Last Monday, the 22nd, the United States was shaken by the news of yet another of the recurring mass shootings in the country. The tragedy culminated in the death of 10 people in the city of Boulder, Colorado, and followed another episode that occurred less than a week earlier in Atlanta, the capital of Georgia. That incident left 8 dead; among them, 6 were women of Asian descent.
Due to the frequency of these types of shootings in the United States, the American population, some authority figures, and artists have been mobilizing for years, calling for greater control over the flow of weapons in the country. Recently, some names in music (including gun owners) have shared their opinions on a stricter policy.
On Tuesday, the 23rd, Dee Snider of Twisted Sister responded to a tweet from U.S. House Representative Lauren Boebert, known for her pro-gun stance. The representative made a mocking comment about people who call for greater gun control in the country, mentioning the AR-15 rifle, which is easily accessible to American citizens. Snider retorted: “I’m proud to be a gun owner, I defend the Second Amendment, and I BELIEVE IN SMART GUN CONTROL!!! If you need an AR-15 for self-defense… You’re a terrible shooter.”
The Second Amendment mentioned by Snider refers to a US constitutional amendment that guarantees the right of the United States population to bear arms in the name of self-defense. Citing Snider's tweet, Sebastian Bach seemed to agree with the musician's position, writing, "People who believe the year is 1776 and the Second Amendment literally applies in 2021 don't even understand the difference between a musket and an AR-15." Bach also expressed solidarity with the victims of the attacks and showed his indignation, questioning, "Why are we the only country on the planet that allows this to happen?"
Another name that commented on the subject was Noodles. The Offspring tweeted a critique of gun culture, making a pun on cancel culture. The tweet was met with sarcasm by an internet user, to which Noodles replied, "You're going to take control of the police and the army with your AR-15? Good luck with that."
All That Remains vocalist Phil Labonte has demonstrated his pro-gun stance and opposition to gun control policies. In a series of tweets, the musician stated his point of view, arguing that "any gun laws are an infringement" and that "no military weapon should be prohibited from private ownership."
READ ALSO: Dee Snider claims Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame is “elitist” and “arrogant”; learn more
