Yesterday I heard a story on the news... it went something like this. A woman in Oregon has filled a lawsuit because she is in jeopardy of losing her weapons permit (and weapon). Why? Because she has been legally authorized to use Marijuana for medicinal reasons. Someone in Oregon has decided that since she will be smoking pot she should no longer be permitted to have a weapon. WHAT!!!??? Are you kidding me?
I know there are people who are in 100% agreement with this line of thinking, however, I am not one of those people. Let me explain why. Once upon a time, there was this group of men. They were men who were trying to establish a place where all people could live in peace without fear of the government being too intrusive or controlling. They became known as the Founding Fathers. So one afternoon these men drafted a statement which we now know as the United States Constitution. The Constitution was adopted on September 17, 1787, by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and ratified by conventions in each U.S. state in the name of "The People". The Constitution has been amended twenty-seven times; the first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights and were ratified December 15, 1791.
I know there are people who are in 100% agreement with this line of thinking, however, I am not one of those people. Let me explain why. Once upon a time, there was this group of men. They were men who were trying to establish a place where all people could live in peace without fear of the government being too intrusive or controlling. They became known as the Founding Fathers. So one afternoon these men drafted a statement which we now know as the United States Constitution. The Constitution was adopted on September 17, 1787, by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and ratified by conventions in each U.S. state in the name of "The People". The Constitution has been amended twenty-seven times; the first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights and were ratified December 15, 1791.
Amendment II**A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.**
Obviously, this is my first argument. We are protected by the Constitution. This woman is a law abiding citizen and her Constitutional rights should not be jeopardized.
The argument being made was that if the woman was smoking pot her judgement would become an issue and something tragic could occur. Here is my question. If you are on Oxycontin, Demerol, Zoloft, Lexapro, or any other mind altering prescription drug, should you also be required to relinquish your firearm? Something tragic could happen while taking these medications as well, couldn't it?
And hey, while we're at it, if you ever drink alcohol you shouldn't have a weapon either, regardless of how much or how often you may have been drinking.
Of course we've never heard of any tragic events that were the result of someone using illegal drugs while in possession of a gun.Are you following what I'm getting at? If you are going to say that a person who is using a LEGAL substance (in this case Marijuana, which is legal for medicinal purposes in the state where this woman lives) should lose her weapon, then everyone everywhere should have to turn in their weapons as well. To argue that is totally ludicrous, not to mention illegal in and of itself (remember that little document called the Constitution).
To make such a blanket judgement about someone keeping a permit/and or weapon based on a legal substance is irresponsible and too easy for those trying to bypass the Constitutional rights of American citizens. I really believe this woman has a justified reason to file a lawsuit. I also believe she should and will prevail.
No comments:
Post a Comment