Samuel L Jackson – Put Down The Guns PSA

Samuel L Jackson is awesome, but I haven’t been able to take him seriously since Chappelle parodied him.  One of my favorite Chappelle skits of all time.

Can you stop yelling at me please?
No I can’t stop yelling because that’s the way I talk!

The PSA seems to have a anti-gun feel, but at the same time anti gun violence.  That line is often blurred when the message isn’t clearly spelled out.

What’s your take?


Comments

21 responses to “Samuel L Jackson – Put Down The Guns PSA”

  1. I’m sure I know who the target audience is for this video…

  2. John Smith Avatar

    Samuel L. is an idiot. I can’t believe anyone thinks that he can act.

    1. Enraged History Buff Avatar
      Enraged History Buff

      Hey now, I like Samuel L. Jackson!

      I think the overall message in this was against gun violence and not against guns. It’s rather jumbled up though to be honest.

    2. Watch him in “Jungle Fever” and get back to me.

      The man kicked a crack addiction to become one of highest-paid actors out there.

      Anyone who kicks such an addiction is not an idiot.

  3. Wow he’s looking old in that close up. I also think I know the target audience. I think the point of this video may be to urge kids to “put down the guns” hoping to break a cultural cycle of violence rather than eradicate guns off the face of the planet.

    1. Andy from CT Avatar
      Andy from CT

      Agreed. It’s ant-gun violence. I’d go as far as saying black on black anti-gun violence. I’m also willing to bet Sam owns a few guns himself. And this PSA doesn’t make him a hypocrite since he’s not dead or in jail.

    2. He’s rounded up blaming guns, society, Mom, Dad, the gun, etc, and then says, “It ain’t all that that made you shoot that boy, it’s you and the choices you made.”

      The cycle of violence won’t be broken until people choose to not participate. No amount of blaming other people or things will break it, only individuals.

      Individual responsibility. Isn’t that what we want?

  4. The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy My brothers. And you will know My name is the Lord when I lay My vengeance upon thee.

  5. Watch the video in the context of Michael Bane’s de-escalation mantra from The Best Defense.

    He’s not blaming guns, he’s blaming the shooter for seeing guns and society as being at fault, rather than there only inability/unwillingness to take on their own problems and “break the cycle”.

    It’s not anti-gun. It’s anything but. It’s pro-courage, pro-strength, pro-“man” (in the best sense of the word).

    He’s trying, Ringo. He’s trying REAL hard to be the shepherd.

    1. ZBalentine Avatar

      “He’s trying, Ringo. He’s trying REAL hard to be the shepherd.”

      You, sir, are winning.

  6. I agree with the others in that it’s not so much ‘anti-gun’ as it is ‘anti-gun misuse’. Nowhere in the video does he say (or even suggest) that the gun is problem or the reason. In fact he specifically goes the other way and says ‘Don’t blame the gun, blame yourself.’ Which is probably the most pro-gun thing I’ve ever heard out of a mainstream celebrity.

  7. Personal responsibility! That was his message.

  8. yeah I think it’s mostly about personal responsibility and anti-violence more than anything though I bet whoever put it together might be pro-gun control but it’s hard to say for sure. they do basically say that guns don’t kill people by themselves and that it’s the person pulling the trigger doing the act but they don’t emphasis it, but that’s not the message they’re going for. I think as far as gun control legislation is concerned it’s basically neutral and it’s aimed at the person committing the crime(it’s implied that the victim was shot for disrespecting or challenging the shooter and not because of legitimate self-defense) rather than voters. all in all I like the message and don’t see a problem with it.

  9. cassierina Avatar

    If you liked ol Samuel L in this one, check out the ‘children’s book’ Go the F*#k to Sleep. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNhnCD0EZtE

  10. Sounds more like he’s talking to the troubled inner-city black youth (hence the mention of the “cycle” ending) who has a chip on his shoulder and a gun in his pocket blaming everyone but himself for his stupid decisions. Instead of cappin’ a fool because of a perceived offense, try being a grown-up with accountability and some sense…leave the gun at home.

  11. That did not sound anti gun to me. It sounded like Jackson wants people to stop blaming everything else and blame the criminal for being stupid. I would hope that more people repeat this message. Personal responsibility = more rights

  12. I think he’s talking about this: The Boondocks – Nigga Moment
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuYd9pA8LIY

    1. LMAO

    2. ENDO-Mike Avatar

      LOL I can’t believe I never watched that show. I have some catching up to do after watching tons of youtube clubs since you posted that.

  13. well shit, i was about to engage in some gun violence, but now that i have to take personal responsibility, i guess i’ll just drink some scotch and watch cartoons…

  14. This actually doesn’t strike me as anti-gun. In fact, it doesn’t strike me as being particularly related to firearms at all. Yes, they say the word gun a few times, but it seems to be about personal responsibility. In fact, he says “blame the gun in your hand”, in the same sarcastic tone – what he really means is that you can’t blame the gun. Or the other guy. Or your mom. Or your dad. And so on. He sort of blatantly states that the gun is not to blame. Not anti-gun, relax.