Pubdate: Tue, 23 Dec 2014
Source: Daily Mail (UK)
Copyright: 2014 Associated Newspapers Ltd
Contact:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/108
Note: by The Associated Press

COLORADO CONSIDERS LETTING POT SMOKERS CARRY CONCEALED GUNS BECAUSE
'DRUNK PEOPLE CAN'

Colorado was the first state to legalize recreational marijuana sales.
Now the state's voters may consider a ballot measure to allow pot
smokers to carry a concealed firearm.

The 'Colorado Campaign for Equal Gun Rights' is working to put a
question on the November 2016 ballot to have Colorado ignore
guidelines from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives about firearms and pot.

The measure would change state law to prevent sheriffs from denying
concealed carry permits because of marijuana use. It's a new frontier
in the marijuana wars, and one that has divided gun-rights activists.

'It's just ridiculous,' said Edgar Antillon, one of the campaign
organizers, who argues that firearms aren't kept from alcohol drinkers.

'Somebody can get extremely drunk - Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and all
week if they want - and they can still get a concealed carry permit.'

He said he and his campaign partner, Isaac Chase, who run a firearm
training business called 'Guns For Everyone,' are reaching out to gun
rights groups for support, including those involved in last year's
recall of two state senators who supported stricter firearm laws.

Colorado organizers need more than 86,100 signatures to send the
question to voters, and it's unclear whether Antillon's campaign will
get enough support to launch.

The campaign would put Colorado again in direct conflict with federal
guidelines about the drug.

In 2011, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
sent states a directive to keep guns away from marijuana users.

Earlier this year, Democratic Sen. John Walsh of Montana tried to
change that, suggesting an amendment to bar federal prosecution of
medical marijuana patients who own firearms. The amendment failed.

The matter divides gun enthusiasts. The president of the Colorado
State Shooting Association said his members would oppose letting pot
users carry guns.

'Federal law prohibits the possession and use of marijuana and its
derivatives, and therefore its possession and use is incompatible with
legal, responsible firearms ownership,' said Tony Fabian, president of
the Colorado State Shooting Association.

The County Sheriffs of Colorado are lining up against the idea,
too.

But it's an open debate whether marijuana-using gun owners are more
dangerous than others - or even how many people lose gun rights over
pot.

Colorado keeps no data on the question. And the Colorado Bureau of
Investigation, which runs background checks for applicants and gun
buyers, doesn't track how many are denied concealed carry permits
because of pot. Neither does the County Sheriffs of Colorado.

People are asked, under oath, 14 questions on Colorado's concealed
carry application, including whether the person has a restraining
order, has been convicted of a felony, or has been treated for
alcoholism within the past 10 years.

They're also asked if they're 'an unlawful user of' marijuana 'or any
other controlled substance.' The application is processed by county
sheriffs.

The conflict has surfaced in other states that allow medical or
recreational marijuana use, including Washington and Oregon.

In Washington state, forms for concealed weapons permits also ask if
someone is an "unlawful user" of marijuana, without differentiating
between state or federal law.

In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from an
Oregon sheriff who had been prohibited from denying a concealed
handgun license to a medical marijuana user. The decision meant the
woman and other medical marijuana cardholders could obtain concealed
handgun licenses.

Antillon, whose company provides the firearm training required for
concealed carry applicants, said several students have told him
they've been denied a permit because they use marijuana, either
medically or recreationally. He said it's unjust that marijuana users
are being 'punished and can't defend their lives.'

He argues that marijuana users can also be responsible firearm
owners.

'It's going to be that initial battle of educating people. The
challenge is people thinking that we're allowing people who are high
to possess handguns,' he said.  
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D