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‘My judgment was jaded, and I felt my life was in danger,’ he says of his attempt to illegally purchase firearms. By Kara Warner T.I. on “Larry King Live” Photo: CNN Larry King is sometimes criticized for conducting softball or fluff interviews, but for Thursday night’s (May 13) sit-down with rapper T.I. — his first in-depth interview since leaving prison — King kept his questions hard-hitting and pointed. Clifford “T.I.” Harris was sentenced to one year and one day of prison last year following his arrest in October 2007 for attempting to illegally purchase firearms. The rapper was subsequently released to a halfway house in December to serve out the remainder of his sentence before his ultimate release at the end of March. King got right to the point and asked T.I. why he attempted the purchase of firearms in the first place. “It came from an attempt that was made on my life,” he said. “My best friend [ Philant Johnson ] had died in my arms. It caused a state of depression and paranoia. My judgment was jaded, and I felt my life was in danger. … At the time, when I felt the need to have these things, I never took into consideration the legalities; I only took into consideration the protection of my life and family.” King pressed Tip on whether he has truly put the “trouble” behind him. T.I. insisted that he is a “gangster no more,” he absolutely does not own a weapon and he is looking toward the future and to evolve. “In having time to sit and reflect, if you take the time and use it to your advantage, you see [that], even though all those rounds were fired that night, you didn’t have a firearm and you’re still here,” he said. “Obviously, the firearms aren’t what’s keeping you alive. I had to take that into consideration. I had to apply it to the way I live my daily life.” Throughout the interview, T.I. was calm and composed and answered all of King’s questions without pause — save for when the CNN vet asked if he had ever shot a gun at anyone. T.I. called out the Fifth Amendment before answering that he had shot a gun “at a range.” Regardless, anything having to do with drugs or guns was referred to as “my past.” T.I. seemed genuinely focused on his future, working with at-risk youth and mentioned his love for his six children and “special lady” Tameka. He also reiterated his personal responsibility in moving on from the events that led to his incarceration. “The main thing I can do to protect myself in the future is to understand my position,” he said. “I can’t put myself in an environment where it will require me to have a handgun. I just stay places where I can be cool. I have security now. … I take full responsibility for everything that happened to me. I’m a full believer that your life is what you make it. Society doesn’t owe you anything.” Did you watch T.I.’s appearance on “Larry King”? What did you think of his answers? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists T.I.

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T.I. Tells Larry King ‘Depression And Paranoia’ Led To His Arrest