White House: 2nd amendment does not trump 1st in Piers Morgan deportation

The White House has responded to calls to deport CNN talk show host Piers Morgan.

The petition has already garnered over 100,000 signatures asking for the British-born host to be deported from the United States.

Signatures were being collected after Morgan voiced support for stricter gun control rules after the shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school.

The White House has said that it will respond to any petitions that get more than 25,000 signatures.

More from GlobalPost: Obama may take 'executive action' over gun control, says Biden

In a web memo, White House spokesperson Jay Carney wrote:

“Let’s not let arguments over the Constitution’s Second Amendment violate the spirit of its First,” Carney wrote.

“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."

He continued: “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.”

Morgan's comments have also earned him the ire of shock jock and conspiracy monger, Alex Jones.

Jones was a guest on Morgan's program Sunday and berated the host, even challenging him to a fight.

In one now oft-quoted scream, Jones told Morgan: "1776 Will Commence Again If You Try to Take Our Firearms!"

More from GlobalPost: '1776 will commence again,' Alex Jones tells Piers Morgan on guns (VIDEO)