Ted Nugent is a legendary guitarist who’s best known for his 70s hard rock classics “Cat Scratch Fever” and “Stranglehold.” He is a political provocateur who boldly espouses conservative talking points with a bombastic style. Nugent’s forthcoming album, Detroit Muscle, is a vehicle for his right-wing views. The album, which features the anthemic gun rights stomp “Come and Take It,” drops on April 29, 2022, via Pavement Music.

In the following excerpt from a newly published interview with Smashing Interviews Magazine, rock legend Ted Nugent discusses the strident gun rights message he sent to President Joe Biden:

Smashing Interviews Magazine: “Come and Take It” is about the Second Amendment to the Constitution. Did you actually send a copy to President Biden saying, “If you’re gonna infringe on our Second Amendment, start with me?”

Ted Nugent: Yeah. I sent a copy of “Come and Take It” to Beto O’Rourke and Joe Biden. Yes. “Come and Take It” is a political middle finger. Of course, it is, because a political middle finger is way overdue, and a political middle finger has always been the impetus for the destruction of evil forces, corruption and criminality. Joe Biden. But also, equal to that is that it wouldn’t matter what the content is in the message of the song. It’s just a great piece of music. With Greg and Jason, the energy and the love of the groove, the conveyance of the spirit of the chords and the pulse of the music, it could be a song about planting trees, I suppose. Maybe that wouldn’t be quite as sexy, but the music itself is like “Street Fighting Man” by the Stones. It could be about a number of subjects because of the pulse of the song and the rhythm of the song.

All our favorite songs have those components. That’s why they become our favorite songs. But in this day and age of just runaway corruption, abuse of power and threats against our freedoms by this rotten, soulless government, it’s even more appropriate. So we’re very, very proud that it’s a sold piece of music, groove and pulse but that it also has a very important and long overdue message.

Smashing Interviews Magazine: You obviously have problems with President Biden. But do you actually think that the government would confiscate all of your guns without cause or that it would be easy to repeal the Second Amendment?

Ted Nugent: Look at New York and the Gun Safety Act. It turned millions of New Yorkers into felons because they own a magazine that holds more than 10 rounds. First of all, limiting the rounds in your magazine is an infringement, and they already did it. I’ve got to tell you. There is no Second Amendment right now.

Smashing Interviews Magazine: (laughs) It’s still there.

Ted Nugent: Well, let me explain that. By the way, as I speak to you, you’re obviously a journalist, so that’s covered by the First Amendment. You and I have been speaking freely, so that’s the First Amendment. The truck convoy is doing a peaceful protest against government intrusion. That’s the First Amendment. You and I can choose our own religion or not. That’s the First Amendment. So we’re living our first Amendment right here today as you and I communicate. Can you show me the license that gives you to the right to your First Amendment? I know your silence is appropriate because you’re going, “I don’t need no damn permit.”

Smashing Interviews Magazine: Of course, not. It’s part of the Bill of Rights that was added to the Constitution.

Ted Nugent: It’s from God. The founding fathers wrote it down because it’s a self-evident truth. Are you still with me? Where is your First Amendment good? Let me answer that question. Everywhere! Is there a street corner in America where you don’t have a First Amendment right? It applies to everyone.

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About the authors:

Marc Parker is an American journalist, author, artist, a photographer and a computer scientist. He is the founder/publisher/editor-in-chief of Smashing Interviews Magazine. Marc Parker's social media: Twitter Facebook

Melissa Benefield Parker is an American journalist and author. She is the founder/publisher of Smashing Interviews Magazine. Melissa Benefield Parker's social media: Twitter Facebook