Country music star Jelly Roll is set to petition the government to restore his Second Amendment rights so he can hunt, a move he believes is essential for his personal redemption. The musician, who has been sober for years, revealed on the "Joe Rogan Experience" that the terms of his parole prohibit him from owning or firing a gun due to a serious charge when he was a minor.
Jelly Roll confirmed he is up for a pardon this month from Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee. “My paperwork has been sent to my governor, and he considers pardons every December. So, every day, I'm just kind of praying,” he said.
Even with a pardon, Tennessee has a strict “zero forgiveness policy for violent offenders,” meaning the charges aren't completely exonerated. Jelly Roll explained his plan if he receives the pardon:
"My goal is that I want to reach out to legislation eventually and go, 'Hey, if nothing else, I'd like my right to hunt,'" Jelly Roll said. He explained that hunting has been crucial for his mental and physical health.
The star, who identifies as a Christian, argued there needs to be a “path to redemption” for former offenders, even if it takes 30 years.
"I understand if you've ever raped somebody or killed somebody, but I think that every … it should … there should be some path to redemption," he stated, referring to his own history, which includes serving over a year in prison and seven years of probation for aggravated robbery and possession with intent to sell when he was 16.
Jelly Roll admitted his desire to own a gun goes beyond hunting, noting that his security bill exceeds a million dollars a year. "I'd cut that bill in half tomorrow if I had the right to carry," he said.