I am super surprised to hear that country start Brantley Gilbert is joining our nation's militia. Or ... I think he is? That's what I can surmise based on the giant Second Ammendment tattoo he just got inked on his back.
Some people dedicate their lives to making great music, or curing cancer, or feeding starving children. Gilbert's great life passion? Guns! Yeah! 'Merica!
As his tattoo states, the Second Amendment reads: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." It's a much-debated piece of the U.S. Constitution. Some people believe it should be understood in its historical context -- a young nation wriggling out from under England's rule, claiming its right to have an armed militia, key words "well regulated." Others interpret it as a more blanket right for anyone to have guns, period.
I don't believe we are going to reach anything near consensus on this debate ever in my lifetime. And I find these big, chest-thumping macho declarations of love for guns such a turn-off. They contribute nothing intelligent to the discussion and they are why we are at such loggerheads over the issue.
More from The Stir: What Would the Founding Fathers Think About AK-47s?
Anyhoo, here's Gilbert's contribution to the debate.
[code]
[/code]A photo posted by Brantley Gilbert (@brantleygilbert) on
Here's what I don't get: Why does anyone feel this strongly about guns? Like, if you're a singer, how often are you even going to need to defend yourself against an armed attack? Does he need to discuss this with a therapist? Or does he just need to accept that it's not the size of the boat, it's the motion of the ocean? Someone, please tell him, because this tattoo is too dumb to be this big. Lovely work, though.
When are people going to start tattooing the other amendments? I mean, can we please hear it for the 19th? Whoop-whoop.
What do you think about Brantley Gilbert's new tattoo?
Image via Brantley Gilbert/Instagram