Rosie, get your gun
May 26, 2000:Â Comedienne Rosie O'Donnell gave gun-rights advocates ammo with which to criticize her staunch opposition to the National Rifle Association when it was revealed her personal bodyguard had applied for a concealed gun permit, possibly to allow him to carry a weapon when accompanying one of her children to public school.
O'Donnell said that because of threats – which she attributed ironically to her tough gun-control rhetoric – she and her family needed protection.
While it was denied that the bodyguard would carry a gun to school – a prospect that upset many parents – a superintendent confirmed that the school's principal had been approached about whether an armed guard for O'Donnell's son would be welcome at the school when he entered kindergarten the following September.
"I don't personally own a gun," said O'Donnell, who had earlier berated actor Tom Selleck on her TV show over his appearances in NRA-sponsored commercials and promotions. "But if you are qualified, licensed and registered, I have no problem."
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