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Federal firearms licensee in complying with Federal firearms laws and regulations." The Open Letter addressed the relationship between state-specific legislation which in some cases permits the possession or use of marijuana for purposes deemed appropriate by the State. The 2011 ATF Open Letter reminds FFLs about Federal law 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3)which prohibits any person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802)) from shipping transporting receiving or possessing firearms or ammunition.
It is important to note that 9th Circuit Federal Court case number No. 14-15700upheld ATF's 2011 Open Letter to FFLs. The Court's ruling ultimately upheld that because the license to transact firearms is the ultimate authority of the Federal government and because marijuana is classified as a Schedule I Controlled Substance any person known to possess a medical marijuana ID must be considered a prohibited person.
The 2011 ATF Open Letter concludes with the following"Therefore 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. Such persons should answer "yes" to question 11.e. On ATF Form 4473 (August 2008)Firearms Transaction Record and you may not transfer firearms or ammunition to them. Further if you are aware that the potential transferee is in possession of a card authorizing the possession and use of marijuana under State law then you have "reasonable cause to believe" that the person is an unlawful user of a controlled substance. As such you may not transfer firearms or ammunition to the person even if the person answered "no" to question 11.e. On ATF Form 4473."
In October 2016ATF revised the Form 4473 (5300.9) and included a bolded text statement in Section 11(e) that reminds both FFLs and potential firearm transferees about the federal law. The latest version of ATF Form 4773 became effective on January 162017 and reads"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."
Federal Firearms Licensees who wish to learn more about the ATF Form 4473 can contact ATF through any number of methods provided on ATF's website (www.atf.gov). Or FFLs may contact Orchid Advisors if they want to learn more about retail best practices operational compliance with the ATF Form 4473 and how it can be used in conjunction with paper and electronic A&D ("Bound") Books.
It is important to note that 9th Circuit Federal Court case number No. 14-15700upheld ATF's 2011 Open Letter to FFLs. The Court's ruling ultimately upheld that because the license to transact firearms is the ultimate authority of the Federal government and because marijuana is classified as a Schedule I Controlled Substance any person known to possess a medical marijuana ID must be considered a prohibited person.
The 2011 ATF Open Letter concludes with the following"Therefore 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. Such persons should answer "yes" to question 11.e. On ATF Form 4473 (August 2008)Firearms Transaction Record and you may not transfer firearms or ammunition to them. Further if you are aware that the potential transferee is in possession of a card authorizing the possession and use of marijuana under State law then you have "reasonable cause to believe" that the person is an unlawful user of a controlled substance. As such you may not transfer firearms or ammunition to the person even if the person answered "no" to question 11.e. On ATF Form 4473."
In October 2016ATF revised the Form 4473 (5300.9) and included a bolded text statement in Section 11(e) that reminds both FFLs and potential firearm transferees about the federal law. The latest version of ATF Form 4773 became effective on January 162017 and reads"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."
Federal Firearms Licensees who wish to learn more about the ATF Form 4473 can contact ATF through any number of methods provided on ATF's website (www.atf.gov). Or FFLs may contact Orchid Advisors if they want to learn more about retail best practices operational compliance with the ATF Form 4473 and how it can be used in conjunction with paper and electronic A&D ("Bound") Books.
