Not sure of they dynamics, or even if PA allows medicinal marijuana (yet).

This morning on the news they were saying that anyone who was eligible for medical marijuana, might have to get rid of their firearms. Something about PA State Police can't enforce Federal Law.

My question is this, and I have no dog in the fight.

Does this apply to entire households? Just thinking out loud, if a medicinal marijuana user wants to keep their firearms, could they just sell them to a husband/wife, child, friend, or relative? They are no longer registered to him/her. But are they allowed to be in the house?

Just curious...

Are guns registered in PA? How does the PA state police know if, and how many, guns a person owns?

No clue.

Just interested in how this all works out.

If the med mj is prohibiting like a felony is prohibiting I imagine the guns could stay in the same house if the prohibited person had no access to them. No access means no access. Not a wink that they won't go into the room where the gun is in a nightstand drawer or an open or unlocked safe. The general good advice is that prohibited people and guns don't mix and one or the other needs to be gone from the residence. Enforcement is of course a different issue.

To answer TXJIM, no, firearms are not registered in PA.

FWIW, and I just heard this from a state senator's mouth, this is a State Police proclamation and they said or cleared nothing with the legislature.

It may not be as clear cut going forward as the Staties unilaterally decided it should be.

Here's a link to latest local story. PA State Police are going to be following federal law. The states getting into the weed / or medical weed issue is similar to sanctuary status in that they disagree with federal law. Though the reasons vary, this state vs federal thing is going to get interesting in the next few years.

Medical marijuana use prohibits gun ownership, state police say

HARRISBURG, Pa. —
State police have a message for anyone who holds a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania – you’re not allowed to own a gun.

While medical marijuana is legal in Pennsylvania, under federal law it is not. And as such, the drug is viewed as an illegal substance. Under federal law, using illegal drugs prohibits an individual from purchasing or possessing a firearm.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) issued a statement to all federal firearms licensees in 2011, which said in part, “Any person who uses or is addicted to marijuana, regardless of whether his or her State has passed legislation authorizing marijuana use for medicinal purposes, is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance, and is prohibited by Federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.”

Pennsylvania State Police posted the following notices to holders of medical marijuana cards in the state:

- It is unlawful for you to attempt to purchase a firearm under Federal law and you will be denied during your Pennsylvania State Police background check, due to prohibitions under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3).

- It is unlawful for you to keep possession of any firearms which you owned or had in your possession prior to obtaining a Medical Marijuana Card, and you should consult an attorney about the best way to dispose of your firearms. Again, this is due to prohibitions under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3).

- It is also unlawful for you to apply for, possess or renew a Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearm (LTC), because you are “[a]n individual who is prohibited from possessing or acquiring a firearm under the statutes of the United States.” (see above). The sheriff should not process your application if you truthfully indicate to the sheriff that you are the holder of a Medical Marijuana Card. Additionally, you will be denied during the Pennsylvania State Police background check, which occurs as part of the LTC application or renewal process.

WGAL is following this story. Stay with News 8 for updates.