Jacob Bell
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The Oregon Supreme Court today debated whether Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winters has the right to deny a concealed weapons permit to a Medford woman with a medical marijuana card.
Appearing before almost 200 students, the seven justices convened at Willamette University College of Law in Salem and focused on whether an Oregon statute blocks the intent of the federal Gun Control Act of 1968.
The patient, Cynthia Willis, currently has a concealed weapons license, which the sheriff gave her after he lost the case in the Oregon Court of Appeals. Winters, along with the sheriff in Washington County, appealed the case to the Supreme Court.
Attorneys from both sides presented their case, responding to questions from the justices.
Willis said she and Winters both had hoped the Legislature would clear up the legal ambiguity surrounding the Oregon statute spelling out the requirements for a concealed weapon.
"Sheriff Winters and I both wanted this, but the Legislature wouldn't do it, so we're relying on this," she said.
Sheriff Sgt. Bob Grantland said Winters had other obligations and couldn't attend the hearing.
Grantland said he felt the proceedings went well.
"It is an important legal issue, and we are lucky to have these people deciding that," he said.
Winters denied Willis' gun permit in 2008, arguing that granting the permit would violate federal laws prohibiting drug users from legally possessing guns.
Willis so far has won every legal battle against Winters, with the Jackson County Circuit Court and the Oregon Court of Appeals siding with her last year.
Willis volunteers with Patient Services, a nonprofit group that helps people obtain medical marijuana cards.
The decision by the state Supreme Court to hear the case is significant since the court takes only about 8 percent of cases appealed from the lower court.
News Hawk- GuitarMan313 420 MAGAZINE
Source: dailytidings.com
Author: Damian Mann
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: The Mail Tribune, Inc
Website: Supreme Court hears arguments on concealed gun for medical marijuana user
Appearing before almost 200 students, the seven justices convened at Willamette University College of Law in Salem and focused on whether an Oregon statute blocks the intent of the federal Gun Control Act of 1968.
The patient, Cynthia Willis, currently has a concealed weapons license, which the sheriff gave her after he lost the case in the Oregon Court of Appeals. Winters, along with the sheriff in Washington County, appealed the case to the Supreme Court.
Attorneys from both sides presented their case, responding to questions from the justices.
Willis said she and Winters both had hoped the Legislature would clear up the legal ambiguity surrounding the Oregon statute spelling out the requirements for a concealed weapon.
"Sheriff Winters and I both wanted this, but the Legislature wouldn't do it, so we're relying on this," she said.
Sheriff Sgt. Bob Grantland said Winters had other obligations and couldn't attend the hearing.
Grantland said he felt the proceedings went well.
"It is an important legal issue, and we are lucky to have these people deciding that," he said.
Winters denied Willis' gun permit in 2008, arguing that granting the permit would violate federal laws prohibiting drug users from legally possessing guns.
Willis so far has won every legal battle against Winters, with the Jackson County Circuit Court and the Oregon Court of Appeals siding with her last year.
Willis volunteers with Patient Services, a nonprofit group that helps people obtain medical marijuana cards.
The decision by the state Supreme Court to hear the case is significant since the court takes only about 8 percent of cases appealed from the lower court.
News Hawk- GuitarMan313 420 MAGAZINE
Source: dailytidings.com
Author: Damian Mann
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: The Mail Tribune, Inc
Website: Supreme Court hears arguments on concealed gun for medical marijuana user
