Jamie Lee Curtis claps back at Fox News in ‘Halloween’ gun controversy

Earlier Wednesday, the actress found herself in Fox News’ crosshairs when an article suggested her advocacy for gun reform is hypocritical, given the firearms she wields in the upcoming “Halloween” film.

Pointing to several of the actress’ tweets calling for action after mass shootings in Orlando and Texas, the report called Curtis “one of several Hollywood actors who use firearms in their films while preaching against them away from the set.”

That’s a bunch of nonsense, says Curtis. “It was just silly, because they were trying to make a point without ever asking me what I really think,” the 59-year-old actress told USA TODAY during an interview Wednesday afternoon. “And what I think might surprise them.”

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Curtis, who returns to the screen in “Halloween” on Oct. 19, says her views on gun reform have been clear. “I am vocal about common-sense gun safety and gun laws,” she says. “For instance, I fully support an assault weapon ban, I fully support a bump stock ban.”

That doesn’t make her anti-gun, she clarifies. “I fully support the Bill of Rights. And fully support the Second Amendment. And have absolutely no problem with people owning firearms if they have been trained, licensed, a background check has been conducted, a pause button has been pushed to give time for that process to take place. And they have to renew their license just like we do with automobiles – which are weapons also.”

Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) gets all her weaponry in order as she waits for the return of masked psycho Michael Myers in “Halloween.” (Photo: RYAN GREEN)

In the upcoming “Halloween,” Curtis returns as Laurie Strode, now a grandmother whose entire life has been plagued by the trauma she experienced at the hands of the masked, murderous Michael Myers at age 17. Before shooting the latest installment, it was Curtis who steered production away from Strode stockpiling automated weapons, like machine guns.

“They knew that Laurie was going to be someone who used firearms,” says Curtis. “And I think there were myriad types of firearms that could have been used in the movie. I was very clear with the filmmakers that she used the weapons (that) were intended for self-defense for her and her family.” 

Curtis adds that when Strode arms her daughter and granddaughter as Myers closes in, she removes the guns from behind a padlocked cabinet, “and then very specifically says what each weapon does and why you would choose that weapon in self-defense.”

As for those who call actors hypocritical for wielding guns on screen while advocating for gun safety?

“I’m an actress who’s in slasher movies,” Curtis says. “I have to be responsible for my own personal choices in my own personal life. But I am an actor for hire. And honestly, if I had made my career as a pacifist actor, I would never have worked, ever.”

Curtis adds, “But I have always been proud to represent women who fight back and fight back with intelligence, cunning and creativity, and who fight for their lives and their families’ lives.”