Posted on 05/29/2025 7:43:12 AM PDT by Kleon
A Louisiana rapper who was convicted on gun charges is now thanking President Donald Trump for pardoning him, saying he is "giving me the opportunity to keep building -- as a man, as a father, and as an artist."
NBA YoungBoy, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden, made the statement as Trump issued a number of pardons Wednesday.
Last year, Gaulden was sentenced by a federal judge in Utah after he acknowledged possessing weapons despite being a convicted felon. However, he reached an agreement that resolved Utah state charges against him and settled two sets of federal charges against him -- one carried a 23-month sentence and the other ordered five years of probation and a $200,000 fine.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
The second amendment does not forbid freed felons from weapons possession.
So... pardoned for a false crime created by illicit laws that infringe on his inalienable right to keep and bear arms.
Why is Trump bothering with these types? Optics not great here. Thugs belong in jail.
That's right, let's pander to the his street thug following.
This particular thug has a rap sheet several pages long - armed robbery, attempted murder, you name it, he's done it. The only reason you're applauding this move is that because it's Trump rather than Biden or anyone else giving him a pardon.
He should never have been set loose after his armed robbery and attempted murder convictions to begin with.
Good - a voice of reason! There's a certain type of groupthink among some here where the only litmus test for whether a policy is good or not is whether Trump does it or approves of it.
Felons are stripped of their voting rights, and it’s only fair that they’re also stripped of their right to bear arms. Once you commit a felony, particularly a violent one, you become less than a citizen - as it well ought to be. The NRA and other gun rights groups aren’t out there defending the right of armed robbers and murderers (or attempted murderers) to be armed.
Can you imagine letting a murderer who’s served 20 years being given the “right” to bear arms once he’s released? No thank you.
I do not agree. The Second Amendment does not say "except if you are a convicted felon.
Its not really clear whether Trump signed this pardon because he actually believed the guy needed a 2nd chance, or whether he did it to further rattle the dems’ cage by prying loose more black male support. Could just be a cynical chess move to further upset the dems’ belief that they can keep all african americans on the liberal plantation. The dems’ recent “Speaking to American Men” game plan on how to re-engage male voters shows how cluless they are, and actions like this one may just add fuel to that fire.
In other words, nothing moral going on here, just political warfare.
New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen established a new standard for evaluating gun laws, emphasizing that any restrictions must align with the nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation.
OK, but this doesn’t change the fact that another has been set loose upon the public. If politicians want to play political games, they shouldn’t use the criminal justice system to play them.
He should serve out his sentence. This guy is a full-on murderous thug that has every bit of potential to continue that behavior. No punishment or incarceration, no incentive to STOP doing what he’s doing. And innocents trying to live their lives will pay the price. Again.
This is a VERY BAD IDEA. This needs be reversed and the guy locked back up before he robs or kills someone again. Why on earth should the law-abiding, innocents and hard-working Americans and folks raising kids be used as a testing ground to prove out whether this thug is going to keep his so-called promise to be a “father” and all the other stuff he says he wants to do? Oh yes to further his brand as a rapper? WHAT?!
LOCK THIS MONSTER BACK UP, MR. PRESIDENT!
This shouldn't be controversial, I don't see the NRA promoting the rights of violent felons to purchase guns upon release. The only reason some people on this thread are defending this guy's release and his "right" to own firearms after being convicted of armed robbery and attempted murder is that Trump is the one issuing the pardon. If anyone other than Trump did this, they'd be up in arms (no bad pun intended) about it.
I agree. But realistically, when have our politicians ever put the safety of the public before their own personal political interests? IF that is why Trump pardoned this guy, then he’s no different. I hope that’s not the case, but to be honest I’m starting to wonder.
Really? Gaulden is a murderer? Does he know that?
Will he get another pardon then just to score a cheap political point with people who don't vote Republican anyway? Let's say that a stunt like this improves the Republican share of the black vote from 5% to 6 or even 7%. Meanwhile, he's alienating a much larger share of the voters who want law and order - i.e. the people who vote Republican to begin with. So not only is it bad ethics and bad optics, it's bad politics.
Armed robber and attempted murderer, if you want to split hairs. You defenders of Gaulden are sounding like the “Free Mumia Abu-Jamal” lefties.
You gun grabbers sound like homos.
I guess the NRA is a group of "gun grabbers" and "homos" since they support a ban on violent felons owning guns.
You know perfectly well that if Gaulden were pardoned by a Democrat you wouldn't be defending him, because you're incapable of judging a policy on its own merits, just on the basis of whether a politician you like or dislike it responsible. Go back to your flock, little sheep!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.