How Netflix's 'Tiger King' documentary on Joe Exotic became the center of America's gun control debate
Netflix's 'Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness' has brought to audiences the unbelievable story of Joe Exotic, an ex-zoo owner who is currently serving a 22-year-prison sentence for violating wildlife laws and plotting a murder-for-hire against his arch-nemesis Carole Baskin.
Since its release on March 20, 2020, the seven-part docuseries has wowed Netflix's global audience with its explosive documentation of Exotic's life. At the same time, it has most recently drawn attention to a very important issue in the country — gun safety.
A self-described "gay, gun-carrying redneck with a mullet", Exotic's life and adventures are unlike the ones you witness in real life — most particularly, his incessant dependence on guns without any regard for precautions.
The documentary's most shocking moment was when Joe Exotic's husband Travis Maldonado shoots himself in front of campaign manager Josh Dial. It is also the scene that highlights the importance of gun safety. How?
When recalling the incident in the aftershow 'The Tiger King and I' (which forms the eighth episode of the Netflix series), Dial says that Maldonado was showing off a new gun that Joe had brought for him — a Ruger that isn't supposed to fire without the clip.
"Right then, he put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger to prove to me that it wouldn't fire without the clip," he said. "However, it must have had one in the chamber. I was looking at him in the eyes when he did it and I could see the surprise and the fear in his eyes."
"I mean, basically translated, he's like, 'Oh crap what did I just do?’ I mean, maybe five seconds of his eyes I could read it and then he was gone," Dial says.
The shocking episode sparked outrage on social media as viewers continue to be outraged by the blatant disregard for law and authorities. "What happened to Travis f**ked me up. He was being a stupid kid just like all of us have been stupid kids," one viewer said.
"The lack of gun safety n the show pissed me off and when Travis accidentally killed himself I was so disappointed and everyone except for Josh who had to watch it," the viewer added.
Many viewers strongly believe that Maldonado would have been alive today if only he had followed gun safety instructions. "Not to be controversial, but can people stop saying Travis purposely committed suicide," pointed out a viewer.
"There is literally video evidence that shows he didn't, along with an account of what happened from a witness. It was a tragic accident that stemmed from a lack of gun safety," the viewer added.
"If for no other reason, please watch Tiger King as a shining example of what NOT to do in terms of gun safety," added another. The blatant disregard seems to have both irked and blown away audiences.
"The gun safety of tiger king pisses me the f**k off," tweeted a viewer. "God damn, I watched #TigerKing episode 8. Man, I’m glad you taught me about gun safety. Seriously, that was messed up," tweeted a viewer.
At the end of the day, the docuseries has taught millions a terribly important life lesson: "My takeaway from tiger king is this: Always treat a gun like it’s loaded."
'Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness' is currently streaming on Netflix.