Guns for Stoners

If you came upon someone on the street who was smoking pot and clearly stoned, how would you feel if they were handed a loaded gun?  Do you think that person would have sound judgment, enough to handle a lethal weapon?  Would they have good aim?  Would you feel  safer? 

I know I wouldn't. 

But the Oregon Supreme Court disagrees.  Earlier this week they ruled that people with medical marijuana permits can be issued concealed carry permits, too.

From an article in the Register-Guard:

The ruling upheld previous decisions by the Oregon Court of Appeals and circuit court that determined a federal law barring criminals and drug addicts from buying firearms does not excuse sheriffs from issuing concealed weapons permits to people who hold medical marijuana cards and otherwise qualify.

"We hold that the Federal Gun Control Act does not pre-empt the state's concealed handgun licensing statute and, therefore, the sheriffs must issue (or renew) the requested licenses," Chief Justice Paul De Muniz wrote in the ruling issued in Salem.

Cynthia Willis, one of four plaintiffs, welcomed the ruling.

"I feel like a big girl now," Willis said. "I feel like a real human being now, not just a source of revenue to the county."

The article goes on to explain that the plaintiff, Willis, "volunteers at a Medford smoke shop that helps medical marijuana patients find growers, and teaches how to get the most medical benefit from the pound-and-a-half of pot that card carriers are allowed to possess."

Honestly, I don't have too much of a problem with medical marijuana.  Like a majority of Oregonians, I feel it helps alleviate a variety of serious medical symptoms and is less damaging to society than alcohol or even cigarettes.

However, I firmly believe that guns should not be possessed by people who are using mind-altering drugs, whether they are legal or not.  This goes for alcohol, too.  Sadly, there is no law against them owning guns in this country simply for that reason, unless the drugs are illegal and they have been convicted of such crimes.  This ruling by the Oregon Supreme Court is a slap in the face of common sense.

Sure, I can see the coming argument.  You may say that medical marijuana users aren't your typical junky.  They are likely only to use their drug in their home, and are less likely to go out of the home while high. 

I would counter by saying that a gun in the home in their hands isn't any more safe than on the streets.  And there is nothing preventing them from walking out of the home, armed and stoned.

But consider also THIS article just the day after the previous one.  From the article:

Oregon's medical marijuana law provides a safe-haven for large-scale drug production and trafficking operations, law enforcement officials told state lawmakers Thursday in testimony supporting a proposed overhaul of the system.

and

Critics say the professional growers can cultivate massive marijuana plants that are each capable of producing dozens of pounds of pot. That creates a significant excess beyond the 1½ pounds a patient is eligible to possess, and some growers sell their surplus on the black market. Designated "caregivers" are allowed to possess the marijuana designated for patients in their care, so becoming a caregiver for 10 patients would give someone cover to transport 15 pounds of marijuana.

Now, I'm certain the vast majority of medical marijuana distributors and users are not criminals.  Still, some clearly are, according to law enforcement professionals who testified.  Thanks to the Oregon Supreme Court, they can now be legally armed in public, too.

Interestingly, there is also a bill written by the extremist group, Oregon Firearms Federation, and submitted by Representative Thatcher, their voicebox in the legislature, which proposes that anyone convicted of misdemeanor marijuana crimes (including non-medical marijuana) should be allowed to carry concealed as well.  House Bill 2789 was referred to the Judiciary Committee, last I knew, but isn't likely to get traction.  Still, it is disturbing to me that any leader would even propose such a heinous attack on common sense.   Never mind that those who are convicted of this crime likely have been convicted of other drug crimes, but I digress.  I call this the "Guns for Stoners" bill.  It's one of a number of very dangerous pro-gun bills introduced this year in Oregon.

I'm glad that the plaintiff mentioned earlier, Willis, feels "like a big girl now" or a "real human being" because the Oregon Supreme Court says she can pack heat and be stoned in public.  But I don't want to be anywhere near her if I could help it, and it doesn't give me any sort of sense of "liberty" knowing she is able to blow me away if she feels threatened in her mind-altered manner.


UPDATE (7/27/11):  The case is appealed by the Sheriff and heads to the U.S. Supreme Court:  http://www.kval.com/news/health/126264363.html.  Let's hope for a ruling in the Sheriff's favor.


UPDATE (1/10/12):  The Supreme Court refused to hear the case, thus letting stand the Oregon Appeals Court ruling allowing Oregonians with medical marijuana permits to be allowed concealed carry permits, as recognized by Oregon.  Of course, medical marijuana is still considered illegal at a federal level, as is the carrying of a gun by drug offenders.  So there is still gray area here.