U.S. Senator Calls on Federal Government to Allow Gun Rights for Cannabis Consumers

U.S. Senator Calls on Federal Government to Allow Gun Rights for Cannabis Consumers

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is calling on the federal government to allow those who possess and use cannabis legally under their state’s law to possess firearms without the fear of federal persecution.

Murkowski actually opposed the initiative that legalized cannabis in Alaska, but now that her constituents have spoken, she’s doing what a lawmaker should do and is representing their interests. Murkowski feels that if someone is consuming cannabis legally, whether it in Alaska or another legal state like Colorado, they shouldn’t have additional restrictions placed on their gun rights.

According to a letter Murkowski sent to the Department of Justice last month, she believes that denying Americans their personal Second Amendment right to possess firearms “for mere use of marijuana pursuant to state law” is “arbitrarily overbroad and should be narrowed”.

Murkowski is calling on the Department of Justice to review the law that disallows legal cannabis consumers from possessing firearms, stating; “In my judgement the disqualification of an entire class of marijuana users acting consistent with state law from possessing any firearm merits a view of federal legal policy… Without such a review I fear that otherwise law abiding citizens will choose to answer the marijuana use question on Form 4473 either they believe their use is fully lawful or because they believe marijuana use consistent with state law should not subject them to a firearms disability.

In either case they would be potentially exposed to criminal liability for false statements.”