Kilmer angers the locals

Actor Val Kilmer has angered state lawmakers with his comments about New Mexico, where he lives.

Kilmer, who has a ranch in the mountains south of Pecos, was asked about living in rural New Mexico in an interview published in Rolling Stone magazine.

The actor told the interviewer he carries a gun in his car. “I live in the homicide capital of the Southwest,” he said. “80% of the people in my county are drunk. So driving home on the highway, especially with kids, carrying a gun is just a precaution.”

Kilmer, who is currently starring as porn actor John Holmes in Wonderland, was asked how he spends his time. After talking about feeding the animals and going to the water hole, he said jokingly: “We shoot the automatic weapons at the trespassers and people a different colour than us.”

State Senator Phil Griego, whose district includes Kilmer’s ranch, said if the actor doesn’t like it, he is welcome to leave.

“He’s shooting from the hip and he’s espousing stuff he really doesn’t know anything about,” said Griego.