A music video was directed by Marc Webb and filmed in Los Angeles on June 6 , 2009 . It premiered on MySpace on Monday , June 22 , 2009 at midnight EDT . A shorter version of the video also exists , which is set to the radio edit of the song . It is the third Green Day video to feature touring guitarist Jason White performing with the band , following " Wake Me Up When September Ends " and " Working Class Hero " . He is also seen briefly in the music videos for " When I Come Around " and " Jesus of Suburbia " but he is not performing with the band . After spending the previous week at number 3 , the video peaked at number one on VH1 Top 20 Countdown on August 22 , 2009 and again on September 19 , 2009 . It also won Best Rock Video ( Green Day ) , Best Direction ( Marc Webb ) and Best Cinematography ( Jonathan Sela ) for the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards
2009 MTV Video Music Awards
2009 MTV Video Music Awards
21 Guns (song)