Tom Arnold writes gun control essay after nephew commits suicide
Tom Arnold is voicing some strongly worded support for gun control measures following the suicide of his Army veteran nephew, Spencer.
The “True Lies” star wrote an essay, published by the Hollywood Reporter, making the case for stricter gun laws despite being a longtime gun owner himself.
“Like most people who grew up in rural Iowa, I am a gun owner and a supporter of the Second Amendment. As a hunter, farmer and former meat packer, guns have been a part of my life since I took ‘Rifle Range’ at YMCA camp when I was 5,” Arnold wrote.
But in light of Spencer’s death -- the 24-year-old vet shot himself after having a disagreement with a girlfriend -- Arnold sees clear need for reform. The actor wrote that Spencer “was kicked out of the Army after attempting suicide. He was diagnosed as chronically depressed and unsafe around weapons. Yet he was able to get a concealed weapon permit from the state of Iowa and buy five guns.”
“Spencer having five loaded guns next to his bed every night is like me sleeping next to a dresser made out of chocolate cake and filled with cocaine,” Arnold, an outspoken recovery advocate, wrote. “I will probably be totally cool forever, unless someone says something that kinda hurts my feelings and … f**k it.”
Arnold takes aim at the National Rifle Association for preventing Congress from passing stricter gun control legislation that bolsters background checks.
“I wish I could wave a wand and make Congress fearless. Then they wouldn’t kowtow to the NRA so easily. Same for a lot of my fellow Americans,” he argued. “The NRA has convinced people that a home with a gun is safer than one without a gun. That is a lie. Not even close, and the odds are about 8-to-1 that if someone does get hurt with that gun, it’s not going to be a bad guy. It’s going to be the owner or a friend or family member.”