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11 Hollywood Stars in the NRA: From Chuck Norris to James Earl Jones (Photos)

11 Hollywood Stars in the NRA: From Chuck Norris to James Earl Jones (Photos)

The National Rifle Association has always stood up to criticism, but that’s especially been the case after mass shootings in places ranging from Newtown to Orlando. Still, there are some celebrities who have stood by the NRA and its ideals, while others have revealed their membership while distancing themselves from the NRA’s more polarizing political stances.

Arguably the most famous Hollywood star associated with NRA was Charlton Heston, who served as NRA President from 1998 to 2003 before stepping down after being diagnosed with Alzheimers.

Rock musician Ted Nugent has long been known as one of the NRA’s most outspoken and controversial celebrity members. In January 2015, Nugent ranted against the NRA’s opponents on the organization’s radio show, calling them “subhuman mongrels” and “some kind of inbred Martian”

NBA Hall of Famer Karl Malone is an avid hunter and has served on the NRA Board. But despite being a proud member, he angered some gun owners when he spoke to Sports Illustrated about those who buy guns for their protection: “The big picture is that guns won’t protect you. If someone really wanted to get you, they would.”

Actor Tom Selleck got into a heated debate with Rosie O’Donnell in 1999 when she questioned him about being a member of the NRA. In 2013, shortly after the Newtown shootings, MSNBC pundit Lawrence O’Donnell said that it was time to “question Selleck’s humanity” after the actor’s silence on the matter.

In 2014, an online petition circulated demanding Glastonbury music festival remove Metallica from the schedule because its frontman, James Hetfield is a hunter and NRA member. In 2009, Hetfield told Guitar World he gave up hunting, and in 2013, he said he had a more moderate stance on gun control. “I don’t want to make it easier for someone to have an assault weapon, but I also want to be able to protect my family.”