Obama with Calderon: US Shares Responsibility for Mexican Violence; Obama Offers Support to the 2nd Amendment

President Obama and Mexican President Calderon gave a joint statement following Calderon’s visit to Washington.  Among a host of topics were discussions about the border, cartel violence, and gun smuggling.  Asked a sightly off topic question, Obama today made what may be his first direct comments on the 2nd Amendment since taking office.  Responding to a Mexican reporter’s inquiry as to why he does not veto the 2nd amendment, President Obama pointed out a few things.  First he mentioned that the 2nd Amendment is part of the Constitution and that he is bound by the Constitution.   That statement alone carries a hefty dose of hypocrisy.  But Obama went on to say that he supports the 2nd Amendment as a law that guarantees US citizens the right to carry a firearm as protection, for hunting, and a host of other reasons.

Leaving the topic of the 2nd Amendment, the President mentioned that the US and Mexico share blame for the violence in Mexico.  When asked about whether or not he would push the government of Mexico to allow American agents to carry guns,  the President made a point of saying that we need to protect the sovereignty of Mexico and respect their laws.  No such statement was made by President Calderon about US sovereignty.  We already know that both Obama and Calderon do not respect the laws of Arizona.  Since Arizona drafted their immigration law to mirror federal immigration law, it can be said that neither leader respects the laws of the US.  Though the President used his words to support the sovereignty of Mexico, his actions in Arizona will serve to undermine the sovereignty of the United States.

Obama focused his answers and a considerable amount of  his prepared statement on plans to work with the Mexican government  to limit the flow of drugs coming into the US.  He also mentioned that all rail traffic going into Mexico would be checked for weapons.  Outside of the oft repeated call for comprehensive immigration reform, Obama did not mention illegal immigration.

President Calderon for his part thanked the President for his efforts in stopping guns from going south, but pointed out that other administrations have tried this as well and failed.  Calderon called for sealing the border using non intrusive technology.    His point was that the border can be tightened up in order to stop the flow of guns going south and drugs going north.  No mention was made of sealing the border against the flow of illegal immigrants.