Samuel L Jackson has waded into the debate over America's gun control laws by insisting violent movies should not be blamed for atrocities such as the Connecticut school massacre.
A slew of stars, including Cher and Cyndi Lauper, spoke out in the aftermath of the devastating shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown on Friday to urge U.S. politicians to tighten the country's firearms laws to prevent another gun rampage.
Samuel L Jackson: "I don't think movies or video games have anything to do with it"
The shooter, named as Adam Lanza, 20, allegedly turned his weapon on himself after killing 20 young children and seven teachers, including his own mother.
Jackson has become the latest star to speak out about the massacre, and he is adamant outraged Americans should not look to blame violent Hollywood films and video games for such incidents.
He tells the Los Angeles Times, "I don't think movies or video games have anything to do with it... 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... We need to stop deranged people from getting access to guns."
Meanwhile, '24' star Dennis Haysbert has also addressed the subject of violence in movies, insisting films simply reflect what is going on in the world.
Haysbert, whose new release LUV features a young boy who is taught how to shoot, believes action needs to start with the politicians in Washington, D.C. and their dealings with officials from America's National Rifle Association (NRA) before another tragedy occurs.
He tells WENN, "What we have to do is we have to really seriously deal with the gun culture we're saddled with. It's the culture in which we live. It starts with the Congressmen. We need to enact some strong legislation and stop taking the money from the NRA and lining their pockets with it.
"This has always happened. How many tragedies do we have to endure? Whether it's the theatre in Colorado or Columbine also in Colorado, and Newtown, Connecticut has some of the most stringent gun laws in America. But yet we still have a tragedy like this. I mean, come on, kids five to 10 years old! Really?! If this doesn't shake up Washington and shake up state legislation across the country, I don't know what will."