"I love my state and Pecos where I live," says Kilmer in the letter published in The Santa Fe New Mexican. 

He also denies telling Rolling Stone that he lives in the "homicide capital of the United States". And in a move that would make Michael Moore happy, Kilmer also denied the magazine’s account of him carrying a gun. 

Kilmer further talks about how he is part Native American and how his father was brought up and ultimately laid to rest in New Mexico. 

The Associated Press reports that Rolling Stone spokeswoman Claudia Diromauldo has gone on the record stating the magazine stands by the article on Kilmer.

But then again this is the same magazine that considers both Missy Elliot and Britney Spears rock. 

The controversy over the article heated up last week when New Mexico state Sen. Phil Griego publically called Kilmer out onto the carpet over the comments in Rolling Stone that also had the actor saying "80 percent of the people in my county are drunk." 

Last Thursday (Oct 9), New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson tried to bring peace between the actor and the state senator by inviting both to dinner to hash things out. Griego declined the invitation citing health problems. 

However, Kilmer and the governor did take the opportunity to discuss bringing more film projects to the state and afterwards Richardson said Kilmer was a "great New Mexican."

Kilmer is currently promoting his new film "Wonderland," on which he portrays porn legend John Holmes. That film opens across North America this Friday.