Gun Rights For Legal Immigrants

You’ve heard the expression “strange bedfellows”? Nothing I can think of could be any closer to that than the story of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Rifle Association (NRA). For the most part, the ACLU could be considered to be a liberal organization and some of their tactics, well they are questionable, at best. The NRA could be considered a conservative organization, without a doubt. The strange bedfellows expression comes into play because of a recent lawsuit filed by the ACLU on the behalf of Wayne Smith, who is a citizen of the U.K., but immigrated legally to the United States 30 years ago and resides in South Dakota. This lawsuit is aimed at restoring the right to carry a concealed weapon to Smith, who lost that right in July, when his request to renew his permit was denied.

At issue is the South Dakota law that governs concealed weapons permits. In 2002, the state legislature amended the law, inserting a requirement that permit holders had to be a citizen of the United States. Even though Smith has held a permit and carried a concealed weapon for years, he no longer has that right, because of the amendment to the law. On the surface, one could easily question why a legal resident, who has no criminal background, could be denied the rights afforded by the 2nd Amendment. As I read the article from Fox News, that was the first question that came up in my mind. On the other hand, one has to wonder why Wayne Smith hasn’t became a citizen, after having lived 30 years in our country. This is not a cut and dried issue, to say the least.

There are those who are already questioning the motives of the ACLU, saying they are trying to open the door to illegal immigrants carrying concealed weapons. Here is what the NRA spokesman had to say, followed by the Gun Owners of America executive director.

“If you’re a law abiding citizen and you’re allowed to buy a gun you should be allowed to carry it to defend yourself,” NRA spokesman Andrew Arulananda told FoxNews.com. “Just because you’re not a us citizen doesn’t mean that you’re somehow to immune to crime outside your home.”

But Gun Owners of America Executive Director Larry Pratt says the state has every right to restrict conceal and carry permits to citizens.

“If the guy wants to enjoy the full benefit of residing in the United States become a citizen. He’s been here for 30 years what’s he waiting for?,” Pratt told FoxNews.com.

Pratt says the only reason the ACLU brought the suit is to pave the way for illegal aliens to have conceal carry permits.

“They want to make it so illegal aliens have the same rights as everybody else…every little bit chipping away,” he said.

I can’t say what motive the ACLU has for bringing this suit. The Executive Director of ACLU of South Dakota Robert Doody says he would not have brought the suit, had Smith been in the country illegally, saying the Constitution applies very differently to legal immigrants, as compared to illegal immigrants. My first inclination would be to agree with the ACLU that Wayne Smith’s right to carry a concealed weapon should be covered by the 2nd Amendment. At the same time, judging by some of their past actions, I have to wonder if the ACLU doesn’t have an ulterior motive.

What are your thoughts on this? Should the 2nd Amendment apply to legal immigrants?