Milano spoke at the NoRA protest in Dallas on Saturday, a demonstration organized to coincide with the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) annual convention.
Footage shared by writer Ben Howe shows NRA member Will Haraway ask security guards beside Milano whether they’re armed. In the clip, the guard ignores the question and repeatedly asks him to leave, escorting him away from Milano. “Alyssa you’re a hypocrite,” Haraway shouts. “You have armed security here!”
This is Will Haraway a CCW @nra member. He asked @Alyssa_Milano’s security if he was armed (he was) and then asked Alyssa about it. Here’s what happened. (She comes to talk to him after this and I will post that longer video shortly). pic.twitter.com/qMsq6rbzDd
— Ben Howe (@BenHowe) May 5, 2018
The video prompted outrage and cries of hypocrisy from NRA supporters across social media. NRA spokesperson Dana Loesch shared the footage, criticizing Milano for having “armed security chase Texans out of a public park simply because they asked if she uses armed defense (that she wants to deny others).”
Anti-gun Californian @Alyssa_Milano has armed security chase Texans out of a public park simply because they asked if she uses armed defense (that she wants to deny others). Wow. https://t.co/w9Mq3zJXVr
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) May 5, 2018
“For the record, my personal bodyguard was not armed,” Milano later tweeted of the confrontation.
For the record, my personal bodyguard was not armed.
I had no control over what the Dallas PD and event coordinators planned to protect me.
I guess much like the gun lobby had no control over the secret service banning guns at the gun convention.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) May 5, 2018
This was event security, not my bodyguard. But regardless, this security guy has had training and passed a background check. These are the common sense gun reform policies we are fighting for for everyone.
Can’t wait to see the unedited longer video. https://t.co/tHREzjnsZH
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) May 7, 2018
Haraway and his supporters accused the activist actress of lying, sharing close-up screenshots of what they said was an apparent weapon concealed beneath the guard’s jacket.
I saw it. No question. They lie because they are liars. He was carrying. https://t.co/P6nTajFssE
— Will Haraway (@HarawayWill) May 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/swizzlenugget/status/993114125256609793
“This was event security, not my bodyguard,” Milano responded. “But regardless, this security guy has had training and passed a background check. These are the common sense gun reform policies we are fighting for for everyone.”
Milano later spoke to Haraway at the event, but the full video of the conversation is yet to be shared. An NRA TV host shared two short clips of the encounter.
So @Alyssa_Milano wants to see the unedited video of her and her armed guards “printing”. I have no idea who she is talking to at first, @rangerholton respectfully chimes in. Watch. Also Alyssa please answer why you lied about having no armed guards. #NRAAM2018 #nra @NRATV pic.twitter.com/BuHsvDB9BG
— Grant Stinchfield (@stinchfield1776) May 6, 2018
The NoRA group says it’s not anti-gun or anti-Second Amendment, but wants responsible gun ownership, increased checks and balances for gun purchasers, and for the NRA’s potential influence on lawmakers through campaign funding reduced.
The ethics of Milano’s guard being armed or not was further argued online by both sides of the gun ownership debate.
How would infringing on the 2nd Amendment rights of hundreds of millions of law abiding Americans prevent the next Sandy Hook or Stoneman Douglas? As long as gun grabbers hide behind armed security, they are covered in a hypocrisy that can not be overlooked.
— Mark Amey (@TheAme19) May 5, 2018
Hey @Alyssa_Milano armed guards at an anti-gun rally huh? I thought the world was all sunshine and rainbows. What are you afraid of? It's ok for you as as a celebrity to be protected but not us common folk? #hypocrite #phony @DLoesch @ChrisLoesch @NRA
— Caesar Corinthos (@TheRealCaesarC) May 6, 2018
The truth is that all Hollywood elites are hypocrites because they all have armed guards, and they live in million dollar homes behind gates with armed security. They do not live in the gun-free zones they preach America needs to be safe.
Video: NRATV
Source: RT
Photos: Google