- About ten years ago, Neeson, an Irish-born actor, made some comments
regarding firearm ownership in the U.S. I was unable to find any audio
of his comments but there are
several articles
about them. According to a
Snopes article*,
- Neeson is quoted: "It is the right to bear arms which is the problem."
- The article states, "Neeson acknowledged he felt like a bit of a hypocrite for starring in gun-heavy action movies such as Taken (Ya think?) but added his movies don't portray realistic violence." Say what? How much more realistic can gun violence get? He continued: "My defense is that it's very much cartoon violence. That's what I see it as: Tom and Jerry played out with human beings." He's comparing his Taken movies to cartoon violence? Really? I don't think so.
* For whatever reason, several links in the Snope's article are no longer valid.
- Neeson is quoted: "It is the right to bear arms which is the problem."
- Gunmaker
PARA USA,
who provided an arsenal of firearms for Taken 3, took exception to Neeson's comments.
They claimed that they "won't provide guns for any more of Neeson's films." If PARA
wants to turn down additional income and movie credits over an actor's comments
on gun control, it's their loss. As for Neeson, he has no problem with PARA USA
providing firearms for his blockbuster movie, but would prefer that you not be
allowed to purchase any of them for your personal protection.
- Neeson also commented: "I grew up watching cowboy movies, loved doing that
[gun gesture] with my fingers, 'Bang, bang, you're dead!' I didn't end up a killer."
Okay, he's got me there. I also watched more than my share of westerns, Dirty Harry
movies, died a thousand deaths as a WWII soldier playing with toy and cap guns
in the neighborhood, and also did not wind up a killer.
However, as I've grown older, I've become more sensitive about depictions of violence in media. It's one thing to watch a short shootout on NCIS and another to watch an entire movie where dozens are shot and killed. If anyone wants to accuse me of hypocrisy or splitting hairs, fine. 
Neeson is all for gun control but has no problem earning millions of $$ while depicting the irresponsible and illegal use of firearms, including in gun free zones like train stations.
cell phone in one hand, handgun in
the other. Now, there's a good idea.shooting from a train with another train
on the opposite track -- another good idea
