Brent Spiner, perhaps best known for portraying Lt. Commander Data on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” is understandably upset about gun violence. Unfortunately, his solution to the problem is to do away with private gun ownership.
RT @JohnAWilcox: @BrentSpiner I look forward to the day that there are no shootings to report. Agreed?–or…wait for it…no guns.
— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) November 7, 2013
RT @HurricaneLiv: @BrentSpiner Unfortunately it will never happen.–They said man would never go to the moon. That seems more difficult.
— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) November 7, 2013
RT @DevonMScott: I'll second you on no more shootings. As for no more guns… –if you're not going to shoot them, why do you need them?
— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) November 7, 2013
RT @TheOtherRosie: Just legally owned rifles. Do you see any sense whatsoever in that?– for hunting food? Sure. Or we feed people.
— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) November 7, 2013
@BrentSpiner @TheOtherRosie The 2nd Amendment to the Constitution, a Well Armed Militia who defends against foreign and domestic.
— Frankie Satterfield (@Rdsknsfan3) November 7, 2013
@Rdsknsfan3: The 2nd Amendment to the Constitution, a Well Armed Militia who defends against foreign and domestic.–the British Are Coming!!
— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) November 7, 2013
RT@Rdsknsfan3:No, not the British…. the Socialists who want to destroy the Constitution and this Country.–You gonna shoot them?
— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) November 7, 2013
Sigh.
@BrentSpiner So now all gun owners are dangerous lunatics? I can't do this anymore, so small-minded.
— Tony Hrvatska ?? (@tonybalogna) November 7, 2013
RT @tonybalogna: So now all gun owners are dangerous lunatics? I can't do this anymore, so small-minded.–Not lunatics. Just dangerous.
— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) November 7, 2013
Attention, gun owners: You’re all “dangerous.” Gee, insulting much?
RT @tonybalogna:So it's ok to pretend-own a gun as long as you make lots of money doing so.–It's fine to disagree. And to be nasty.
— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) November 7, 2013
It’s indeed OK to disagree. What is not OK is demonizing an entire group of Americans — a large group, at that — as violent or dangerous for exercising a constitutional right.
RT @tonybalogna: He just thinks all gun owners dangerous by default.–I believe anyone with a gun in their hand is dangerous. My opinion.
— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) November 7, 2013
RT @tonybalogna: I haven't tried to smear others with contrasting opinions as dangerous, as he has.–Smear? I just think guns are dangerous.
— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) November 7, 2013
RT @tonybalogna: Quite true, I've played characters who don't share my opinions. That's why they call it acting.
— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) November 7, 2013
Fellow actor Adam Baldwin attempted to reason with Spiner:
https://twitter.com/AdamBaldwin/status/398324097454600192
https://twitter.com/AdamBaldwin/status/398326507027701760
Bingo. Responsible gun owners are a danger only to those who seek to do harm.
RT @AdamBaldwin: Hi @BrentSpiner: In the wrong hands, guns are dangerous. In the right hands, guns are safe. –Hey,Adam. Who decides?
— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) November 7, 2013
https://twitter.com/AdamBaldwin/status/398329328577953793
RT @AdamBaldwin:@BrentSpiner: Did you watch "Why I Chose the Gun," by Peter van Uhm?- http://t.co/36qALCRskr”-Tomorrow. I have to sleep now.
— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) November 7, 2013
Ever the gentleman, Baldwin invited Spiner for a day at the range:
https://twitter.com/AdamBaldwin/status/398330906424778752
(Note to Mr. Baldwin: We at Twitchy would be glad to join you.)
Unfortunately, Spiner doesn’t seem likely to take Baldwin up on the offer anytime soon.
@BrentSpiner if you know how they work and how to use them, they become less dangerous and more like any other tool. Like a drill
— JetPixi (@JetPixi) November 7, 2013
RT @JetPixi: if you know how wrk & how to use they become less dangerous and more like any other tool. –Sorry, for what is this tool used?
— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) November 7, 2013
@BrentSpiner @JetPixi How about Self Defense, or Sport Shooting, or Hunting or maybe because it's our RIGHT to own them.
— Frankie Satterfield (@Rdsknsfan3) November 7, 2013
RT @Rdsknsfan3:Self Defense, or Sport Shooting, or Hunting or maybe because it's our RIGHT to own them.–how does that make it a tool?
— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) November 7, 2013
Baldwin had the answer:
https://twitter.com/AdamBaldwin/status/398509065845735424
Nailed it.
RT @Michael__Reed: @AdamBaldwin @BrentSpiner if memory serves the phasers on your show represented weapons also. –Starfleet is Military.
— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) November 7, 2013
https://twitter.com/AdamBaldwin/status/398537403620540416
https://twitter.com/AdamBaldwin/status/398542138306093058
https://twitter.com/AdamBaldwin/status/398542831796510720
Other tweeters joined Baldwin in shooting holes in Spiner’s arguments:
Sir, any artificial device doing work otherwise done by hand is by definition a "tool". Any tool can be abused. @BrentSpiner @Rdsknsfan3
— Fred the Great (@fredontwittur) November 7, 2013
@BrentSpiner A gun is a tool. It does not cause violence. Focus on the cause of violence rather then the tools.
— Chaos pilot (@SisterAsphalt) November 7, 2013
@BrentSpiner Same way a motor vehicle is a tool for police, fire, and paramedics, but a deadly weapon for a drunk driver #dontblamethetool
— Rob Bub (@Rjbub77) November 7, 2013
And they made the case for gun rights:
@BrentSpiner Of COURSE guns are dangerous. That's why they're effective tools for self-defense. Know where to point the dangerous part.
— ⚡️Erick Brockway⚡️ (@erickbrockway) November 7, 2013
Exactly.
@BrentSpiner I live in what could be called the hood. A home invader will likely be armed. So will I.
— JetPixi (@JetPixi) November 7, 2013
https://twitter.com/PaulaAnnora/status/398511613126270976
@BrentSpiner Self-defense. If someone breaks into my home with intent to kill/rob, I intend to defend myself and my wife.
— thegnc forever (@jcbenge) November 7, 2013
And the right to do so is protected by the Constitution.
@BrentSpiner @TheRealSleestak Well thats your choice. My choice is to own a gun. But it has to be used responsible.
— Chad Burgin (@Kombi187) November 7, 2013
Responsibility is key. And legal gun owners understand that.
@BrentSpiner Guns are not dangerous. I grew up in Wyoming w/guns, but never shot anyone-never saw anyone shot, It's a people problem.
— newsshooterjim (@newsshooterjim) November 7, 2013
@BrentSpiner I'm a gun owner. I carry every day. Guns are dangerous,and should be respected. Not banned or overregulated. Respect.
— Travis Dykes (@ConeyIslandHXC) November 7, 2013
Gun control laws only wind up hurting the people they’re ostensibly meant to protect.
.@BrentSpiner @AdamBaldwin I understand your gut reaction to this issue, sir, but legislating from emotion won't achieve your desired ends.
— Jack (@SkipTerrio) November 7, 2013
Correct. Time and time again, gun control has been proven ineffective as a solution to violence:
@BrentSpiner Sadly plenty of people are shot in "gun free" Chicago every week, but folks seldom make note of it.
— KJ (@thekelliejane) November 7, 2013
“Gun-free zones” only give criminals a green light.
https://twitter.com/ZombieWarhol/status/398545032619114496
But if Spiner changes his mind and decides he’s ready for a reality check:
https://twitter.com/AdamBaldwin/status/398550671407865856
* * *
Update:
People really got angry when I said I don't want guns. Hope they're better at controlling that anger when they have a gun in their hand.
— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) November 8, 2013
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