Live Chat: Ted Nugent
Aug. 3, 2000 -- "Only a coward would want fewer good guys with guns on the streets in today's world," says legendary rocker Ted Nugent. "Only a fool would support much less design such a policy of helplessness in today's world."
Nugent contends that promoting gun ownership could help win the war on crime and expresses his outrage at politicians who want to step up gun control legislation in a new book, God, Guns, & Rock 'n Roll.
Do you agree? Read the transcript of our live chat with Nugent, who took questions from ABCNEWS.com readers from the Republican National Convention.
Moderator:
Charlton Heston, president of the National Rifle Association, calls Ted Nugent "one of the good guys." Rep. Bob Barr is also an admirer: "I appreciate all Ted does in support of the Second Amendment."
If it seems strange that prominent conservatives like Heston and Barr are embracing a rock musician known as "the Motor City Madman," consider Nugent's other passion: protecting Americans' personal freedoms.Ted Nugent joins ABCNEWS.com today in an online chat. Welcome, Ted.
Ted Nugent:
Thank you!
Moderator:
Why do you believe that gun ownershipcould help win the war on crime?
Ted Nugent:
Well, even those that claim to be against gun ownership, likePresident Bill Clinton, have made a big deal out of wishing for more law enforcementpersonnel on the streets of America — when in fact, in those jurisdictions where law abiding citizens have a higher rate of concealed weapons permits, they have for all practical purposes performed the very duties in stopping and deterring crime that armed law enforcement personnel have.
Moderator:
Why are you attending this year'sconvention?
Ted Nugent:
I have a lot of friends in the Republican Party. I have workedvery closely with Rep. Bob Barr, Governor Engler, Governor Thompson and Governor Bramstead, and J.C. Watts is my hero. I care deeply about a quality-of-American-life upgrade that I am convinced can be had through the ideals of theRepublican Party.
Moderator:
Have you had a chance to listen to any ofthe featured speakers? Who has impressed you the most?
Ted Nugent:
I'm impressed greatly by everybody I've heard so far. Certainly Laura Bush represented the heart and soul of workinghard, playing hard America. Colin Powell made some common-sense, self-evident-truth points, and I believe the very pulse of the Republican Party represents the people in the asset column of America.
Charlie says: You say only a coward would want fewer goodguys with guns on the street, but how do you tell the good guys from the badguys? Should we assume macho NRA members are the good guys, andtree-hugging, sissy liberals are the bad guys?
Ted Nugent:
Well I've heard this question many times, and I admit I'm just aguitar player. But when a monster stands up on a commuter train shootingpassengers, even a guitar guy knows that's the bad guy. When someone threatens to puncture your guts with a screwdriver, it's apparent that that's the bad guy.
Rob says: While I'm in agreement that if everybody hasarms it will make make criminals much less likely to act, I have a realquestion that may sound like a joke but isn't: What if the bastards shootbetter than the citizens?
Ted Nugent:
All indicators and all statistics prove otherwise. First of all, I've never in my life heard anyone recommendthat everyone should be armed. I've never heard that recommended in my life. So I prefer we stick to realism instead of supposition.
Mike says: If the Rock 'n' Roll police and the Feds were toshow up at your door simultaneously, would it be your guitar or your riflethey would have to pry from out of your cold dead hands?
Ted Nugent:
They wouldn't be prying squat! They would be cleaning up dead a-holes!
Tim says: What is your opinion of media coverage of gunsand gun control?
Ted Nugent:
I will not bother with an opinion, I will merely observe theirrefutable evidence that they are overtly biased. This is from university studies, from respected study groups, even from the media themselves. No one in the media knows anyone who'spro-life.
Jeff says: Saw you in Fresno yesterday, from the frontrow. It was a great show. Is this your first GOP convention? It is thefirst one that I have missed since 1980.
Ted Nugent:
Thank you! No, I did the '92 convention as the rep. for MTV. Theyhired me to scare white people.
millwright says: Why do you think there are never storiesof citizens defending themselves with firearms in the news?
Ted Nugent:
My last answer about the biased media covers that again. Jesse Ventura discovered real quickly that the mediadoes not report the news, they manipulate it and oftentimes make it up.
Rokie says: Why do you think it is these days thatAmericans are "willing" to give away their rights? Do they not see there isno end to what we can lose?
Ted Nugent:
America is nearly complete in celebrating apathy as a way of life. I'm scared to death that it's "We the Sheeple" and not "We thePeople." Look at your recent paycheck and tell me who authorized those deductions.
Moderator:
Can you describe the new face of the GOP?
Ted Nugent:
I don't think it has a new face, I think it's always been working hard, playing hard America — people who set their alarm clocks early and work late. I'm the only one with an erect ponytail.
Moderator:
What was the inspiration behind yourbook, God, Guns, & Rock 'n' Roll?
Ted Nugent:
The inspiration behind my book was to force visibility toself-evident truths that have been denied by the vast majority of mainstream media.
steve says: What's your preference for personal protectionpistols? The Glock 10mm?
Ted Nugent:
A Glock Model 20 10mm and lots of bullets! And the mindset of a warrior who gives a damn.
lenchmob says: Ted what's your take on Rosie O'Donnell andthe Selleck incident?
Ted Nugent:
Am I allowed to puke online? Well, certainly Rosie O'Donnell is the beast of hypocrisy. Tom Selleck is a pillar of decency, professionalism and courtesy.
nuge says: Nuge, saw you on Howard Stern last night and youwere great. How do you think we can get people more involved in electingtheir government officials?
Ted Nugent:
Unfortunately, if we don't start getting involved now, it will be too late before you know it, because the Clintonistas want all your paycheck. And if I may, I would recommend people call Ted Nugent United Sportsmen ofAmerica or visit tnugent.com, because our organization has nearly perfected activism.
Moderator:
Do you believe the Republican Party is trying to be inclusive? Do you believe it should?
Ted Nugent:
Absolutely, absolutely! They have accepted Ted Nugent — what more do you want? I'm a huge, crazed black man from Detroit — they love me!
Chris says: Ted, saw a great velvet buck in Southbury, CTlast night. Your work makes me proud to be an American. Keep up the GREATwork!
Ted Nugent:
God Bless You!
beamer says: What about the double standard that liberalshold, that we're safer with nukes on standby globally, but we're not safewith American citizens owning guns to offset the criminals who'll alwayshave them? What kind of logic is this?
Ted Nugent:
Well, the very mindset of liberals is embarrassingly distrusting of their fellow man, unless you are a member of their clique. I would recommend they eat me.
rog says: I own a Glock 17 but want something similar butsmaller for my wife. What do you recommend?
Ted Nugent:
A .38 special revolver is best for a small-framed woman.
EMN says: Ted, Keep up the great work spreading theconservative message. Do you think the GOP stands a good chance of gettingall three of the major political bodies this November?
Ted Nugent:
Yes. As long as we all spread the good word and increase our activism.
Gonzo says: Heard you went bear hunting in Siberia with aformer boss of mine, Ben Nelson. How was the trip?
Ted Nugent:
The good Governor Ben Nelson is my blood brother, and I hope toshare a campfire with him someday.
chip says: I'm sure you've answered this, but what do youmake of the "well-regulated militia" bit?
Ted Nugent:
What do I make of it? We must get over the scramble toreinterpret simple vernacular. The well-regulated militia during the time our Founding Fatherswrote these important documents was clearly identified in the Militia Act of 1792. Read it,know it, live it, love it.
NRA4LIFE says: When will you be coming to Springfield, Oregon again?
Ted Nugent:
We were just in the great Northwest last week.
Tennesse says: Ted, just want you to know that me andmany of my fellow Tennesseans are in 100% agreement with you. There is thislittle thing called the Second Amendment. The bucks are mine!
Ted Nugent:
Amen. Kill a big one for me!
Lark says: Don't you think there will be more crime ifeverybody had a gun? Kinda like the wild wild West. Guns make peopleconfident, confidence makes people act.
Ted Nugent:
Balderdash! All statistics prove TOTALLY opposite.
steve says: Ted, how likely is it that we'll get nationalconcealed-carry legislation through?
Ted Nugent:
HR218 would reduce crime dramatically. We should work with lawenforcement to pass this.
nuge says: Ted, do you like the idea of mandatory locks on guns?
Ted Nugent:
Absolutely NOT.
Jesusluvpeace566 says: Ted, you asked God to bless one ofthe responders. Are you a Christian, and do you really believe God would wantso many guns and a propensity for violence?
Ted Nugent:
Of course I'm a Christian, and I believe God wants good guys tosurvive an encounter with evil.
nuge says: Ted, what do you think of the GOP not wanting to address campaign finance reform? Don't you think it's a troubling problem and a reason many common people feel it doesn't matter if they vote?
Don't you think special-interest groups have bought Washington? Look at who is financing the GOP convention.
Ted Nugent:
Campaign finance reform would muzzle We The People. We The Peopleshould be allowed to make statements with our money.
Kissarmy says: Hey, Ted. Saw you at Kiss in Concord theother night. Would you shoot your guitar with an AK47 instead of a crossbowif you could get away with it on stage?
Ted Nugent:
Seeing as how I have never used a crossbow on stage, come to another concert with less poison in your system so you know what the hell is going on.
weelass says: Ted, the inclusion message of the GOP isrighteous, but didn't they shoot themselves in the foot when Rep. Jim Kolbeaddressed the convention and many delegates from Texas turned their backson him, bowed their heads in prayer, or got up and left, simply because theman is gay? What kind of inclusion message is that?
Ted Nugent:
I was not aware of that occurrence, but it is pathetic that that display took place. Homosexuality is inconsequential, 'till they start shoving it downour throats.
mitch says: Hi Ted. What is your opinion of George W.?
Ted Nugent:
I was very proud to assist, with our Ted Nugent United Sportsmen ofAmerica Texas members, to send Ann Richards on her terminal nacho date with Cuomo and help elect a real American as governor of the great state ofTexas. George W. is my American Blood Brother.
Soundman says: What statistics? Where can I find them,aside from the NRA?
Ted Nugent:
For the last 15 years at least, I have studied the FBI Uniform Crime Reports, the BATF Gun Trace studies, crime reports from the Department of Justice, statistics from the Center for Disease Control, as well as reports from Scotland Yard and many regional law enforcement agencies, as well as the 18-year study by Professor John Lott from the U of Chicago. The statistics are IRREFUTABLE: More guns equal less crime.
Thank you all over in Cyber-Gonzoland, we love you madly!
The rest of my band is relaxing and ordering room service. I'm here because I give a damn. I'm just an old limping guitar player, but I am an activist, my elected officials know who I am and everything my family stands for, and quite honestly, any American who does not have a consistent rapport IN THE FACE of their elected officials is in the liability column of this great nation.
If you care, by God, DO something! Yowza Yowza!
Moderator:
Ted, thank you for joining us. For the latest political news, and to continue this conversation on our message boards, visit http://abcnews.go.com. Thanks for participating in this chat. Good night.