White House Files Formal Response to Piers Morgan Petition

By Alex Weprin 

The White House has filed a formal response to the petition that wanted CNN host Piers Morgan to be deported back to his native Great Britain. More than 100,000 people signed the petition, which was filed after Morgan became outspoken regarding his support of gun control after the tragic shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.

In a comment posted on the White House petitions website, spokesperson Jay Carney says “Let’s not let arguments over the Constitution’s Second Amendment violate the spirit of its First.”

Let’s not let arguments over the Constitution’s Second Amendment violate the spirit of its First. President Obama believes that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to bear arms. However, the Constitution not only guarantees an individual right to bear arms, but also enshrines the freedom of speech and the freedom of the press — fundamental principles that are essential to our democracy. Americans may disagree on matters of public policy and express those disagreements vigorously, but no one should be punished by the government simply because he or she expressed a view on the Second Amendment — or any other matter of public concern.

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