Aug. 20, 2010
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Gun controversy hits Miss Universe

Donald Trump, no stranger to courting controversy, has another beauty pageant potboiler.

No one is better at trying to boost TV ratings by adding controversial personalities to the stew.

This time, a potential brouhaha is building over a gun issue: Should a pageant judge known for his public outbursts be allowed to pack heat to the Miss Universe finals?

It was reported earlier this week by a local entertainment blogger that Las Vegas headliner Criss Angel, who will be judging Monday's competition at Mandalay Bay, has a license to carry a concealed weapon.

Longtime Los Angeles Times blogger Richard Abowitz, noting such information is now public record, said Las Vegas police confirmed Angel has a license. That should raise concern, wrote Abowitz (www.goldplateddoor.com), when that person "is known locally for his explosive temper."

Two years ago at the Miss USA pageant, Angel made headlines after some erratic behavior, first by causing a pageant judge to squirm by reminding her that his girlfriend, Miss Nevada USA Veronica Grabowski, was a contestant and then said "give her high marks." When Grabowski didn't make the first cut on the night of the finals, Angel flipped off an NBC cameraman who was looking for a reaction. He got one.

It's nothing new for Trump and NBC. A year ago, celebrity blogger Perez Hilton triggered a firestorm when, as a judge, he asked Miss California Carrie Prejean her views on legalizing gay marriage.

After her response -- "I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman" -- the blogger criticized her on his website, adding fuel to the national debate.

Two days before the 2009 pageant, Angel and Hilton got into it during Angel's Cirque du Soleil show at Luxor after the blogger criticized it on Twitter.

So, the question is: How do the sponsoring parties feel about the possibility of Angel showing up with a concealed weapon?

I sent an e-mail to Trump, but his response, through an intermediary, was more of a nonresponse.

Another e-mail went to Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe organization, asking the question: would the organization request that Angel leave his firearm at home?

Shugart did not respond by deadline.

The state of Nevada has no restriction on carrying firearms in casinos, but casinos, under state law, can have "no weapons" policies to prevent people from coming in armed.

Vegas Confidential learned Thursday that a local resort earlier this year turned in a report to Las Vegas police after a high-profile athlete was seen with a firearm.

MGM Resorts International spokesman Alan Feldman responded in an e-mail that "while there may be subtle differences property-to-property, guests are prohibited from carrying weapons in public areas -- or having weapons in their rooms."

SIGHTINGS

Music legend Dick Clark, in the audience at Anthony Cools' uncensored show (Paris) on Thursday. ... At the TapouT MAGIC party at Pure nightclub (Caesars Palace) on Wednesday: the clothing line founders Punkass and SkySkrape, Chris "Birdman" Andersen of the Denver Nuggets and UFC stars Royce Gracie, Shane Carwin, Chael Sonnen, Court McGee, and Jamie Yager and WEC fighter Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone. ... The Los Angeles band The Neighbors, featuring actor Randy Brown, will be jamming at the Extra Lounge (Planet Hollywood Resort) tonight from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., with Richard Burgi of "Desperate Housewives" on hand to jam with the band.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Snooki from 'Jersey Shore' was in court after being arrested for public drunkenness. How can you arrest someone for doing their job?" -- Jimmy Kimmel

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.

http://www.lvrj.com/news/gun-controv...101146304.html

Steve