"Many Colorado citizens legally hold a Concealed handgun permit and have medical prescriptions for narcotics or use alcohol in a recreational manner without surrendering their right to protect themselves," explains the Colorado Campaign for Equal Gun Rights. "We do not see a distinction between these scenarios and those who use marijuana in the same way."
People wishing to obtain a concealed handgun permit have to fill out an application form, one of the questions on which asks applicants, "Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana, or any depressant, stimulant, or narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?"
A directive issued by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in 2011 instructs licensees on the law regarding firearms sales and marijuana use, stating that because marijuana is defined as a controlled substance under Federal law, its users are prohibited without exception from possessing firearms.
The Washington Times reported earlier this month that the leaders of the campaign are trying to gather enough signatures to be able to get the question onto the ballot paper. Edgar Antillon told the paper that he saw the matter as a "freedom issue," and that his group needed another 86,105 signatures to ensure the initiative makes it to the voting booth.
