Top 5 Pro-Gun Celebrities

Surprisingly, there are pro-gun celebrities. I say “surprisingly,” because Tinseltown is often thought to be one of the hotbeds for anti-gun zealotry. It is — but some notable actors, actresses and musicians have been able to earn a living there despite the palpable animus that exists toward those who enthusiastically exercise their Constitutional right to keep and bear arms.

After giving it considerable thought, I decided to come up with a list of the top five pro-gun celebrities. My rubric for evaluations was based off of three criteria:

1. Fame Factor, which is to say how famous and relevant are they? A-lister, B-lister, Has been?
2. How outspoken are they on the Second Amendment? Are they closet 2A supporters or do they wear their love of firearms on their sleeve?
3. Finally, how much do I admire their work? Do they put out movies or music I actually watch and listen to?

1. Team Brangelina

Yup. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are my number one. Easy decision if you ask me. Yes, it’s kinda unfair that I’m using them as a two for one, but it’s my list so I reserve the right to bend the rules.

With respect to the scoring system not only does this high-profile couple love firearms and freely admit that they do, but they’ve also appeared in some of the best movies ever made (I’d say “Fight Club” is in my top 25 favorite films).

A quote from Pitt on the relationship between guns and America:

I absolutely don’t believe you can put sanctions or shackles on what is made. Nor do I want to pretend the world is different than what we witnessed that night… America is a country founded on guns. It’s in our DNA. It’s very strange but I feel better having a gun. I really do. I don’t feel safe, I don’t feel the house is completely safe, if I don’t have one hidden somewhere. That’s my thinking, right or wrong.

2. Clint Eastwood

Yeah, he could have easily been my number one. I love Clint. I love the majority of his movies too. Even those that are not considered to be iconic Eastwood movies: “Heartbreak Ridge,” “Every Which Way but Loose,” “In the Line of Fire,” among others.

One can argue that with his directing and acting credentials, Eastwood could easily be on the Mt. Rushmore of Hollywood celebrities. He’s a legend. It doesn’t hurt our cause that he’s pro-gun too!

Here’s an excerpt from the Washington Examiner that recounts how Eastwood summed up his views on gun control while attending an event at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in his honor in 2012.

I am a grand believer in the safety of firearms, and I’ll leave you with this story,” the actor and director said. Eastwood told the tale of a middle aged woman being stopped in her car by a police officer. The cop notices that she has a concealed weapons permit and asks her if she has a gun. She does–locked in the glove compartment there’s a 59 automatic Smith & Wesson gun. “‘oh, great, anything else?'” Eastwood says the officer asked. The answer? Yes — in the console a .357 revolver and two boxes of ammunition. Anything else? Again, yes, in the woman’s purse there was a 40 caliber Glock automatic and two extra clips.

And he says, ‘my God woman, what are you afraid of?’ and she says, ‘freakin’ nothing,'” Eastwood smirked. “That sort of sums up my gun control.

3. Johnny Depp

Yeah, Depp is a mercurial talent. Some of his performances are masterful and otherworldly (Edward Scissorhands) while others are just downright weird and creepy (His Willy Wonka was terribly offensive to the great Gene Wilder). Yet, no one can argue that Depp is a mega star. And I like Depp. Not nearly as much as Clint, but when he’s not doing one of those big budget, high concept family films, I’m typically willing to watch him at work.

Depp is not a huge Second Amendment advocate. Not nearly as outspoken as Eastwood and Team Brangelina, but he is one of us (or so it appears).

Here’s what Depp had to say about teaching his children about firearms.

We would just go out and line up a bunch of cans and shoot with rifles, handguns and at times, submachine guns… When I was a kid it was a controlled atmosphere, we weren’t shooting at humans… we were shooting at cans and bottles mostly. I will most certainly take my kids out for target practice.

4. Ted Nugent

The Nuge’s star power has waned since the 1970s and 80s. He’s no longer selling out stadiums. But for what the aging rockstar lacks in fame, he certainly makes up for in his 2A advocacy as very few would dispute that Uncle Ted is arguably the most pro-gun celebrity on the face of the planet.

Though he can be divisive and inflammatory at times, I like Ted. I have had the pleasure of interviewing him a few times and I will say this, it always makes for a memorable experience!

Here’s an interview I had with the Motor City Madman when I was working for Guns.com:

5. Ice-T

Sure, Ice-T is not an A-lister but he does have a regular gig on one of those CSI shows. So, I’d say he’s a solid B-lister.  As far as an actor and rapper, Ice-T’s pretty good. I don’t think he’s legendary, but he’s certainly no scrub.  I dig some of his stuff.

What I really like about Ice-T is his practical candor when discussing firearms. He simply gets it. For him, owning a firearm is a way to keep tyrants in check — not go hunting.

I love this interview: