The Netflix Marvel series The Punisher, with its fetishistic treatment of firearms and a vigilante anti-hero seeking vengeance against the criminals who killed his family, has garnered its fair share of right-wing fans, but star Jon Bernthal has rejected any association to watchers who fall into the alt-right end of the conservatism spectrum.

Asked by US Esquire whether he was aware that alt-right protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia were seen sporting Punisher logos on their outfits, Bernthal succinctly answered: "F--- them."

He did, however, express his gratitude over the show's popularity amongst veterans and active members of the US military, saying: "I feel honoured to play a guy who people putting their life on the line identify with."

Bernthal also spoke about America's culture of gun violence, which has previously impacted the series. As a result of October's Las Vegas shooting spree, in which 58 were killed, The Punisher's Netflix debut was delayed by a month, amid concerns about the show's glorification of gun use. Bernthal admitted to Esquire that recent attacks have given him pause.

"I'm a gun owner," Bernthal said. "I have a gun in my house to keep my family safe. I'm trained in that gun's use. I know how to keep it away from my kids, and I know how to use it if I need to.