Jon Bernthal has nothing but strong words for the members of the alt-right using the Punisher log to represent themselves.
The Marvel Netflix television star just recently sat down with Esquire to talk about his life and his work as Marvel TV's Punisher, and at some point during the discussion with the publication, Bernthal was asked what his reaction was towards the alt-right protesters wearing the Marvel hero's skull as an emblem.
After the publication references Charlottesville's white supremacist demonstration, Bernthal openly expressed himself in two simple words.
"F-k them," he said, referring to the alt-righters using the Punisher's logo.
The Punisher's logo is being used by a number of other movements, but Bernthal isn't in the least bit pleased that it's being used by the alt-right. However, when it comes to deployed members of the US armed forces, Bernthal sings a different song, saying that he feels "honored to play a guy who people putting their life on the line identify with."
In their discussion, the Marvel star also opened up about what he felt concerning the Punisher's association with issues regarding gun control, bringing up the Texas church shooting where a mentally ill man gunned down 26 individuals.
"Sometimes when people write about me, it sounds like I'm glorifying the violence…" he said. "I'm a gun owner. 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. 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."
It's good to see that Bernthal endorses responsible gun ownership and values. The Punisher probably would also feel the same way. Though the anti-hero does tend to be rough and gruff, he still does his best to take responsibility for his actions.
The first season of The Punisher is currently streaming on Netflix.
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