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John Rich, one half of the country duo Big & Rich, responded over the weekend to two of his fellow musicians who have thrown their weight behind an effort to institute universal background checks on all gun purchases.
“The issue with gun control, you look at it and you go, ‘These maniacs, these vicious people are taking a weapon and shooting people with it.’ And then the flip side of that is, right now, I’m in New York City and back in Nashville is my wife and my two little kids,” Rich told Fox News. “And if somebody breaks into my house, which rifle would you suggest I tell my wife to grab?
“Which one should she grab? The one that gives her the best chance at protecting her and my kids or the one that doesn’t?” Rich asked fellow country music artists. “Those are the types of questions I would like to ask them.”
SEE ALSO: Sheryl Crow is Disappointed More Country Stars Aren’t for Gun Control
Rich is responding to Tyler Hubbard and Dierks Bentley, who announced on Instagram their partnership with a campaign called “End Gun Violence Together” sponsored by the clothing brand TOMS.
“Proud of my friend @blakemycoskie and @toms for jumping into the discussion on how we can work together to #endgunviolence,” Bentley wrote on Instragram on Wednesday. “He has a gift for bringing people together and I’m happy to see him applying it to this cause.”
The TOMS campaign allows activists to send a “postcard” to their U.S. representatives urging them to institute universal background checks, which they claim are supported by “90% of Americans.”
Hubbard also announced his partnership with TOMS, asking his supporters to “hear my heart” for the “betterment of humanity.”
“As a proud gun owner myself, that’s a right and a privilege I take very, very serious,” Hubbard says in the video. “We can all come together and agree that something has to change. It’s unacceptable. We shouldn’t have to walk out of the house and live in fear anymore.”
SEE ALSO: Gun Buybacks Are Waste of Time, No Evidence They Reduce Crime
Along with concerns over self-defense, Rich also expressed apprehension about the possibility of a nationwide mandatory buyback, a policy that could only be implemented with universal background checks.
“I heard one congressman, he was talking about running for President, say he would institute a mandatory buyback of everybody’s guns. That’s what scares people like myself,” Rich said. “Once you start moving in that direction someday you could actually see that happen where somebody literally knocks on your door and says, ‘Mr. Rich, we’re here to purchase all your weapons back.’”
“This is where this can lead to. If [Hubbard and Bently] are going to say that, give us some kind of a solution. What do you think we should do?”
Rich isn’t wrong. California Rep. Eric Swalwell (D) penned an op-ed back in May calling for exactly this policy.
Rather than reinstate the Clinton “assault weapons” ban, Swalwell wrote, “we should ban possession of military-style semiautomatic assault weapons, we should buy back such weapons from all who choose to abide by the law, and we should criminally prosecute any who choose to defy it by keeping their weapons.”
Rich clarified that he’s friends with both Hubbard and Bentley, but he doesn’t understand how imposing restrictions on law-abiding gun owners will keep mentally unstable people from wreaking havoc.
“I have my firearm and my concealed weapons permit to defend myself against the crazy guys,” he said.
Wonder what Hank would say to these rhinstone pantywaist cowboys?
Big talk from a couple second rate “country” singers. They must not true country or they would never align themselves with dimwitted democraps.
These “country singers” look about as country as a Prius does. When some “country singers” shoot off their mouths about political or cultural issues they end up sounding like the Dixie Chicks. Remember them? These young “country singers” come across as wannabe pop artists who, due to where they were raised and their age, seem to be totally ignorant what it means to be “country”. I wonder how many of them ever worked a ranch or lived on a farm with the continual work that is needed for that farm to produce an income. My guess is that some can tell real engaging stories about their childhoods that have to include playing soccer and having two moms. Country? Country, my old ass……….
They had a Gun Buy Back program when I lived in Tampa. Fl. They only pay like 5% of what the gun is worth! Then the cops pick out the ones they want to take home and pay NOTHING.
TOMS paid this fool to say this junk and if he had any brians he would know it’s a load of crap that there’s been a mess shooting everyday for 300 plus days. what an idiot. the easiest thing to do is not pay for any of these so-called music and movie peoples living by seeing their movies, buying their records or seeing their concerts. they don’t get a dime of my money and never will.
also a mess shooting is 3 or more people of which they don’t say if it’s crooks or gangbangers shooting each other to a person protecting themselves. more lies put out by the anti-gunners and the like.
Discouraging message, I register, they have my fingerprints, I do everything, Imagine what may be done with all of your information, in the hands of dishonest people.
Our forefathers would not be happy with what has been lost, Our Freedom.
https://www.biography.com/news/founding-fathers-quotes-facts
Meanwhile the psychotropic pharmaceutical factor is ignored once again by another group calling for “gun control.”
How about a position paper on the dangers of big pharma? Protection from self incrimination?
BINGO! These idiots talk about the NRA and other Gun Rights “special interest groups” but NEVER get into the fact that nearly EVERY member of our Congress has stock in Big Pharma, and that BP is one, of if not THE, largest Special interest lobby in Congress.
And they are experimenting on us.
Psychotropic Drugs with serious side effects and that are stringently controlled in 22 other Countries are prescribed with little or NO observation or oversight, and trusted to the individual for self medication.
And the link to mass shootings and these drugs is there, it IS undeniable.
But NOT a word from the MSM nor from our Reps.
But they know.
Listening to this garbage from this clown number one I don’t not a fan the crap music he puts out has no soul number 2 who they hell does he think he is that he can tell people how to think an act number 3 from my cold dead hands
First, the government can’t “buy back” something it never owned.
Second, they aren’t proposing a buy back program. “Buy backs” always involved the voluntary surrender of unwanted firearms. The “buy back” they’re talking about now is confiscation with compensation.
Just list all of the country entertainers whom are backing the anti-gun agenda, and ride the list like a rented mule. When the common sense people of this country see the list, they will do the right thing by avoiding these ass clowns and their products.
I suspect that their musical careers will go in the same direction Dicks Sporting Goods is going, straight down the toilet.
Anyone remember the Sports Authority? They too decided to take an anti-firearm stance, lol.
John Rich said it exactly right. Perfect even. You can’t ‘buy back’ something you’ve never owned in the first place. It’s not ‘gun violence’ either. It’s criminal violence. By CRIMINALS.
Hold the criminals responsible,a felon and/or committing a felony while in possession of a firearm = mandatory 10 years on top of the sentence for the crime.
That sounds good but its already supposed to be a mandatory 25 yrs for a felony conviction with a firearm.Thats the first thing that gets thrown out by the judges and defense lawyers
Now you are getting closer to the bone…lawyers, especially lawyers who are politicians, they are the problem that is driving this mess.
You know, you have to take a really hard line on the issues that really matter to you. If you start accepting compromises on the little things, you soon find you’ve given up so much the big things go away too.
So, what is a “universal background check”? If any Libtards are out there, clue us in as to what exactly a universal background check is! I mean, I hear anti-gun types use this term constantly but never tell us what they mean! Hey Libtards, what is a universal background check?
A behavioral issue isn’t fixed by regulating a tool. Did God put restrictions on clubs or rocks or whatever Cain used to kill Abel his brother? God didn’t even name the object. He banned Cain.
we will remember these two when we go to purchase our country music ! they will be on our boycott list ! we will also make sure to enlighten every body we know to stay away from these two , and pass the word on !! boycott boycott–boycott !
Can the NRA or someone else post and maintain a list of those who say (“sing”) one thing and proclaim another? No need for the list to judge – just quote the words or provide a link to such a video and let us make up our minds whether and how to react. I have recently deleted my Eric Church for the same reason, and will do the same for others when I’m made aware of their similar views.
Mandatory background checks are what they need for universal gun registration. History shows what happen when gun registration happens. Give it probably 25 years and they will ban and confiscate them all when the crisis or manufactured crisis happens.
“Mandatory gun buyback program”?and where do you think they’ll get the money to buy back all these guns??
I can see all the criminals and crazies lining up for this too🙄
A behavioral issue isn’t fixed by regulating a tool. Did God put restrictions on clubs or rocks or whatever Cain used to kill Abel his brother? God didn’t even name the object. He banned Cain.
I stopped listening to most country music about 8 years ago. It amazes me that any performer would alienate a large portion of their audience, Dierks Bentley certainly doesn’t have a problem performing songs that promote the possible illegal use of firearms, as “What Was I Thinkin’,”
“…urging them to institute universal background checks, which they claim are supported by “90% of Americans.”
Is there something I’m missing? What is the form you fill out when buying a firearm?? Or is this something else where they want to take guns away from you, especially if you fall under “mentally ill?”
The modern country singer not a country singer at all. If their music does not have roots in the original, then it is just country pop. So these folks that come out thinking they can help by supporting anti-firearm ownership groups such as this, are no better than the most entrenched NYC liberal. You can’t be country without a fiddle in the band.
My MO State Rep parrots the anti-gunner motto, “We have to do something”..?? She has NO solution and won’t go after the CRIMINAL. I suggested a Mandatory Death Sentence for anyone illegally shooting another person to help stop crime: her response, “I’m against the death penalty”. In reality she doesn’t really want to stop CRIMINALS from killing others because she won’t do anything against them; she only wants another “law” they won’t follow and only penalizes legal gun owners. until “politicians” wake up and do the right thing, nothing will change. We should be IMPEACHING any politician that VIOLATES OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS at every level of government. This is the only way we are going to take back America from the CRIMINALS AND POLITICIANS..
👏👏👏 RIGHT ON!!!! Well stated! Although I might be inclined to hang the politicians but we can start with impeachment then hang them. Actions are suppose to have consequences when breaking the law or one’s oath of office.
Just like most of the entertainers and actors today! This have this holier than thou attitude! The truth is, they have cannon ball mouth and BB Ass! And as far as that un American, cowardly, liberal fascist Swalwell goes, come to Texas and get you some, you piece of chicken crap! Your name will fit you well if you try to take my weapons, you better swallow well!
Stop giving these fools your dollar!
The problem is most of these “country” singers arent Country at all. Just because they sing country music doesn’t mean they have the values of people from rural areas. Most didnt grow up hunting and fishing and being taught gun safety and and having firearms passed down for generations. Like a buddy of mine says “You just can’t get over being town raised….”
If these people that go against our constitution. It is a long term plan to make this country communist they want a complete government control. And the people have no voice in the operation of this country. People are to busy to see what is relay what is going on. WAKE UP PEOPLE WAKE PEOPLE WAKE UP PEOPLE. Without our guns we are helpless . The bad guy is the only one with a gun.
It’s just pathetic how many azzholes start talking like radical leftists once they have become rich enuff to have a security detail around them. And suddenly think because they have “Fans” they somehow automatically have some kinda expert advice or policy that We should be happy about. If your an entertainer of anykind this is the quickest way to alienate half your audience is to suddenly start preaching to us pheasants! I don’t like new “country music” anyway! Half these punks know nothing about being country.
Maybe anytime one of these “entertainers” wants to make a statement, either through speech or song, it needs to be cleared by a nameless government bureaucrat in DC. Let’s see how they like THAT right regulated, restricted, and infringed.
Used to love Reba but had to cut her loose in the Nineties for this issue. Reba started giving away tickets to Her concerts if you “turned in ” a firearm for her to destroy. Tim Mcgraw and Faith Hill are just as bad, the list goes on and I cannot understand it if for nothing else that they do not know their audience.
I am a law abiding marine veteran and will not give up my guns with out a fight and there are millions of me! Sothe communist that want to disarm us should be prepared for the second civil war.
There’s no problem with not buying the music, or not going to the concerts, but here is the problem, they have a giant stage with which to put forth their agenda. The stage which you and I do not have. So even if 44 people don’t go to the concert 4400 do. 4400 people that will listen to the crap about guns. I don’t understand where these people get the knowledge and the expertise. Kris Kristofferson is a Rhodes Scholar, the rest I have no idea about. My conclusion is they’re no more educated than I am. I’m a disabled combat Marine, I worked for the Department of Defense on nuclear submarines, and I’m now retired and have to listen to all of this crap about me and my guns. I am so sick of it!
More scared of nut job like this than the criminals. If some one comes to your door say you dont have any. (moron)
You are so “data-based” at this point that they know what calibers, how many, what types, and what toilet paper you used this morning. Every camera in your house can be turned on with out you knowing. Sounds paranoid but several companies have now admitted it. Thank the internet, cell phones, and CCTV. If you are rural enough to not have any of these items in your home, They will just use sound detectors and satellites that track your shooting habits. SO good luck saying you don’t have one!(moron)
It is nice to see someone speak up and in defense of the constitution instead of going against it. But here is my suggestion, and the one that will work best, stop targeting the law abiding and actually target the criminals who commit the crimes. In every city where there are large amounts of gun violence it could be stopped pretty quickly just by giving law enforcement the go ahead to sweep the streets of all the known individuals who commit these types of crimes, they know who they are, and likely as well know where they are. Time to stop targeting the wrong people. And to all the snowflakes if you don’t like guns just shut up and keep it to yourself, you don’t have to own them, some of us would prefer to protect ourselves and our families as the constitution has allowed for, you go right ahead and be a victim I don’t want to be.
Because, it’s not about stopping criminals, it’s about taking away the people’s power and making them conform. It’s what fascists do. If the subjects don’t have guns, power becomes more centralized toward the ruling class, they can continue their power grab without meaningful resistance, and then they’ll take the rest of rights they believe the founding fathers mistakenly gave us. This is how to “transform America,” as our prior progressive president called for. Here comes national (as in the big govt controls everything kind, not the woohoo America is great kind) socialism… Nationalsozialismus.
Here’s my solution to musicians who feel the need to become gun grabbers: never buy their products, never listen to their music and never go to their concerts. And to John Rich, I’m your newest fan!
Who cares what these entertainers think. I for one can turn them off when ever I feel like it, whether I skip their songs, or turn the channel. When will they realize their opinions are like assholes, everyone has one, so keep them to theirselves. They are paid to Entertain, not push a political agenda. By the way I never have cared much for Sheryl Crow, and Florida Georgia Line as well as Deirks has been D E L E T E D.
Glad to see John has our backs in this he has always been a man of common sense and speaks up for the American constitution wish more were like him ,those who aren’t don’t get my concert or music money wish you all would practice that right and boycott these anti constitutional actors and musicians.