Gotta get his Hollyweird credibility back after the Jesus movie.
Not to mention "The Patriot" and "We Were Soldiers Once", "Braveheart" etc. Although he didn't produce or direct "The Patriot" or "Soldiers" as he did "Braveheart" and "Passion". He also didn't direct the "Lethal Weapon" series, wherein his character makes some anti NRA remarks. I always figure you can't blame an actor very much for what his characters say or do, but a producer or director is different as they have more control or the content of the film.
All in all, the remarks seems somewhat out of character for Gibson.
I don't think Gibson is trying to get back in with his Hollywood pals. He is with me on the most important thing: Christ and His atonement for my sin. But I don't think he ever agreed with us on the war to begin with.