Articles
Marijuana and the Right to Own a Gun
- Details
- Published on 20 June 2012
- Written by Rob Ryan
Should pot smokers have the right to posses a firearm? Last year a Ohio Supreme Court decision supported an Appeal Court ruling that said
convicted pot smokers can not have a gun. The Ohio Court of Appeals recently ruled that people with past drug convictions even minor misdemeanor marihuana possession have to give up their right to carry a gun even if they are a police officer.
NEWS: (National) Ohio Court Ruling Could Force Law Enforcement Officers Off the Force
Cincinnati Police Chief Tom Streicher is now checking his personnel records to remove any former pot smokers from the force. Others say that when these police officers were hired when these minor misdemenor offenses weren't even considered criminal.
Below is the actual law from the Ohio Revised Code section 2923.13-A-3
2923.13 Having weapons while under disability.
(A) Unless relieved from disability as provided in section 2923.14 of the Revised Code, no person shall knowingly acquire, have, carry, or use any firearm or dangerous ordnance, if any of the following apply:
(3) The person is under indictment for or has been convicted of any offense involving the illegal possession, use, sale, administration, distribution, or trafficking in any drug of abuse….
To quote the court's ruling “The Ohio Supreme Court has held that the drug-abuse offenses referred to in R.C. 2923.13(A)(3) .. includes conduct classified as a minor misdemeanor.” Furthermore the court went on ”We hold that a conviction for a minor-misdemeanor violation of R.C. 2925.11 creates a disability prohibiting the possession of a firearm or dangerous ordnance,”
Ohio Supreme Court Rulling Reference: http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/1/2010/2010-ohio-543.pdf
Now the question is how many hard working regular Americans citizens here in Ohio's will have to give up their guns because of a minor misdemeanor. Now is time for NORML gun owners to become members of Gun Owners of America or the NRA and enlist them in our struggle to legalize marijuana. Please use the CONTACT US menu if you want to get involved and return the right of gun ownership. Marijuana smokers are not prone to violence and deserve the right to own a gun just like any other American.
