GUNS AND POT

The sheriffs of Jackson and Washington counties have argued before the
Oregon Court of Appeals that they should not have to give concealed
handgun licenses to otherwise qualified citizens who hold medical
marijuana cards. Their case is not convincing.

They claim they are in a bind because of the federal law against
marijuana, medical or otherwise. The sheriffs ought to remember who
votes for them and who pays them - and it's NOT the federal government.

Further, only recently the same sheriffs made the valid point - in
regard to a proposed change in public records law, a change that
failed to get through the 2009 legislature - that people often get
those licenses because they have security concerns. Seems like of all
the people in Oregon, medical pot permit holders may have more need of
personal security and protection than most.

Let's hope the court quickly confirms that the sheriffs have no
grounds to withhold handgun licenses from the users of medical pot.