NY Hardcore Musician, Community Advocate Justin Brannan Speaks Out for Gun Control (INTERVIEW)

Posted on Feb 26th 2013 3:00PM by Allyson B. Crawford Comments

Justin Brannan

"I think that in a free society it's impossible to prevent all bad things from happening, but we can certainly try. I think we have to do everything in our power to ensure what happened in Sandy Hook, and similar instances in the past, never happens again or else all those people will have died in vain," Justin Brannan, guitarist for New York hardcore groups Indecision and Most Precious Blood, tells Noisecreep.

Brannan is passionate about gun control and believes governmental action must be taken to stop future mass killings.

In addition to his music cred, Brannan is also President of the Bay Ridge Democrats, a Democratic political club in Brooklyn. He also serves as City Councilman Vincent Gentile's Communications Director. Gentile represents District 43, which includes southwest Brooklyn neighborhoods Bay Ridge, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights and sections of Bensonhurst.

"Whether it's a conversation about gun control, mental health or security in our schools – there might not be any one panacea - but the time for national action is definitely right now," continues Brannan. "I think we all want our children to be safe in school. We all want to go to a movie or the mall without fear that some lunatic will open fire on us. Let's do whatever we can to make it as hard as possible for people to commit mass murder. If semi-automatic weapons make it easy for people to commit mass murder, then something needs done there. There's no useful purpose for semi-automatic rifles other than mass killing. These are weapons similar to the ones used by troops in Afghanistan."

While Brannan acknowledges the struggle gun control advocates face, he remains optimistic, even with a Congress seemingly in constant gridlock. For Brannan, average Americans are the key to better gun safety – not just elected officials in Washington, D.C.

"I like to think that the members of the 'reasonable people's brigade' have growing numbers. I'd like to think that people realize our responsibility that our children grow up in a carefree environment. The death of children is not part of the price of liberty. I understand the Second Amendment and all that. This is something that was written back in the day of muskets, not when we had semi-automatic rifles. Far be it from me to evoke - as most people do - the wisdom of the founding fathers. I don't want to be one of those people that does that, but I really don't think they had semi-automatic weapons in mind. I think there's definitely been a perversion of what the Second Amendment truly means. I think the Second Amendment was meant to ensure a state's right to defend itself from an invasion of a nearby state. That's what the Second Amendment is about. It's not about a guy having 30 guns in his closet."

Watch Most Precious Blood's 'Shark Ethic' Video

Brannan has enjoyed considerable press as a result of making the jump from hardcore to politics. What may seem like a strange career move for some, for Brannan, it's nothing more than a "natural progression."

"I got my start as an animal welfare activist and being in bands in the early '90s," explains Brannan. "Then [I moved on to] touring bands and it was just the nature of the music. It wasn't this hollow sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll sort of thing. It was hardcore and it had a message. We'd stay up after the show, talking in a parking lot about things that really mattered. Later, we were in the hotel room watching CNN. We had music that was pregnant with purpose and passion. For me, it was a natural progression to get into policy work and to get into effecting change within myself and the world around me. From an early age, I was drawn to the idea of helping people. Politics was the next best thing for me. I grew up listening to the Dead Kennedys, Black Flag and Napalm Death. These are bands that – they might have sounded very abrasive to the untrained ear – but if you read the lyrics, they weren't singing about dungeons and dragons. They were singing about real life stuff."

For Most Precious Blood, there's an open-ended future. Brannan says the band is spread out all over the world, making getting together for live shows and recording difficult. But the band considers all offers and there has been talk of a new album. The members of Indecision still live in New York City, making live gigs easier logistically. And don't count Brannan out of a political run of his own. Like with his music, he leaves that door wide open.

Follow Brannan on Twitter: @JustinBrannan


Filed under: News, Interview, Exclusive

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dmsnycstyle

Its funny how when you can hide anonymously behind a screen some people get all tough. A majority of you talk all kinds of the same BS that has been said already you all sound like broken records. Instead of having an adult conversation you choose to name call and insult, is that the best you can do? So then let me talk to you in a way you might understand better.

I have nothing against people owning guns. I don’t think everyone should own them and I don’t think it’s a (god) given right. I think it should be harder for guns to make it on the streets and stricter penalties for those who don’t follow basic guidelines to owning them. I don’t want to hear about our forefathers and all that crap. Those were different times that called for different measures.

Now on to some of the comments. First. The US will not kill its people with guns. It will use chemicals, GMOs and keeping a majority of the population uneducated and ignorant. That’s how this form of government works. This is not Africa or Russia or the middle east where they do kill you and don’t care, we follow a different manner of oppression. While I am a fan of semi automatic and even fully automatic weapons I don’t see a real need for them in the civilian sector. If you can not take down your opponent with the minimal amount of rounds then you need to go back to the range and learn how to use your weapon correctly. And lets just skip the whole “you ever been in a firefight comment cause you have not) “we have to protect ourselves against terrorists!” I really doubt you will do anything but hiding if it came down to it. Again read this correctly I AM NOT AGAINST PEOPLE OWNING GUNS! Go for it. But at least be realistic about what you are buying and the real reason you are getting it. If someone tells me they are getting a 50Cal sniper rifle to shoot deer im going to call them on their BS. And yes the criminals will not follow gun control but if we make it a little harder to get them and force people to be held accountable for safe keeping them as well as more control in the resale of them maybe not as many criminals can get their hands on them. And lets get this out of the way., yes I have served in the military. Yes I am actually very well trained and decorated on an assortment of weapons. Yes I believe we should be allowed to own weapons WITH proper controls put in place. So if you want to get into a discussion with me about all these so called rights you are defending then you are truly blind into thinking that your vote counts or what you have to say really means Sh!t to politicians (both sides)and the rich who are the ones using us to do their bidding. Go find out how many politicians family members are in the military, and if they are do they ever get put into a combat zone. Same goes for the rich. So while you are all on here complaining and fighting each other, your real rights are being raped. Just remember Republicans will $#@! You in the a@@,

March 01 2013 at 5:39 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to dmsnycstyle's comment
dmsnycstyle

Democrats will $#@! you in the @$$ as well they will just be more romantic about it.
keep believing everything your are told. you are all being victimized by the very parties you support. the only ones who win here are politicians and the rich. if you don't believe me. how many family members of rich or politicans serve in the military and even those that do never get deployed to combat areas. the enslave us by making us believe we need to fight each other for what THEY believe. this is a tactic used for centuries and people just don't learn from it. keep drinking the Kool Aid! the flavor doesn't matter its just all sugar and chemicals painted different colors!

March 01 2013 at 5:50 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
themurray512

Sorry, but we are not giving up our 2nd amendment rights for a moron who does not like guns. Ask those millions who died by government hands why their governments disarmed them. Maybe if bad laws have not crippled mental health treatment and created "sitting duck zones" for crazies to kill people that can't fight back How many times have the government caused murders? You think they can only be trusted with weapons? Crazy people.

March 01 2013 at 2:09 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
claudehl

Ted Nugent's thick and empty head is going to explode.

February 28 2013 at 2:16 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
JIM

who?

February 27 2013 at 11:02 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Brad

Reading some of these posts, I just have to sit back and laugh at the assumptions some of you people make about a person you know only from this article. Yes, Justin is a musician, and no if you aren't into his particular genre of music you probably never heard of him or his bands (all of which promoted a strong anti-drug message). As someone who calls Justin a friend, I can tell you there are no security guards, armed or otherwise. Not every musician is P Diddy living a flamboyant lifestyle. This isn't just some "punk kid" or "stoner" , he's currently the Director of communications and Legislative Affairs for the New York City Council. It amazes me that so many people are so quick to try and tear down anyone with a viewpoint different than their own, and do it so viciously. In all of the comments here, not one person provided a reason why semi-automatic weapons are necessary for private ownership. Just because the 2nd amendment says you can? As a gun owner myself, I don't see the need.

February 27 2013 at 11:01 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Brad's comment
bertnernie229

I think the point you are missing is this. A semiautomatic weapon is not needed by anyone, The point is just because some do not see a need for them does not mean that people across the nation do not have a desire to own one or more for that matter and no one has a right to tell anyone they do not need one. That's like me telling your friend he does not need more then 1 guitar or speaker and his speaker does not need to be so loud.
Let's not forget that most of the hunting weapons across this nation are semiautomatic weapons. Some seem to think that a semiautomatic weapon is more deadly the a revolver but I can tell you this from years of experience. If you are shot with a revolver you will be just as dead as if you are shot with a semiautomatic. Oh and As I said Hunters use semiautomatic weapons all the time for hunting so I guess they would say that is what they need them for.
Did that answer your question?

February 28 2013 at 2:21 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to bertnernie229's comment
signal1236

Semiautomatic weapon is not needed by anyone. I don't think crime fighters, armed forces, government agencies, secret service are going to agree with you. But you believe the home maker does not need one. The criminal is not allowed to have one and if they can't stop him now the law will make the law abiding citizen a criminal.

February 28 2013 at 8:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down
Brad

I know I'm just pouring gasoline on the fire here, but something you said goes against your arguement. If you would be just as dead from a revolver as a semi-automatic, then why the need for the semi-automatic? I understand that most hunting weapons are now made in semi-automatic, but is that due to the want of the hunters, or the manufacturers?

February 28 2013 at 7:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down
Wally G Stone

Well Brad, criminals will not give up their guns no matter what the government does, and taking away my ability to meet force with force is a dictatorship. At what point do we stop "Big Brother" from taking complete control of our lives. Hell, you can't even buy a extra large Diet Cola, in New York.... My way may not be the right way, but neither is your way..... Get a grip on Mental Illness, and force gun owners to keep their guns under "Good Lock and Key".... I will keep my guns in a Safe, but I will not give them up!!!!!!!

February 28 2013 at 5:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
red

NEVAH HOID OF DA GUY...do you know what genetic falacy in logic is huff post?
Its assuming someone who is famous for playing a guitar knows anything about gun control.

February 27 2013 at 10:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
steblawar

He thinks the 2nd amendment was so that States could repell attacks from other nearby States? He's pretty clueless all the way around.

February 27 2013 at 10:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ral2

Another "artist" trying to make a political statement on a subject he has no clue about. Better stick to making that crap music youc all art.

February 27 2013 at 9:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
efancy2

no amount of gun control will keep killers from getting a gun...it's the killers we should control and that will never happen either

February 27 2013 at 9:22 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
spdy65

Brannan, never heard of you. And **** you and your opinions.

February 27 2013 at 9:21 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply

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