Liam Neeson: US arms manufacture severs ties with Taken actor after Charlie Hebdo gun control comments

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Boo bloody hoo.

Liam Neeson: US arms manufacture severs ties with Taken actor after Charlie Hebdo gun control comments

An American arms manufacturer that supplied weapons for Taken 3 has openly criticised the films lead actor Liam Neeson for blaming terror attacks on the lack of gun control in the US and abroad.

There's just too many f**king guns out there, he told Gulf News when asked about the recent shootings in Paris at the office of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

Especially in America. I think the population is like, 320 million? There's over 300 million guns. Privately owned, in America.

PARA USA has since announced it would be cutting its ties with the franchise and Neeson, and called on other gun manufacturers to do the same.

PARA USA regrets its decision to provide firearms for use in the film Taken 3, a statement posted on the companys Facebook page read.

While the film itself is entertaining, comments made by its Irish-born star during press junkets reflect a cultural and factual ignorance that undermines support of the Second Amendment and American liberties.

We will no longer provide firearms for use in films starring Liam Neeson and ask that our friends and partners in Hollywood refrain from associating our brand and products with his projects. Further, we encourage our partners and friends in the firearms industry to do the same.

Neeson is yet to respond to PARA USAs reaction to his comments.

During his interview with Gulf News, Neeson further denied that violent action films like Taken contribute to the problem by glamorising gun use.

A character like Bryan Mills going out with guns and taking revenge: it's fantasy, Neeson said. It's in the movies, you know? I think it can give people a great release from stresses in life and all the rest of it, you know what I mean? It doesn't mean they're all going to go out and go, 'Yeah, let's get a gun!'

Growing up watching cowboy films, he pointed out, had not transformed him into a murderous fanatic.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/liam-neeson-us-arms-manufacture-severs-ties-with-taken-actor-after-charlie-hebdo-gun-control-comments-9989983.html?cmpid=facebook-post

[Ban Hammer 13,677]

nothing to see here.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Indeed not. Some fools making a pointless spectacle of themselves because they don't like the first amendment

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Some folk get their panties in a wad rather easily.

[Sousuke 1,214]

Indeed not. Some fools making a pointless spectacle of themselves because they don't like the first amendment

I don't see how its a spectacle. Its a business decision. Why support someone who wants to limit your market.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

If it's a business decision, it doesn't matter what the actor believes if the production is showcasing your products.

What it does do is focus attention on neesons comments and put the company at the centre of a very murky political debate around a very recent tragedy. I'd say that's a poor business decision and frankly a stupid one.

Edited January 20, 2015 by Hail Ming!

[GandD 5,966]

I don't see how its a spectacle. Its a business decision. Why support someone who wants to limit your market.

You should compare the number of people that will hear about this comment vs the number of people that will watch taken 3.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Very true. Even with the law of diminishing returns they're still nowhere close.

Edited January 20, 2015 by Hail Ming!

[lostinblue 1,989]

If it's a business decision, it doesn't matter what the actor believes if the production is showcasing your products.

What it does do is focus attention on neesons comments and put the company at the centre of a very murky political debate around a very recent tragedy. I'd say that's a poor business decision and frankly a stupid one.

No political debate .... Muslims going on a rampage and the guns are to blame. again

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You really don't disappoint do you LIB.

[Sousuke 1,214]

No political debate .... Muslims going on a rampage and the guns are to blame. again

I have to agree with you in that the arms were likely from Syria and smuggled through multiple nations with very strict laws. Why Neeson pivoted to the US is beyond me.

You should compare the number of people that will hear about this comment vs the number of people that will watch taken 3.

More people will hear his comment than the film IMO (within the US).

Edited January 20, 2015 by Sousuke

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I have to agree with you in that the arms were likely from Syria and smuggled through multiple nations with very strict laws. Why Neeson pivoted to the US is beyond me.

More people will hear his comment than the film IMO.

I doubt it. Comments like his are ten a penny.

As to why he said it, I imagine it will be in response to what he was asked by journalists, not something he suddenly decided to volunteer.

After all the first film was set in Paris and featured Albanian and middle eastern villains...

[GandD 5,966]

More people will hear his comment than the film IMO (within the US).

I disagree but I don't know how we could prove it one way or another.

[Operator 1,927]

Some folk get their panties in a wad rather easily.

Is that one of the hazards of wearing panties?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I disagree but I don't know how we could prove it one way or another.

Probably if the issue blows up into a big public scandal. That seems to be the yardstick.