Samuel L. Jackson on Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting: 'Don't Blame Gun Control or Violence in Movies/Games,' Jamie Foxx Disagrees

Many activists, including popular celebrities, have spoken out in the wake of the devastating school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut which ultimately claimed the lives of 20 innocent children and six heroic faculty members. Several individuals believe that America needs to enforce stricter gun control laws to help ensure that such a tragic and violent event doesn't take place again. Actor Samuel L. Jackson is not one of those activists. According to the "Pulp Fiction" star, gunman Adam Lanza's irrational actions shouldn't be blamed on gun control or violence portrayed in hit movies and videogames. But fellow actor Jamie Foxx apparently disagrees.

During a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Jackson explains - "I don't think it's about more gun control. I grew up in the South with guns everywhere and we never shot anyone. This [shooting] is about people who aren't taught the value of life." The 63-year-old actor actually stars in one of the more violent, gun-friendly films set to be released later this holiday season, "Django Unchained." Quentin Tarantino's highly-anticipated movie stars Jamie Foxx as a slave-turned-bounty hunter who goes on a violent and bloody rampage in order to rescue his wife from a brutal slave-owner played by Leonardo DiCaprio. "Django Unchained" hits theaters Christmas Day, Dec. 25.

And according to Jackson, violence in popular movies, games, and television shouldn't be to blame for the heartbreaking school massacre, either. (Adam Lanza first shot his mother Nancy Lanza to death at their suburban home before shooting his way into the Sandy Hook School, claiming the lives of several innocent victims).

Jackson - who has starred in a number of violent flicks including "Pulp Fiction," "Goodfellas," and "Kill Bill Vol. 2" - insists that the positive love and support of parents and role models can accomplish much more than any gun legislation ever could. Those individuals who instill the value of life and love in youth will ultimately help to reduce the number of firearms in the country, Jackson told the L.A. Times.

And Jackson's coworker, the popular grindhouse film director/screenwriter/actor Quentin Tarantino, apparently agrees:

"I just think you know there's violence in the world, tragedies happen, blame the playmakers," Tarantino said at a recent film press conference in NYC. "It's a Western. Give me a break." Tarantino admits that he's tired of having to defend his creative license every time the nation is struck by tragic gun violence. He insists that those who commit the crimes should be entirely to blame, not films or other violent entertainment.

Meanwhile, Jackson's costar Jamie Foxx begs to differ, recently telling the AP - "We cannot turn our back and say that violence in films or anything that we do doesn't have a sort of influence. It does."

The L.A. premiere of "Django Unchained" was recently cancelled by the Weinstein Company film studio on Monday (Dec. 17) in respect to those affected by the Connecticut school shooting. The studio released a statement that said, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the tragedy in Newtown, CT and in this time of national mourning we have decided to forgo our scheduled event. However, we will be holding a private screening for the cast and crew and their friends and families."

What do Mstarz readers have to say about the gun control debate in light of the tragic and devastating school shootings in Newtown, CT?

Rest In Peace:

Mary Sherlach, 56; Nancy Lanza, 52; Anne Marie Murphy, 52; Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung, 47 (principal); Lauren Rousseau, 30; Rachel Davino, 29; Victoria Soto, 27; Daniel Barden, 7; Josephine Gay, 7; Chase Kowalski, 7; Grace McDonnell, 7; Charlotte Bacon, 6; Emilie Parker, 6; Olivia Engel, 6; Ana Marquez-Greene, 6; Dylan Hockley, 6; Madeleine Hsu, 6; Catherine Hubbard, 6; Jesse Lewis, 6; James Mattioli, 6; Jack Pinto, 6; Noah Pozner, 6; Caroline Previdi, 6; Jessica Rekos, 6; Avielle Richman, 6; Benjamin Wheeler, 6; Allison Wyatt, 6.

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