In Guns We Trust, home

Transcript · In the film

Tommy Jackett

Co-host

Tommy aims a prop revolver during armourer Dutch Merrick's firearms safety course in Los Angeles. Still ›

2. TWO AUSTRALIANS WHO LOVE AMERICA — UNITED STATES

TOMMY JACKETT

Just said, yeah, America. Love it.

3. PANTS ON, GUNS ON — UNITED STATES

TOMMY JACKETT

Tommy.

TOMMY JACKETT

Wow.

5. THE ARGUMENT FOR NOT KNOWING — MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

TOMMY JACKETT

What are you most excited about?

TOMMY JACKETT

Yeah.

TOMMY JACKETT

Yeah. I mean, who is best placed to make a documentary on something like this? I think the fact that we're so removed from that environment, I don't feel like I have a stance on guns, because we don't have them in our lives like Americans do.

TOMMY JACKETT

Yeah, on the way to the airport right now.

6. ARRIVAL — LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

TOMMY JACKETT

Wrong side. I'm driving. Yeah, dude, it's chaos here. Thank you.

TOMMY JACKETT

She's nervous about you driving.

TOMMY JACKETT

I'm nervous. Oh, this is a Cybertruck.

TOMMY JACKETT

Did he?

4:297. SAMMY'S TOUR — HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES5:00TOMMY JACKETT
Whoa!
5:19TOMMY JACKETT
Sammy, what do you love about America?
5:35TOMMY JACKETT
Oh, really?
5:47TOMMY JACKETT
And so do you think your son feels safer having the arsenal, or—
6:39TOMMY JACKETT
Did it change you at all, that experience?

8. TEACH PEOPLE, OR HEAR PEOPLE — SANTA MONICA AND UCLA

TOMMY JACKETT

In Australia, we have very strict gun laws. There's not even the thought in their mind of guns in Australia.

TOMMY JACKETT

We don't have to consider it day to day. Do you think you can be in the middle on guns as an American?

TOMMY JACKETT

I feel like, from where we're from, we're not thinking about guns, so I feel like I'm neutral at this moment. You think by the end of it we're gonna be still feeling like that?

9:369. DUTCH MERRICK, HOLLYWOOD ARMOURER — LOS ANGELES9:54TOMMY JACKETT
Morning.
9:58TOMMY JACKETT
Dutch, nice to meet you, mate.
10:33TOMMY JACKETT
Josh, you can do this. I have faith in you.
10:55TOMMY JACKETT
You did great, right there.
10:58TOMMY JACKETT
I'm Tommy. My gun experience is that I watch a lot of movies, so I know what I see, but I don't know physically, because I don't have access to them like that.
11:12TOMMY JACKETT
The problem is, I think, Dutch, that I can, because I watch the movies.
11:41TOMMY JACKETT
Hang on, who's getting hit, Dutch?
11:57TOMMY JACKETT
But don't you shoot with—
12:04TOMMY JACKETT
Oh, geez.
12:30TOMMY JACKETT
Primer, cap, powder, charge. Case, bullet.
13:12TOMMY JACKETT
Awesome.
14:22TOMMY JACKETT
I had a vasectomy.

14:2810. IN-N-OUT, THEN AUTUMN — LOS ANGELES14:35TOMMY JACKETT
Yeah. Is this what you wanted? Like, this size?
14:42TOMMY JACKETT
We're going to see so much of America. What are you looking forward to?
15:04TOMMY JACKETT
Dude, you can come over.
15:13TOMMY JACKETT
Yeah, nah, a bit more lethal than that.
15:20TOMMY JACKETT
Yeah.
15:23TOMMY JACKETT
Yeah, it's a different— it's a different world over here.

12. THE BARBERSHOP — LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

TOMMY JACKETT

Yeah, yeah.

TOMMY JACKETT

What was Las Vegas like at that time, when it happened?

TOMMY JACKETT

So what do you think of that statement?

20:4013. FIRST LIVE ROUNDS, WITH MIKE SODINI — NEVADA DESERT21:08TOMMY JACKETT
How you feeling?
21:10TOMMY JACKETT
It's kind of, like, exciting.
21:13TOMMY JACKETT
Also a little bit scary. Unknown.
22:10TOMMY JACKETT
Yeah.
22:14TOMMY JACKETT
In my mind, I think I'm not going to flinch. And then I just can't help it. It's, like, a— it is a natural response, right?
22:42TOMMY JACKETT
You're talking—
22:48TOMMY JACKETT
'Cause they're not loaded. Nothing's loaded yet.
22:56TOMMY JACKETT
The basics are good when you've never shot a gun like this before.
23:50TOMMY JACKETT
Okay.
23:53TOMMY JACKETT
That is so satisfying.
24:02TOMMY JACKETT
It's a bit addictive. I want to keep going.
24:16TOMMY JACKETT
I'm gonna frame that.
24:34TOMMY JACKETT
Whoa!
26:08TOMMY JACKETT
Oh my God, my ears are ringing.
26:18TOMMY JACKETT
Shoot a couple more big guns, and then the John Wick shotgun.
26:23TOMMY JACKETT
John Wick is one of my favorite movies. All four of them.

29:1515. GINA AND RAY AT THE GUN SHOP — ST GEORGE, UTAH30:29TOMMY JACKETT
How about you, Ray? Have you ever had to pull your gun, or—
30:37TOMMY JACKETT
Would you mind sharing what happened?
31:37TOMMY JACKETT
All caps?
32:00TOMMY JACKETT
So Ray passed?
32:02TOMMY JACKETT
Well done, Ray.
32:06TOMMY JACKETT
Hey, Ray, can I touch your gun?

32:2816. MYCHAEL WALLER: THREE TIMES — NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE32:59TOMMY JACKETT
His Instagram bio reads, "Son of the Most High, husband and father of four." And he says, "Self-defense shooting survivor times three." How do you get in three self-defense situations?
33:48TOMMY JACKETT
He's good.
33:54TOMMY JACKETT
Damn, you're good.
34:03TOMMY JACKETT
Sharpshooter.
36:29TOMMY JACKETT
Joe, does this resonate with you?
37:07TOMMY JACKETT
Yeah.

37:4617. DRAGONLAND — COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO38:22TOMMY JACKETT
Yep.
39:17TOMMY JACKETT
What are the similarities in the gun lovers that you see?
39:53TOMMY JACKETT
Melissa, can I ask you a question? Do you think you can talk about guns without talking about politics?
40:04TOMMY JACKETT
Yeah.
40:15TOMMY JACKETT
Are these real guns, Mel?
40:21TOMMY JACKETT
Wow.
41:23TOMMY JACKETT
People grow up and their parents have businesses, and not everyone wants to go into the family business. What was that decision for you like?
42:35TOMMY JACKETT
That was amazing.
42:36TOMMY JACKETT
Thanks, Mel.

42:4218. THE SHERIFF IN THE DINER — WACO, TEXAS42:50TOMMY JACKETT
People are so friendly. Weather's very hot.
42:54TOMMY JACKETT
And it seems like they're running their own show.
42:57TOMMY JACKETT
Like, Texas is Texas.
43:03TOMMY JACKETT
Oh, look, he's got a gun on his hip.
43:09TOMMY JACKETT
That's the first person, like, person in public that we've seen with a gun on their hip. He looks like a real cowboy.
43:19TOMMY JACKETT
I like it. Is it too much to ask him about his gun?
43:25TOMMY JACKETT
Excuse me, sir.
43:28TOMMY JACKETT
Are you the sheriff?
43:30TOMMY JACKETT
Tommy.
43:32TOMMY JACKETT
And this is my friend Josh.
43:35TOMMY JACKETT
We're from Australia, making a documentary about the Second Amendment.
44:01TOMMY JACKETT
Yeah, that's what I—
44:06TOMMY JACKETT
Oh, I'd love that.
44:15TOMMY JACKETT
Turn it up.
44:28TOMMY JACKETT
Yeah. Have you got a stash?

44:3319. TWIN TOMMY GUNS, AND A LIVE ROUND — WACO, TEXAS44:50TOMMY JACKETT
Oh, wow.
44:52TOMMY JACKETT
Well, that's my nickname.
45:17TOMMY JACKETT
We've been learning about firearms, and just how dry firing, right, is not good for the gun. Can I dry fire this, or—
45:34TOMMY JACKETT
Is this the Colt?
45:37TOMMY JACKETT
Wow. Can I?
45:44TOMMY JACKETT
Oh, there you go. Oh, there's a bullet in there.
46:19TOMMY JACKETT
And so, Sheriff, anyway, I've never taken a life with a gun before. Is there, you know, something I should feel bad about? I can't really work it out just yet.

46:4620. HOGS FROM A HELICOPTER — TEXAS47:18TOMMY JACKETT
Yeah, yeah.
47:37TOMMY JACKETT
Yep.
47:52TOMMY JACKETT
Okay. Man, it feels weird.
48:14TOMMY JACKETT
Beautiful out here.
48:33TOMMY JACKETT
So what, you found a pig, is that right?
49:19TOMMY JACKETT
Wow! Yeah! Beautiful! That was unbelievable! Yeah, this is wild. This is Texas, baby!
50:23TOMMY JACKETT
How would you feel if there was no guns for personal safety in this country?
50:36TOMMY JACKETT
One shot, JJ! That was unbelievable!

21. ARE WE BECOMING DESENSITISED? — TEXAS

TOMMY JACKETT

Yeah, I mean, that moment at the sheriff's office, the live bullet. Like, while it is— there is a bit of, "Oh, wow." Yeah, I'm definitely feeling like we're becoming a lot more desensitized.

TOMMY JACKETT

Yeah.

TOMMY JACKETT

Well, you see, you know, conversation with Melissa from Dragon Man. We didn't feel like we were being overly political.

TOMMY JACKETT

She actually said that you can't talk about guns without talking about politics.

51:5522. EVERY CORNER HAS A MURDERER — BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA; WASHINGTON, DC; THE TEXAS BORDER52:46TOMMY JACKETT
But the problem is everything is in small sound bites.
53:09TOMMY JACKETT
What do guns mean to you? Does it play a part of your life?
54:09TOMMY JACKETT
To protect themselves from whatever threat is outside.
54:19TOMMY JACKETT
So you're saying that your staff over this side are being shot at from over there?
54:24TOMMY JACKETT
Who by?
54:26TOMMY JACKETT
America's got a gun problem. What do you think about that?

55:0823. HALLOWEEN WITH FAMILY — CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA55:44TOMMY JACKETT
[name], do you want to help? Your uncle needs help.
56:04TOMMY JACKETT
It's not a competition. Oh, here we go.
56:12TOMMY JACKETT
[name]! Oh, I miss you, [name]. We're going trick-or-treating around the neighborhood here. Put it back.
56:21TOMMY JACKETT
I can't wait to see you. I'll bring you home some candy. I love you, [name]. Love you, [name]. Love you, [name]. Love you.
56:28TOMMY JACKETT
Bye.
56:32TOMMY JACKETT
See ya.
57:01TOMMY JACKETT
In Australia, in fact, when my family came, they were very afraid, because it was July 4th and all the firecrackers. They were like— she was afraid that somebody was shooting. So I know in Australia it's a little different.

57:4524. KIDS TO KINGS — ATLANTA, GEORGIA58:14TOMMY JACKETT
No.
59:31TOMMY JACKETT
[name]?
59:32TOMMY JACKETT
[name]. Nice to meet you, man.
1:00:13TOMMY JACKETT
You boys feeling all right?
1:00:15TOMMY JACKETT
Feel nervous?
1:01:31TOMMY JACKETT
These are pretty heavy conversations. I've got young children myself, and I, um— like, I hear you talk about suicide, and I've had some close friends commit suicide, and I find myself trying to shelter my kids from these things, these topics, and, like, you know, talking in front of these young guys, is that— are you finding this a benefit, them understanding the realities of this stuff, versus sheltering them from it?
1:02:16TOMMY JACKETT
A SWAT officer?
1:02:19TOMMY JACKETT
Awesome.
1:02:25TOMMY JACKETT
Yeah?
1:02:52TOMMY JACKETT
When it fires, what does it make you feel inside?
1:02:59TOMMY JACKETT
You were a bit angry? What was making you angry?
1:03:06TOMMY JACKETT
I get it.
1:03:08TOMMY JACKETT
Can relate to that. What gun should I use?
1:03:16TOMMY JACKETT
This one? The tan?
1:03:18TOMMY JACKETT
Can I grab it, Kevin?
1:03:20TOMMY JACKETT
It is a real sort of skill that you have to learn, to not sort of get excited and just grab one and put it in.
1:03:28TOMMY JACKETT
Yeah.
1:03:32TOMMY JACKETT
And let's go in three, two, one. Okay? Three, two, one.

25. MOON PIES — ALABAMA

TOMMY JACKETT

This is what my kids do.

TOMMY JACKETT

Never had a Moon Pie.

TOMMY JACKETT

Share a Moon Pie. You want to go the chocolate Moon Pie?

TOMMY JACKETT

Good point.

1:04:0726. THE AMMUNITION VENDING MACHINE — PELL CITY, ALABAMA1:04:10TOMMY JACKETT
Oh my God, I'm trying to work out what that machine is right there.
1:04:14TOMMY JACKETT
For bullets?
1:04:28TOMMY JACKETT
Do you have a gun?
1:04:30TOMMY JACKETT
Which one do you have?
1:04:32TOMMY JACKETT
So let's get you some handgun bullets.
1:04:36TOMMY JACKETT
Check out.
1:04:41TOMMY JACKETT
Really?
1:04:51TOMMY JACKETT
Who are they?
1:04:53TOMMY JACKETT
Ah, yeah. Acca Dacca.
1:04:59TOMMY JACKETT
Thanks, Blue.

1:05:0027. A SAFE PLACE WITHIN THE SAFE PLACE — ALABAMA1:05:56TOMMY JACKETT
Oh my gosh.
1:06:02TOMMY JACKETT
Kevin, how many kids can you fit in this room?
1:06:38TOMMY JACKETT
I've got two children. I've got a seven-year-old who's at primary school like this. And I see this, and, like, I can't imagine as a parent what it would feel like to have to think about my son running into that.
1:06:53TOMMY JACKETT
What is that feeling like for you, understanding—
1:08:51TOMMY JACKETT
Thanks, man.

28. DRILLS, DATA AND THE CAPITAL — WASHINGTON, DC

TOMMY JACKETT

I've got a seven-year-old and a three-year-old, and my son, um, the drill that he has to do would be for a fire. That's about it. But in this country, there's the active shooter drill. Is this something that is beneficial, or is it impacting the children's psychology?

TOMMY JACKETT

And you have Kevin in Alabama with the bulletproof whiteboards, which really, these, as Kevin said, were Band-Aid fixes to a problem. And maybe this town is where the real solution to the real problem happens.

30. REMAIN HOPEFUL — WASHINGTON, DC

TOMMY JACKETT

Do you think Americans are desensitized to gun violence?

1:13:0131. A SHOOTING ON THEIR STREET — WASHINGTON, DC1:13:07TOMMY JACKETT
I'll see if I can ask the police officer anything.
1:13:24TOMMY JACKETT
Any chance that we could get a comment about what's happened here?
1:13:36TOMMY JACKETT
Did you hear it?
1:13:46TOMMY JACKETT
Fourth time in this street?
1:14:07TOMMY JACKETT
Yeah.

Every line as spoken in the film, from the full transcript. Times are from the picture-locked cut; children’s names are withheld. Quotation with attribution is welcome. Spotted a mistake? [email protected]