no prior RECORD of mental illness, so what was a background check gonna do? I hear about how people on the nat. Terror list should be prevented from purchasing, well, how many people are on that list and don’t even KNOW IT until they try to fly or? How many are put on that list for NO REASON? There’s nothing you can do, you are never adjudicated, never told why and good luck getting your name taken off!! Talk about Tyranny!? Our rights to bear arms shall not be infringed upon! Unless you have A RECORD, which is what the laws already state. Take away people’s rights to protection and you have a theatre full of sitting ducks-exhibit A.
Report Post »Lt_Scrounge
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 8:42pmActually it was either George Washington or Thomas Jefferson who said that the reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms was to protect themselves against those who would impose tyranny upon them, including their own government. Since these two gentlemen were intimately involved in the founding of this country and were intimately familiar with the concept of tyrannical government, I think I’d give their opinions some credence.
Report Post »Plato128
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 4:22pmThomas Jefferson and James Madison.
The Constitution preserves the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation where the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms. – James Madison
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. – Thomas Jefferson
Report Post »The Gooch
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:56pmWell, I suppose here’s the one issue most of us who still believe in freedom vs. fear can agree with this chump on. What’s great about this guy is most of his lily-white peers will never challenge him to his face. PLEASE let him be in the same room as Maher, Garofalo or Behar.
Report Post »Someone just stepped off the reservation. Uh-oh…
ginger100
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:55pmI’ll give up my guns when they ban razor blades, airplanes, cars…..
Report Post »rickc34
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 5:02pmHe is so gangster, afraid of police, can’t leave the past in the past .
Report Post »Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 5:13pm@Rick,
So when you get sideways with the government for any number of newly defined thoughtcrimes do you think the police will pause and think “that’s not really a crime”…or will they just kick your door in?
Report Post »Noahs Last Warning
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 5:24pmWhen the police feel safe enough to lay down weapons, we good citizens may be safe eonough to surrender ours
Report Post »rickc34
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 9:16amroth- my comment was directed towards Ice teas criminal past as a joke. Well if loving God is a crime then I am an outlaw already, so when they come it matters who I am serving, am I serving God or man. Have I made a commitment to my beliefs. The Future is in Gods hands and prophecy will be fulfilled. Violence and violent thoughts make us no different than James Holmes who just carried out his thoughts. Jesus said it is not just what we say but what we think because God is the thought police, he knows what is in our heart (mind) and will judge us.
Report Post »bobefann
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:52pmAt least there is someone in Hollywood with some common sense
Report Post »JQuentinEvermann
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:51pmOur right to bear arms is based on our need to protect ourselves from the government, simple as that. Anybody who talks about hunting or the need to have an “assault” rifle doesn’t understand that government is our ultimate enemy. By definition they place restrictions on our rights. And when they have taken one too many rights away, we are here to defend ourselves from tyranny. Guns are what keep us from turning into any other nation with a government that is in ultimate control. Our congressmen would do well to remember that we have the ULTIMATE veto power.
Report Post »jungle J
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:56pmyou speak as a fool would speak.
Report Post »Awesome5150
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 5:07pmThat is exactly why we have the second amendment! It has nothing to do with hunting and everything to do with Americans protecting themselves from our ever growing government.
Report Post »JQuentinEvermann
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 5:26pmJungle J, you speak as someone who would let others make decisions for you. Since you’re so unconcerned about something that has happened in almost every nation throughout history, perhaps you should move to Cuba…oops…Russia…oops again…China…er…Venezuela…um…North Korea…crap…Burma, Iran, Syria, Egypt, Laos, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Saudi Arabia…wait, who’s the fool again?
Report Post »Just4Rocks
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 6:56pmWe are not a “subject people” the government does not own us. We are by the people, for the people. We have no King (other than Elvis) yet there are many who want the power to force us to do what they think is for the best for us- even as they jail and fine us for (a large soda)…? All creatures have the right to do what they can to protect themselves from harm: humans created governments to protect the society. When governments enslave the people, those governments need to be reformed. Government has guns- criminals have guns- we are to have equal abilities to defend our selves. Thank-You.
Report Post »fishmon
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 7:23pmOur forefathers knew that once men aquire power, they are inherantly predisposed toward the concentration and centralization of it. Those in power tend to want more of it and they aren’t inclined to relenquish it if they can hang on to it. Ice-T is nearly spot on… and he didn’t stutter when he said it. I like that. It goes beyond the police, though. When the amendment was adopted, by my reckoning, the intent was that the citizenry could legally remain on par with the government as far as arms went. Sort of a reminder that the politicians are where they are on our good humor. Alas now we are so outgunned by our government that even if every man woman and child were to bear assault rifles against against a truly tyranical government, I doubt that the citizens would be capable of throwing it off. We don’t get to have helicopter gunships, SAM’s, Claymores, explosives, etc. Not that I really want that stuff. Just sayin. So we lamely engage in arguements about pea shooters while the potential threat maintains an advantage that pretty much renders our armaments little more than a nuisance.
Report Post »JQuentinEvermann
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 9:36amDon’t be so sure that our “pea shooters” wouldn’t do damage. A government that openly exterminates its own citizens comes under heavy pressure from the rest of the world, while trying to engage in limited warfare. Economy of force is essential, as dropping a nuke on Houston would certainly bring the hammer of Hell down on anybody in office at the time. Look what small weapons have been able to do in the limited warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan. U.S. troops, in my opinion, would need more than an order to launch full assaults against U.S. citizens, armed or not. Rather, it would be one of the federal “police” forces such as we saw in Waco that would be used to murder Americans.
I don’t look forward to having to kill U.S. troops, and I hope it never comes to that, but any instrument used by evil is an evil instrument. I served as a U.S. Marine for 8 years, and I would have refused any order that unlawfully directed me into a domestic attack against my own people. Any soldier, sailor or Marine that would kill Americans doesn’t have enough discretion to wear the uniform. Many men and women will be forced to make the decision; will they continue to serve an unlawful government, or will they join the people in the defense of our liberties against oppression.
It really is a shame what we have been brought to, but it was foreseen by our founders, and no student of history should be surprised by the shift in our government to one of malevolence.
Report Post »Elena2010
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:49pmIn Rwanda, the bad guys proved they could kill almost one MILLION human beings w/machetes and fire in the space of 3 mos time.
Banning guns will not ban killers.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 5:49pmWhile the UN stood by and virtually watched.
Report Post »Baja
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 6:23pmThe UN probably helped.
Report Post »CS_GUY
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:45pmHe is not the “renegade” everyone thinks.
Absolutely conservative actor……or sounds that way to me.
Report Post »jungle J
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:57pmbaloney..he says a few words and then you think he has changed a lifetime of hate.
Report Post »horsehockey
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 6:09pm“Absolutely conservative actor…”
Highly unusual/surprising remarks considering the source. His vehicle, Law & Order whatever, does nothing but liberal commentary and it’s on NBC. And, Ice-t has taken many liberal/progressive stances before. But, if he supports gunrights, that’s okay by me, just take the rest of him with a large grain of seasalt.
Report Post »cloudsofwar
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:39pmJoin the NRA defend your gun rights (2nd amend.). nobody else will fight for our gun rights. Gun laws are for the law abiding. if it’s against the law to own a gun then you will be left defensless.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 6:18pmThe Liberty Movement is fighting for all of our rights. Republicans say that’s just rubbish. There are men we created out there that want to destroy our way of life, or something like that while they themselves destroy our way of life. Hope we get it right in 2016.
Report Post »Pray for USA
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:39pmGlad he is speaking out. I bet his co-stars are for gun control, though.
Report Post »morerightrudder
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:34pmRight f…… on!
Report Post »TheEDGE
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:32pmI’ve always said that Bodycount is the worst heavy metal band of all time but, I think Ice is making some sense on this one.
Report Post »cloudsofwar
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:31pmyou need guns to defend yourself from the police? what about criminals. what about people like holmes. what about the OWS mobs and the gangs (flash mobs). i’ll give up my guns…..NEVER. i’ve talk to local cops at the gun shop and i will stand with them anyday. Ice tea your full of crap.
Report Post »SquidVetOhio
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 5:12pmHe’s actually right on. That founding fathers were worried about the government’s oppression of the people. That’s why they wanted to protect gun rights. Shooting criminals is just good common sense!
Report Post »Bob_R_OathKeeper
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:29pmAmerica would not have been born without guns and she will not survive without them.
Report Post »jungle J
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:54pm10/4…proud to claim the title!
Report Post »SquidVetOhio
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:28pm“I am a nightmare walkin’, psychopath talkin’, king of my jungle….”
- Ice T
A former L.A. gangbanger understands the fallacy gun control better than most liberals.
Report Post »000degrees
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:35pmDon’t care for your music, love your common sense……
Report Post »SquidVetOhio
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 5:09pmNot my music. It‘s Ice T’s song from the movie “Colors” with Robert Duvall and Sean Penn back in the 80′s. It was about gang wars between the bloods and the crips. I’m more of a rock/classical/southern gospel guy. I like VERY little rap.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 5:54pmSQUIDVETOHIO, I hear you on both counts.
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHXJKLRBbTk
fancynancy
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:26pmWell, yeah for Ice-T. He is absolutely correct. Someone with evil intentions WILL find a way to do evil. IF a gun is not available, that person will just find another way. Gun control only takes guns out if the hands of law abiding citizens. People who do not care if they break the law will still find a way to get a gun or a mulit-round clip and cause harm to others. When we cannot be armed, we are in danger.
Report Post »copatriots
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:25pmCan he go smack some sense into Ellen Barkin and Jason Alexander?
Report Post »TheEDGE
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:24pmHas the artist who penned such classics as “Cop Killer” and “New Jack Hustler”, finally developed his critical thinking skills?
Report Post »Bob_R_OathKeeper
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:33pmAge or maturity wises people up……..usually.
Report Post »SCREW-WINDOWS
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:43pmHe could start with showing his fans the truth of what really happens when you want to grow up and be a thug the bad guy almost always get caught or killed. Time to stop the glorification of thug and gangster behavior by Hollyweird.
Report Post »Concerned1
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:24pmI am so happy to see Ice T put it to the people. There are all sorts of arguments about guns, but they are all based on erroneous “facts” and completely overlook that gun ownership exists in this country to protect us against tyranny.
One reason why Switzerland was allowed to remain neutral in WWII is that the citizens were armed. I think that am armed citizenry is a good thing.
Report Post »Doggystyle
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:23pmIce T for VP!
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:40pmHe is better than most of the options that have been thrown out. After hearing this, I would like to hear his views on spending, wars, and other freedoms. He might be a good replacement for Romney.
Report Post »BadDog-NoBiscuit
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 6:59pmWell, I don’t know about that – aside from his comments about gun control, I have heard him make weird comments about other things – I think I’ll pass on him for VP…
Report Post »Toltepeceno
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 7:20pmDoggystyle I agree, but I would vote for him over Joe Biteme.
Report Post »georgepatton
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:22pmICE,
Report Post »Your one of the few hollywood people that gets it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please spread the word!
Too_Far_Gone
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:21pmAnd Tyranny We Have ..
So now what ?
Report Post »Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:28pmWe are in that strange time when it’s too late to change anything but too soon to start shooting people. — Claire Woolfe
Report Post »Too_Far_Gone
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:54pm@Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
And “they’re” taking full advantage of it ..
Report Post »ThoreauHD
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 5:22pmThis is the calm before the storm. Don‘t wish for what’s coming. It’ll get here soon enough.
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:20pmThey are right that gun laws have helped him carry out his crime. Colorado has a ban on guns. So even if someone had been carrying a gun that might have stopped him. They would have been arrested on the spot.
Report Post »Blazebanned
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 4:41pm@Heavyduty
Report Post »You are correct, gun bans, gun laws etc..have caused more deaths the the second amendment.Dont believe me enciloon, look at history,and communist and marxist nation, or any nation ruled by a dictator, which is what obama aspires to become.
RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 6:23pmSo right you are. Remember the ‘97 North Hollywood shoot out. The heavily out gunned cops armed with nothing more than their pistols ran to nearby gun shops where the shop owners “loaned” the cops AR15s and provided them with ammo. The local DA, and State AG tried to bring charges against those shops for violating existing gun laws. These are the types of idiotic liberals we are dealing with. Sort of like the mayors who attempted to outlaw local charities from feeding the homeless. Damn the emergency, they know better. Enough to paint themselves into a corner with their very own laws.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on July 24, 2012 at 8:49amColorado has a gun ban?!?
The theater had/has a gun ban, as many theaters do. That’s why this waste of air was able to shoot calmly then calmly walk out to his car when he was done and sit down and wait for arrest.
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