ATF Memo Says Medical Marijuana Users Not Allowed to Buy Firearms
If you legally purchase, ingest, and enjoy marijuana, you are no longer allowed to purchase firearms. A recent ATF memo states that firearm dealers in states where medical marijuana is legal can no longer sell firearms or ammunition to registered users.
The new policy has come under fire from both marijuana and gun rights groups, saying that the ATF policy violates the second amendment rights of marijuana users.
Arthur Herbert, the ATF’s assistant director for enforcement programs and services, wrote in the memo:
“Any person who uses or is addicted to marijuana, regardless of whether his or her state has passed legislation authorizing marijuana use for medicinal purposes, is an unlawful user of, or addicted to a controlled substance, and is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition… There are no exceptions in federal law for marijuana purportedly used for medicinal purposes, even if such use is sanctioned by state law.”
Forbes reports that Federal firearm licensees, or FFLs, are not allowed to sell guns to anyone who checks ‘yes’ when asked if they are a controlled substance user. The memo also states that FFLs can’t sell guns to a person if they have ”reasonable cause to believe” that the person is a marijuana user.
Jon Svaren, a medical marijuana user and a 15-year Navy veteran who was honorably discharged in 2009, told the Great Falls tribune:
“To take away my Second Amendment rights is contrary to everything I’ve ever fought for, and contrary to every oath of enlistment I’ve taken.”
Marijuana advocates are also upset about the ATF’s memo. Kate Cholewa, a board member of the Montana Cannabis Industry Association, said:
“The cannabis issue has become representative of nation-wide concerns. Citizens are increasingly concerned that the government, rather than expressing the will of the citizens, now sees itself as separate from the citizens and is imposing their will upon the people.”
What do you think about the ATF’s memo? Should legal marijuana users lose their right to bear arms?
Tags : 2nd amendment, atf, firearms, marijuana, medical marijuana
Posted: September 29, 2011
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Sep 29, 2011
If it has become legal for those individuals then it should be respected as such.
Sep 29, 2011
This makes me so upset. Once again the government is attacking it's law abiding citizens. We take the proper steps to register for a medical card and now the government is using that shit against us. It's not different than any other douche-bag of a government.
Sep 29, 2011
….and yet if someone is using illegal drugs they could get a firearm as long as they don't get caught with the drugs. *I wonder why people fear big government.*
Sep 29, 2011
How are we as Medical Marijuana users any different than the next person? We aren't going to light up a joint and go murder someone. Some people just want protection just like any other normal citizen.
Sep 29, 2011
David Williams Exactly. Or you could even go further, you can get an illegal weapon and illegal drugs and avoid government all together. Registration is the best way to take peoples freedoms away
Sep 29, 2011
I actually get the technical reason of how they can do this, makes sense as it is a controlled substance and thats pretty unarguable by definition. But it makes no sense because then again so is just about every single damn medication my doctor could prescribe me for thousands of conditions.
Do those controlled substances remove my constitutional rights as well? Technically, will the ATF make a move in that direction, absolutely not. Agenda politics at its finest here people.
Sep 29, 2011
O why don't they just add who ever drinks alcohol can not buy a firearm too, what about people with tattoos, this is pure BOLOGNA, I am going to have fun watching this get striked down.
Sep 30, 2011
Blindly following the law is one great way towards fascism.
Sep 30, 2011
as soon as every single person who drinks any alcohol 2 or more times a week is refused at gun stores as well, then this will still be a violation of rights….
Sep 30, 2011
I agree!! I would rather be with a Marijuana smoker that has a weapon than a raging drunk.
Sep 30, 2011
I would like to know how Medical Marijuana is more of a crime than taking Oxycontin.. I know plenty of people that take other legal drugs and are useless while on them.
Sep 30, 2011
Well, anyone dumb enough to check "yes" on the box when asked if they use marijuana is probably not smart enough to be a gun owner. It's none of the governments business. I don't own guns though, but I am curious to know how many people that do own guns told the truth about their pot/alcohol use. probably a very small percent. I guess since the governemnt can not ban guns due to that pesky 2nd amendment, they are just going to keep adding more and more people to the pre-crime banned list.
Sep 30, 2011
I wasnt asked that question on my permit application.
Sep 30, 2011
THERE GETTING OUT OF HAND WITH THIS TRYING TO STOP IT IN ANY WAY THEY CAN. STOPING INDIVIDUALS FOR THERE AMENDMENT RIGHT THEY THEY NEED TO STOP THIS BULL SHIT AND GO AFTER THE REALLY BAD DRUGS STOP SENDING GUNS TO MEXICO THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO STOP ANY DRUGS FORM GETTING IN TO THE COUNTRY SO THERE TRYING TO STOP THE ONE THAT USE IT FOR MEDS. FOR TAKING THEM THEY HAVE NO RIGHT TO DO THIS THERE JUST THE FBI AND IF THERE NOT THE HE TO MAKE LAWS THERE HER TO GO BUY THEM JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE POP. THERE OUT OF THE PLACE ITS NOT THERE JOB TO MKE THE LAWS!
Dec 3, 2011
hi.. good day. iremember ur picture last 6years bcause u sent of message and picture. of my douther jonnafe pia