Adding her voice to a list of pro-gun Hollywood celebrities, “Nip/Tuck” television series star Kelly Carlson says owning a gun is "life changing" for her.
In an interview with
Fox News, Carlson, 39, revealed she began self-defense training in Kali – a form of martial arts from the Philippines – when she was 19. Despite that training, Carlson said, she knew she needed more after a life-threatening scenario with a stalker in 2012, especially when authorities didn't take her seriously when she told them of the situation.
So, Carlson said, she bought a gun and hired a counter-surveillance teacher to train her. He would later become her husband.
“Owning a firearm ... was life changing for me because women for sure, but even men too can be in a very, very vulnerable position with no options if you have intruders or any scenario where you're being dominated physically. [A firearm] is the only equalizer you have,” said Carlon.
Although Carlson said she understands why people fear firearms, she believes that “it's crucial for people to look at it from a logical standpoint and take the emotions out of it because one needs to have that option to save them.”
Carlson’s platform for gun-owning rights is unique, however, because of the personal tragedy her family suffered in 1995 when her uncle was shot in the back of a head with a revolver,
according to The Blaze. After her uncle’s death, Carlson said, her family came out of the ordeal in unified support of gun ownership, saying, “No one ever had a thought of proposing stricter gun laws in Minnesota because of it.”
“I have the responsibility to educate people about firearms and also share my story,” said Carlson. “I'm not telling people to just go get [a firearm], they’re not for everybody. While my message is supportive, I also very much emphasize on training and safety because it is a dangerous weapon. It’s a lifestyle and it can save your life.”
Carlson aalso appeared on an episode of
Outdoor Channel’s “NRA: All Access” that aired on Wednesday to tell her story.