I have heard all of the arguments why Irish-Americans should not be able to own guns and find them to be nothing but bigoted drivel. It’s sadly amusing to me the way they all start, “I’m not prejudiced, but…” When someone starts a sentence that way you can bet the farm that the rest of the statement will be that person giving you an example of how they are prejudiced. As someone who knows and values the rights of all United States citizens, I can say as a matter of fact, and not opinion, that to deny any one group those rights is a violation of us all and nothing short of bigotry. When someone says, “I’m not prejudiced, but this particular group of Americans should not have these particular rights,” what they are really saying is, “I hate this particular group of Americans.” Make no mistake, to deny someone a right that everyone else has is hate. Period. There is no other word for it. There is no excuse for it. If you think that I should not be allowed to own a gun just because I am Irish you must hate Irish people.
There are a lot of folks claiming that this violation of my civil liberties is a matter of their religious rights. I understand their not wanting the Irish to bring guns into their churches for fear that the troubles of our motherland have followed us to the new world. No one wants to see a holy war on the streets of America between Irish Catholics and Irish Protestants. However, the people making this argument are misguided and ill-informed. Gun ownership is a civil right that can not be infringed upon by religious dogma. The teachings or opinions of a church should have absolutely zero effect on any laws in our society. Conversely, the rights of a church can not be infringed upon by the people or the government. If a specific church chooses not to allow the Irish to carry guns in their place of worship, that is their right to do so. Although I find it offensive (and, hopefully, so do you) the separation of church and state goes both ways. If it didn’t, then women could sue the Catholic church and force them to allow female priests. The first amendment actually gives religious institutions the right to discriminate in such a manner. I wouldn’t change that if I could. I don’t want to trample on their rights any more than I want them to trample on mine.
Remember that the constitution is for every American. Every right given to us in that sacred document is for ALL of us. Even if you are not Irish, or are just a little Irish, I would like to think that you do not support this current movement to have my rights stripped away. Please call or write your local congressperson or senator and tell them that you oppose any actions that would limit the rights of any group of Americans. If you do happen to be one of the folks calling for the elimination of the second amendment for Irish-Americans ask yourself a few questions. Whatever your ethnicity, what if people were calling for an end to YOUR specific rights? What if YOUR right to protect your home and family was being questioned? If they can do it to me, they can do it to you next.
“No one is free when others are oppressed.” - Author unknown
First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me
Martin Niemöller- concentration camp survivor