WASHINGTON (WICS/WCCU) — Several Republicans in Washington, D.C. — including U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-IL-13 — are pushing for a bill that would allow marijuana users to purchase guns in states where marijuana is legal.
"There's no reason somebody who uses marijuana responsibly and legally should be barred from purchasing a firearm, we're past that," Guns Save Life Executive Director John Boch said.
Boch said the push for the change is all about following the Constitution.
"We shouldn't be removing the constitutional rights of people to keep and bear arms just because they're using a drug or recreational marijuana," Boch said.
A person can possess a gun and use marijuana legally.
However, marijuana users cannot purchase a firearm because marijuana use is not federally legal.
The bill takes a look at this question on the Firearms Transaction Record:
"Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?"
This new bill would allow those who live in states where marijuana is legal to buy a firearm even if they use marijuana.
Boch said it isn't fair to make people choose one option over the other.
"People have to choose, 'Do I want to lie on this form and face federal prison time, or do I want to not purchase a gun today?'" Boch said. "And obviously, it gets in the way of guns being purchased by individuals who are doing nothing illegal under state law."
The gun advocate said many gun users have come around to the use of marijuana, as long as it is being done safely.
“We shouldn’t take away their right to vote just because they are smoking marijuana; why should we take away their right to own a gun, or the right to worship in a church of their so choosing," Boch said. "This is a basic, fundamental constitutional rights issue."
Boch believes this will likely pass due to Republican support, but believes federal legalization of marijuana is on the way.
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