Legalized Marijuana and Gun Ownership in Washington State

[mikeb302000]

Last edited Wed Oct 24, 2012, 01:37 AM - Edit history (1)

The Examiner reports

If Evergreen State voters pass a ballot measure to legalize marijuana, as currently appears likely, that doesn’t mean pot smokers will be legally able to buy or possess firearms, Examiner has learned.

A source with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Washington, D.C. Friday confirmed what had been explained in a Sept., 21, 2011 letter from Arthur Herbert, assistant director for enforcement programs and services to firearms retailers regarding gun purchases by medical marijuana patients. This column discussed the issue then, and as the pot vote looms, Washington State gun owners need to know they cannot get stoned and head for the gun range or hunting camp if voters approve Initiative 502.

It's hard to imagine a more irresponsible activity for gun owners than smoking pot, well, other than drinking alcohol, that is. Getting loaded has no place in the life of the responsible gun owner. The gun-rights folks love to talk about situational awareness and perpetual readiness. How can getting high possibly fit into that?

What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.
Cross posted at Mikeb302000

[Kennah]

1. Pot and driving also don't mix, but there's nothing wrong with separating them out

[gejohnston]

2. aside from playing on a steriotype

of getting loaded on the way to hunting camp, which is what your rant is based on I fail to see you point. As the ATF pointed out, until federal pot prohibition ends and the Gun Control Act is amended, it will remain a federal crime for pot smokers to possess firearms.

BTW, San Antonio has over a million people, they are all city slickers.

[holdencaufield]

4. You say that like it's a bad thing...?

[MFM008]

5. yea well i voted for all of them.

[ileus]

6. No drugs and never drink.

Remember the gun rights folks you mention in your last few sentences live the life. They've decided to make society a better place, to protect themselves and their families. It's a 24/7 responsibility.

The pot smokers you're speaking of are probably the same type of gun owners that leave loaded handguns out for kids to find. They probably only have firearms around to protect their stash.


Stay safe my friends...

[Db Owen97]

23. Actually....

There have been cases of people that are perscribed Med. Marijuana that are targeted by the criminal element.

*Think about it in the context of a person that is on perscribed pharma meds being attacked and robbed for their medicine by the same criminal element,would you be in favor of someone that has to use pain killers,being disarmed due to medicinal needs?*

[Eleanors38]

7. When is the thread on syphillis and guns? nt

[4th law of robotics]

8. I'm sure there were literally millions of people

in Washington State were thought it was perfectly legal to become mentally incapacitated and operate a firearm *and* were eager to do exactly that.

Totally.

[petronius]

9. Do you think medical marijuana users walk around stoned and incapacitated 24/7?

Any more than people who consume alcohol are perpetually intoxicated?

Shooting and drugs/alcohol don't mix, just like drugs/alcohol don't mix with lots of other activities, but it makes no sense that participation in those activities is incompatible with consuming alcohol (or anything else) at other times and places.

I think it's the federal law that is out of step here - marijuana should be legal at all levels, just like alcohol, without any 'medical' qualification...

[Eleanors38]

10. Perhaps he favors continued prohibition of drugs. nt

[mikeb302000]

17. Actually I favor the legalization of drugs.

But, I find it difficult to see how drug users and drinkers can safely own and operate firearms.

[Eleanors38]

22. They can't. But the law treats alcohol users and drug users differently, regarding gun acquisition.

Do you favor this continued discrepancy? On edit, neither substance should have a bearing on gun ownership, only use. Do you agree with this.

[Glaug-Eldare]

24. Can drinkers be trusted to raise children?

As always, you'll stretch for any excuse whatsoever. Your position has nothing to do, whatsoever, with any actual dangers from alcohol or drug abuse. All it is is a weak argument to deny the RKBA to an enormous population. Here's a tip, mike -- it's less obvious when you take away civil rights a little at a time. Don't target hundreds of millions of people at the same time.

[Ashgrey77]

11. Cannabis does not intoxicate anything at all like alcohol.

It's not even remotely as strong as alcohol or say a harder drug like morphine, heroin, etc.

[mikeb302000]

18. So, being stoned on pot and gun owership are compatible? nt

[holdencaufield]

19. Absolutely!

Just like being drunk and car OWNERSHIP are fully compatible -- just try not to operate either while under the influence.

[gejohnston]

20. Has your MP introduced a bill to

revoke the gun license of anyone who has wine with dinner? Always but the Beretta in the safe, and the keys to your Vespa/Fiat away before having Merlot with your pizza.

[holdencaufield]

21. If they order red wine with fish ...

... absolutely! Anyone with that little common sense should NEVER be allowed access to firearms.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

12. oh.good.lord.

double face/palm.

[Glaug-Eldare]

13. I'd like to see mikeb30200 produce a documentary

on "A Day in the Life of a Gun Owner."

The armed and dangerous drunkard scrambles two eggs, no doubt fantasizing about going on a killing spree. As he drinks his coffee, you can just watch his eyes and see the caffeine hit his brain, all but unleashing his frustrations on the world in a drug-induced rampage. Due to a loophole in state law, this maniac is permitted to own and operate a motor vehicle, as we can see. Who knows how many will die on the road today because of him?

[holdencaufield]

14. And THAT ...

... is why I don't drink coffee.

[PavePusher]

15. Weird....

I'm pretty much willing to kill anyone who gets between me and the kettle in the morning...

[Atypical Liberal]

16. It is currently a crime and will remain a crime to use a firearm while under the influence.

This is a tempest in a teapot.

There is no reason why firearm owners cannot use recreational drugs, just as anyone else can. This does not mean it should be allowed to use firearms and recreational drugs at the same time, and no one is advocating such.