UK & World News
- 4 February 2013, 8:42
Sylvester Stallone Backs Assault Weapon Ban
Sylvester Stallone plays a hitman in his latest film Bullet To The Head - but now he has spoken out in favour of new national gun control legislation in the US.
The Rambo star supported the 1994 so-called Brady Bill that included a now-expired ban on assault weapons and says he wants the ban reinstated.
Stallone said: "I know people get (upset) and go, 'They're going to take away the assault weapon.'
"Who ... needs an assault weapon?
"Unless you're carrying out an assault ... You can't hunt with it ... Who's going to attack your house, a (expletive) army?"
December's gun massacre at Sandy Hook elementary school in Connecticut and other recent attacks have intensified the gun debate in the US, prompting President Barack Obama to propose new legislation on assault weapons.
Stallone, 66, said he also hopes there will be an additional focus on mental health to prevent future mass shootings.
"It's unbelievably horrible, what's happened. I think the biggest problem, seriously, is not so much guns. It's that every one of these people that have done these things in the past 30 years are ... crazy. Really crazy!
"And that's where we've dropped the ball: mental health. That to me is our biggest problem in the future, is insanity coupled with isolation."
Bullet To The Head opened in British cinemas on February 1.
Stallone stars as Jimmy Bobo, a New Orleans hitman who forms an alliance with Washington DC detective Taylor Kwon (Sung Kang) to bring down the killer of their respective partners.
what do you think?
Paul Grice
But they drew first blood.The yanks are nothing like the British when it comes to guns and gun law. We had to give up are hobby and guns because of the foolishness of one man so we all handed the guns in only because we were out numbered by the majority.America. guns are the majority it's in their culture their history they will never give up their weapons. However I have to say as much fun as it is to shoot an assault rifle he is right you don't need in civilian life
Louisa Gieldon
Paul try describing the Dunblane tragedy as one man's "foolishness" to the parents of all the dead five year olds. I reckon that, dignified as they are, they would blanche at your choice of words. There were several other incidents which preceded Dunblane, notably the Hungerford massacre. I was very proud that our government banned the personal ownership of firearms after these deaths. Guns have no place in our society or any other.
Lorgar Aurelian
But the criminals can have as many as they want...
Louisa Gieldon
But Lorgar they cannot get a state sanctioned weapon and we have made a clear moral statement about the unacceptability of legalised guns. Anyone can get anything they want on the black market but that doesn't mean we should sanction the sale of anything. To use that argument would mean legalising many unacceptable desires and tastes.
michael
i woudn't trust a yank with any gun especially if they are behind me.no matter how friendly.
Louisa Gieldon
Interesting from a man whose latest cinematic offering is entitled "Bullet to the head"! What a peacenik he is!
Nat_j2b
He's an actor. He is paid big money to pretend. It doesn't mean he agrees with guns. Gotta make a living somehow.
Louisa Gieldon
But there is no nobility in making films that go against your personal beliefs. If you make films glorifyinf violence as most of Stallone's films do, isn't it hypocritical to make a statement like that one. I appreciate that an actor's business is make believe but you have to have some personal ethical base surely?
jimmyjedi1979
This man can't make a film unless he has an assault weapon. What a hypocrite. Although good strategy by the government to dupe the masses into believing they should hand over their weapons cus a celebrity thinks its a good idea. Ha ha. Celebrities know best! Now you sheep fall in line and play ball.
stevie may
Didn't know sheep could play ball. . . Midfield or striker?
Lorgar Aurelian
It's his favourite line... ironic that the thing most like a sheep is Jimmy, bleating away in the corner...
Rob Unstable
Why is he a hypocrit? because he ACTS in films which typically involve guns? Thats entertainment nothing more lol or do you think assualt weapons in.films will also disapear if assualt weapons get a us ban hahaha
executecodered
No assault weapons in Rocky 1-6, his most famous role. So there's 6 films at least to call BS on your opening statement.
jimmyjedi1979
No he just made 6 films of himself smashing his fists into people faces. I doubt you people know anything about gun control or the implications on freedom if assault weapons were to be taken a away. Luckily it won't happen though- the American people are on to their government.
jimmyjedi1979
Rob he glorified assault weapons and murder. How can he ascend the moral high ground?
TIM x
Well said sly. No not a hypocrite either I hardly think he walks down his local street with an assault rifle! Making movies is his job and people not separating fantasy from reality will complain. And no his movies do not cause people to go killing others either. Its because of their own mental health problems that they do these awful things. I love Stallone movies but I am not going to run amok with a gun!
jimmyjedi1979
Perhaps their mental health problems are influenced by his violent films. We should ban all violent films in case someone with mental health problems watches one.
Angela Gildea
I completely agree with him. Why are people with mental health issues allowed to own a gun? These people can't separate reality from computer games and movies-the same as some of you people on here. Oh and Jimmy, we do understand gun control as do many Americans but there are so so precious about their goddam rights, to prove a point they would rather cut of their noses to spite their faces or rather have a nut job blow away their childrens faces. The time for change has come.
shaun spencer
People can still have mental breakdowns.or a rush to the head and if a guns available to them their likely to use it.
shaun spencer
America could do with more celebs speaking out. Any publicity against guns is good publicity.so good for sylvester
Vincent Stafford
Well done and good luck to all people from all walks of life who are willing to say **** you to the NRA and the rest of the weapon happy nutjobs.
Brian Quinn
5:20pm on 2/2/2013
Well said Sylvester.