Jelly Roll Shares He Wants To Petition His Right To Possess A Firearm
Jelly Roll shared he intends to formally petition the government to restore his legal right to possess a rifle for hunting purposes.
The country star appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience, where he discussed the conditions of his parole, which currently prohibit him from possessing or discharging a firearm. When Rogan asked whether these restrictions were permanent, Jelly explained that he is scheduled to be considered for a pardon this month.
“Well, this is interesting. This is a slippery slope for me. I am up for a pardon this year. My paperwork has been sent to my governor, and he considers pardons every December. So, every day, I’m just kind of praying,” Jelly told Joe Rogan.
The “Save Me” singer explained that even if Tennessee Governor Bill Lee were to grant him a pardon, the state maintains a “zero forgiveness” policy for violent offenders.
“So, I would be pardoned, but I wouldn’t be exonerated. The charges aren’t completely gone,” he said.
Jelly Roll hopes to appeal to the legislature to restore his right to hunt, sharing that hunting has been important for his mental and physical well-being.
“I want to go to them and go, ‘Look, 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.’ Even if it takes 30 years,” Jelly Roll said.
He acknowledged that his desire to own a firearm extends beyond hunting, noting that he also wishes to be able to protect himself, saying it would save him “one million dollars” a year.
“I’d cut that bill in half tomorrow if I had the right to carry,” Jelly said.
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Jelly’s History With Incarceration
Throughout his young-adult life, Jelly Roll was in and out of jail for multiple counts, ranging from drug possession to aggravated robbery.
Jelly was convicted of aggravated robbery when he just was a teenager. This felony conviction is the reason he is currently prohibited from legally owning or possessing a firearm.
In January of 2024, he visited his old jail cell and reflected on his decade-long struggle with the criminal justice system.
“There was a time in my life where I truly thought…this was it,” he said during the CBS Sunday Mornings special.
Jelly has been very open about his journey, actively working to support individuals still facing the challenges of incarceration.
During a visit to Chesterfield County Jail in Virginia, Jelly Roll connected with inmates through music and conversation, using his own journey to inspire those battling addiction to take control of their lives and redefine themselves beyond their past struggles.
Went and spread some love at the Chesterfield county jail before our sold out show in Virginia Beach pic.twitter.com/fSa1vHlGhG
— Jelly Roll (@JellyRoll615) August 13, 2023