Charlton Heston passed away today at the age of 83. Most people probably remember him as the lead actor in such epic movies as "The Ten Commandments", "Ben-Hur" and "Planet of the Apes". And indeed, he should be commended for helming these stellar roles.

But what I'll remember him for are these five words: "from my cold, dead hands". Heston first uttered those words to rebut then-Vice President Al Gore's criticism of the United States' Second Constitutional Amendment, which gives its citizens the right to bear arms. Well, okay, actually he first said them in "Planet of the Apes".

But the phrase would be forever immortalised through Heston's association with the National Rifle Association. His raised rifle was a clear sign of defiance against his anti-gun critics. He continued championing the NRA's cause as its president and spokesman, even as the U.S. slid further and further into criminal abyss.

Worse, and in an act that was lacking in sensitivity, he led NRA conventions near places that had suffered from great tragedy due to the misuse of guns. According to Michael Moore's "Bowling for Columbine", Heston proclaimed those same five words, "from my cold, dead hands", from a stage close to the scene of one of the worst acts of random local massacres in U.S. history.

I actually don't mind the existence of the NRA or of Heston being its president then. I believe that people have the right to organise themselves around causes that they strongly believe in, no matter how much I would oppose them.

However, I also believe that there is a time and place for everything. By holding NRA rallies just after gunfights that killed innocents, he was plainly thumbing his nose at those who were suffering from the loss of loved ones. And that's what I can't get over.

Charlton Heston died today. It's time to rip his rifle from his cold, dead hands.