Jon Bernthal has two words for alt-right fans of his character The Punisher — and they’re not, “Thanks, guys.”
Bernthal, who plays the gun-brandishing character on Netflix’s “The Punisher,” weighed in on the subject in a lengthy Esquire profile, delivering a blunt assessment of alt-righters embracing the character.
Asked how he felt about the fanged-skull Punisher symbol being worn on military helmets and on the shoulders of alt-right protesters at last year’s rally in Charlottesville, Bernthal first heaped praise on the military members.
“I feel honored to play a guy who people putting their life on the line identify with,” the actor offered.
As for the alt-right crowd, Bernthal said, “F— them.”
On the topic of gun control, Bernthal, who identified himself as a gun owner, said that “a dialogue” about preventing mentally unstable people from acquiring firearms is required.
“I have a gun in my house to keep my family safe. I’m trained in that gun’s use. I know how to keep it away from my kids, and I know how to use it if I need to,” Bernthal said.”Should there be a way that a guy with mental issues like the asshole in Texas can’t get guns? Absolutely. We have to have a dialogue, and that’s not happening.”