Some folks in Hollywood aren’t afraid to speak up when it comes to their political views. One of those is Vince Vaughn, who is best known for his roles in movies like The Internship and Wedding Crashers.
In addition to being a well known actor, Vaughn is also an outspoken libertarian activist. He supported presidential candidate Ron Paul in his 2008 and 2012 campaigns and he has spoken out on many issues in the past. Most recently, Vaughn sat down for an interview with GQ magazine, during which he spoke about gun control and Edward Snowden, among other issues.
“I support people having a gun in public full stop, not just in your home,” said Vaughn, when asked about his thoughts on the issue. “We don’t have the right to bear arms because of burglars; we have the right to bear arms to resist the supreme power of a corrupt and abusive government. It’s not about duck hunting; it’s about the ability of the individual.” Vaughn also explained that the sound of a gun hammer is often one of the best deterrents for intruders.
Vaughn also spoke on the controversial issue of guns in schools. Following mass shootings like the one at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, there has been a raging debate in the United States over guns in schools. While some people claim that we should make it more difficult to obtain guns in the first place, others believe that guns should be allowed in schools as a deterrent for possible mass shootings. Vaughn agrees with the later.
“You think the politicians that run my country and your country don’t have guns in the schools their kids go to?” he asked. “They do. And we should be allowed the same rights. Banning guns is like banning forks in an attempt to stop making people fat. Taking away guns, taking away drugs, the booze, it won’t rid the world of criminality.”
In addition to speaking about guns, Vaughn also mentioned his thoughts on Edward Snowden. “Edward Snowden is a hero,” he said. “I like what he did. My idea of treason is that you sell secrets to the enemy. He gave information to the American people.” He also said he believes that many of the laws written to protect the American people don’t actually work and instead jeopardize freedom.
Vaughn is set to star in the upcoming second season of the HBO series True Detective.
