NJ Cardinal Asks Gun Owners To 'Set Aside' 2nd Amendment Rights

NEWARK, NJ — Laws and rules are necessary in a civilized society. But when it comes to stopping gun violence – like many of life’s more complicated issues – you just can’t legislate morality, a religious leader in North Jersey says.

Joseph Tobin, the archbishop of Newark, recently put out a statement that he acknowledged is likely “challenging and controversial,” asking New Jersey gun owners to voluntarily forgo their Second Amendment rights in the name of peace.

“Gun violence has become so prevalent that it risks becoming commonplace, and all of us are in danger of becoming indifferent to what is one of the most serious threats to our society (neighborhoods, local communities and our nation as a whole),” Tobin wrote.

The archbishop said he strongly agrees with a call from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to ban assault weapons and control gun sales. But that isn’t enough, he added.

“Legislation and regulations are absolutely necessary, but they are not sufficient,” Tobin said. “Like all life issues, when it comes to the prevention of gun violence, we cannot legislate morality. However, we can, and must, regulate our behavior in order to protect the vulnerable and ensure the common good. This is why reasonable licensing of all gun purchases, and strict limitations on access to weapons whose purpose is clearly of a military nature, are so important.”

“It's true that we have a Second Amendment right to bear arms, but rights always involve responsibilities—in this case, the responsibility to protect the innocent and to secure public safety and good order,” he continued.

Tobin said that – in addition to “prayer and work” and advocacy against gun violence – he is calling for “voluntary self-restraint” when it comes to the right to own a firearm.

According to the archbishop:

“This is perhaps the most challenging and controversial proposal, but I honestly believe it is the best thing we can do to change the culture of violence that threatens us today. Let's voluntarily set aside our rights in order to witness the truth that only peace, and never violence, is the way to build a free society that is lived concretely in our homes, our neighborhoods, our communities, our nation and our world. This requires us to acknowledge that we are all sisters and brothers in one human family and that we have a responsibility to listen to one another, to respect everyone regardless of our differences and disagreements, and to work together to build a better, safer, more peaceful world.”

“The voluntary self-restraint that I am calling for will not solve the problem of gun violence all by itself, but it can help us change our culture from one that is obsessively focused on individuals' rights to a society dedicated to ensuring the common good,” Tobin concluded.

The Archdiocese of Newark serves an estimated 1.3 million Catholic residents in Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties.

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Tobin’s proposal saw some resistance from online commenters. As seen on social media:

• “Tobin’s third proposal (‘Let’s voluntarily set aside our rights’) will result in what the NRA predicted long ago: ‘When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.’”
• “With all respect, your excellency – this is not the correct path or the path of safety. Kindly reconsider.”
• “With all due respect, it’s takes like this that rub a lot of Catholics the wrong way. I can’t have a gun, because someone else misuses a gun? No. You’re way off base on this one. I know Newark’s a shooting gallery, but that has nothing to do with me.”

The NRA tweeted about Tobin’s proposal, which also inspired some heated comments. As seen online:

• “It amazes me that a man whose very life is dedicated to humanity can have such a spectacularly mistaken view of human nature.”
• “Why doesn't he just ask people to voluntarily give up violence? Guns aren't the opposite of peace.”
• “Is the Vatican guarded by arms? Why are the religious institutions always so predictably hypocritical? Is this the peace that is offered?”
• “Not for this Catholic, that's for damn sure!”

“As a Catholic and addressing a cardinal within my church, I will be respectful,” one commenter wrote. They continued:

“The government and anti-gun aka anti-#SecondAmendment are targeting law abiding gun owners who primarily use their weapons for self-protection and hunting. It does nothing to address the criminals, Gangs like #MS13 who operate without impunity in our country using illegal guns. What about the #DrugCartels at our #SouthernBorder who also use illegal weapons? Many ranchers take full advantage of their Second Amendment rights in order to protect their lives and property. What peace will they have if they are told to give up their protective weapons? None. We don't live in a [utopian] society where everything is peaceful. And I think telling legal gun owners to give up their weapons is very dangerous. I don't know if you still officiate at Catholic Requiem Masses. But how many of these funeral Masses will be said for defenseless people who were murdered and had to give up their gun? Please think all of this through, Cardinal Tobin.”

However, the archbishop’s proposal also earned a thumbs-up from other social media users.

“You won’t see me agreeing with the Catholic clergy on much, but I am pleased to see Tobin’s statement,” one person commented on Twitter.

“Finally, some leadership on the issue of gun violence from one among the USCCB,” another person tweeted. “Thank you, Cardinal Tobin. May your message catch fire among your brother bishops and inspire them to collective action beyond only ‘thoughts and prayers!’”

Tobin’s recent stance on Second Amendment rights and gun violence isn’t the first time he’s taken a political stance on hot-button issues. He has also spoken in support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program – which offers deportation protection to eligible young adults brought to the U.S. as children – criticizing the administration of former president Donald Trump along the way.

Last year, Tobin called for people to “reject war as a political solution” amid the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

• See Related: New Jersey Archbishop Decries DACA Decision, Supports Immigrants
• See Related: NJ Cardinal On Ukraine-Russia: 'Reject War As Political Solution'

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