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I’m here to debunk the myth that all National Rifle Association (NRA) members are middle-of-the-country white men. It’s just not true.

And while that’s a sweeping generalization perpetuated by media, especially recently in the wake of mass shootings, the image of a fired-up Charlton Heston comes to mind when most think about the organization:

Nope. That’s not the NRA demographic. In fact, some of your most beloved celebrities are a part of the gun-advocacy organization. Some will surprise you, some won’t, but it’s always good to know this stuff. You know, just because they are really interesting facts about people we know too much about in the first place. It comes in handy. Believe me.

Whoopi Goldberg:

In May 2012, The Color Purple star revealed on The View that she was, in fact, a member of the NRA. But don’t go all Ghost on her and stop supporting if you’re all about banning assault weapons. Whoopi actually supports elements of gun-control, especially for the mentally ill.

 

James Earl Jones:

Wait. Don’t get all up in arms about Star Trek star James Earl Jones (see what I just did there?). Jones says he’s a member of the NRA, but not a political member. “When it comes to the right wing politics of the NRA, I don’t get into that. I just believe in my right to have a gun in my house.” See. Only when there’s “Clear and Present Danger” does he need a gun. Sick of my puns yet?

 

 

Chuck Norris:

Chuck Norris didn’t join the NRA, the NRA joined him. Norris has long been a NRA member and advocate for the Second Amendment. As an Air Force veteran, he believes in the right to own guns. But he’s as light-hearted (as you can get with guns) about his membership; he appeared in a humorous NRA-sponsored commercial for “Trigger the Vote.” 

Tom Selleck:

As an NRA board member and avid gun collector, Selleck has come under fire for his support in the organization. After the Columbine massacre, the Three Men and a Baby star and Rosie O’Donnell had a show-down on her talk show about his position. “Thirty or 40 years ago, particularly men, and even young men, when they were suicidal, they went, and unfortunately, blew their brains out,” Selleck said. “In today’s world, someone who is suicidal sits home, nurses their grievance, develops a rage, and is just as suicidal but they take 20 people with them.” 

Sarah Palin:

That’s not the real Palin. But it does show her real-life affinity for guns. And I had to do it.

But this is the real Sarah Palin…ready to hunt her moose. A life-member of the NRA, Palin addressed the organization and told them that President Barack Obama wanted to take away guns for good. “Don’t doubt for a minute that, if they thought they could get away with it, they would ban guns and ban ammunition and gut the Second Amendment,” Palin told the crowd. The following year, the NRA credited the “Palin effect” for a 20 percent rise in its female membership. Whoa.

Karl Malone:

He calls himself the “Black Redneck.”  Need I say more?

 

Miranda Lambert:

Who knew pretty could be so badass? “I got my first handgun license when I was 22. I was a single girl who lived by myself on a farm, and I think it’s absolutely necessary,” Lambert said. But not to worry, I think. The “Gunpowder and Lead” country singer said that her cop dad taught her how to safely handle a gun. I like her much better wielding a guitar.

SOURCE: The Daily Beast