ATF: Until recreational cannabis is federally legalized, pot users cannot own guns

May 31, 2023
AggregatedNews
Federal, Gun Rights
2 Comments

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The federal agency that regulates the firearms industry sent an advisory on Tuesday warning that Minnesotans who use marijuana cannot legally own firearms, despite a new state law legalizing recreational use.

Marijuana for adults is now legal in 23 states and even more have medical cannabis programs. But it’s still a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law on par with LSD and heroin.

The St. Paul office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives noted that distinction. It means people who smoke weed or take marijuana edibles are “still federally defined as an ‘unlawful user’ of a controlled substance,” and therefore are “prohibited from shipping, transporting, receiving, or possessing firearms or ammunition,” the agency said in its release Tuesday.

“Until marijuana is legalized federally, firearms owners and possessors should be mindful that it remains federally illegal to mix marijuana with firearms and ammunition,” said Jeff Reed, ATF’s acting special agent in charge of the of the St. Paul field division.

That warning from the ATF is concerning for Second Amendment rights advocate Rob Doar, vice president of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus. He said he’s long been aware of the state-and-federal cannabis contradiction, whether it’s for medical or recreational use. [Read More @ CBS News]

This Post Has 2 Comments

pam says:

June 1, 2023 at 12:04 pm

Yea, cuz pot smokers are seriously irresponsible we can’t get anything done like ending prohibition. As long as the NRA is deep in political contributions and Hollywood is their marketing arm, this country will NEVER see responsible gun ownership regardless of the NRA telling pot smokers they can’t own a gun. Every time a gun kills someone a politicians advertises that if you can’t get a gun legally there are many other avenues to get a gun when you want one, so why should we expect people to be responsible gun owners. Pot smokers, if you want a gun just ask your legislator where you can get one illegally, they can tell you and even encourage you’ll be able to find one.

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rc says:

June 1, 2023 at 3:08 pm

I’m curious as to how they are going to enforce this? Are they going to require a urine analysis in order to buy a gun? Good luck getting anyone to self admit something they know will stand in the way of what they want. Like hey ya im a stupid stoner too stupid stoned to deny my marijuana usage in order to buy this gun.

Thank god they think so little of us and underestimate our intelligence.

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