About Stoners with Guns!
Why was Stoners with Guns! created?
Because cannabis is now legal in some form in the majority of US states and territories, but responsible cannabis consumers are still denied their 2nd Amendment rights. Under current federal law, if you are a consumer of state-legal cannabis you would be denied purchase of a firearm if you answered "YES" to Question 11e on ATF Form 4473. Question 11e reads as follows:
- Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?
This question is followed by a warning to cannabis consumers:
- Warning: The use or possession of marijuana remains unlawful under Federal law regardless of whether it has been legalized or decriminalized for medicinal or recreational purposes in the state where you reside.
If you are a state-legal cannabis consumer and answer "NO" to Question 11e and receive a firearm, you would subject to felony prosecution for violating 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3) of the Gun Control Act of 1968. Other state and federal laws also deny 2nd Amendment rights to responsible cannabis consumers as well--we will be adding these to the site for your reference as volunteer time allows. In summary though, you cannot be both a cannabis consumer and lawful firearm-owner, even if you live in a jurisdiction where cannabis is lawful under state and local laws.
It's well past time for responsible, adult cannabis users to demand their 2nd Amendment rights.
But why would we want "Stoners with Guns"? Isn't that dangerous? Wouldn't they just hurt themselves and others?
The overwhelming majority of legal cannabis consumers, like most alcohol consumers, are responsible adults who already understand that handling any weapon in an intoxicated state is a terrible idea. As such, you don't need to be any more concerned about responsible cannabis consumers than you are about any other gun owners.
But why now, in particular? Do we really want more guns on the streets?
Because adult cannabis consumers, especially POCs, marginalized communities and those with a criminal record because of the failed drug war, should have the right to protect their homes and families at these uncertain times, when armed white supremacists are taking to the streets and even storming state capitals. Unfortunately, while many law enforcement are well-intended public servants, some are decidedly not and may either abdicate their obligation to protect and serve marginalized communities and/or selectively enforce its monopoly on the use of force to allow far-right extremists to run amok. Since we can't wait for Congress to catch-up in time to protect us, or depend upon every single law enforcement officer to honor their oath, this site discusses self-defense options that are not legally defined as "firearms" per 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(3), which cannabis consumers are prohibited from possessing under federal and state laws. PLEASE NOTE HOWEVER, THIS SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE, JUST INFORMATION FOR YOUR REFERENCE. IF YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONSULT AN ATTORNEY BEFORE RELYING ENTIRELY ON THE CONTENT PRESENTED HERE. The ATF publishes a useful FAQ on its website, which we encourage you to review.
This site is also intended to showcase responsible cannabis consumers using crossbows, airguns and antique black powder guns recreationally and safely, to demonstrate that cannabis consumers are safety-minded and responsible, and thus absolutely deserving of the same 2nd Amendment rights as other adults.
But why call it "Stoners with Guns!" if you want to be taken seriously?
We're not actually "stoners" nor firearms-owners, so the title of the website is a bit of a misnomer. We provocatively named the site "Stoners With Guns!" to evoke the irrationality of the "Reefer Madness" crowd, and dispel their unwarranted hysteria through humor. We also know that if we'd named the site "Responsible Cannabis Users for 2nd Amendment Rights," the same Reefer Madness crew would still just refer to us as "Stoners with Guns! Stoners with Guns! Stoners with Guns!" anyway, so we proudly own their slurs up front to defang them.
But why you? Shouldn't this be left to the NRA?
Hell no. Because we also know not to expect the NRA to champion the rights of progressives, person-of-color and responsible cannabis consumers. We are our own best hope for change, so that cannabis consumers can soon exercise their 2nd Amendment right to own a firearm. That said, if you're a responsible cannabis consumer, please consider learning about the many progressive alternatives to the NRA, including the Liberal Gun Club, which also supports decriminalization of cannabis, restorative justice and removing unfair sentencing for minor drug crimes. Other groups you might consider the National African American Gun Association, the Huey P. Newton Gun Club, Armed Equality, the Socialist Rifle Association, and Redneck Revolt, among others. Check out these media accounts about them in the New York Times and The Guardian. Please note, membership in these organizations is usually limited to legal firearm-owners, which disqualifies responsible cannabis consumers from membership--but that's no reason not to support them.
Stay in Touch
If you're interested in advancing our mission, or contributing content, please contact johnbrown@stonerswithguns.org