A petition was posted on White House's We the People forum asking for CNN host Piers Morgan to be deported back to England. The forum was created by gun-ownership supporters after Morgan's support of increased gun control after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connectcut.
The petition was created by American radio host Alex Jones who Morgan had an on-air debate about gun control with.
The Obama administration issued a response saying that the First Amendment allows Morgan to express his opinion.
White House press secretary Jay Carney said according to E! News, "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."
Over 100,000 signed virtually the petition to deport Morgan back to his home of England. Obama said in a videotaped statement that the United States "has a strong tradition of gun ownership that's been handed down from generation to generation. And the fact is, most gun owners in America are responsible. They buy them legally and they use them safely," said the commander in chief. "And it's encouraging that many gun owners have stepped up to say there are steps we can take to prevent more tragedies like the one in Newtown, steps that both protect our rights and protect our kids."
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