A lot has changed in the 210-plus years since the nation adopted the Second Amendment, guaranteeing gun rights. For one thing, federal gun laws now ban convicted illegal drug users from toting handguns.

But two Oregon sheriffs say that’s not tough enough. They don’t want to issue concealed handgun permits to licensed medical marijuana users.

They are chasing the wrong group of drug users.

The sheriffs contend marijuana is classified as a controlled substance under federal law. It is, but the Obama administration has signaled it no longer will enforce anti-drug laws in cases involving state-issued medical marijuana permits.

The two sheriffs, from Washington and Jackson counties, aren’t satisfied with that policy. They say Oregonians with medical marijuana permits shouldn’t qualify for concealed carry permits.

That’s discrimination based on a person’s medical condition. That’s wrong.

Oregon’s law is simple. An applicant for a handgun permit must meet six requirements. The person must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident; must have lived in Oregon at least six months; must prove competence with a handgun; must not have been convicted of a crime; must have no outstanding warrants; and must not be on pretrial release.

Those sensible rules keep many dangerous people from legally carrying handguns — if sheriffs are doing the proper background checks before issuing the permits.

The list of specific exclusions doesn’t mention medical marijuana users. Presumably that’s because Oregon doesn’t regard cancer patients and other medical marijuana users as criminals. These people are ill, not violent.

Do these sheriffs disagree with the medical marijuana law? Do they think prescription pot users should be treated as a threat to public safety?

If they do, they should lobby to amend the law. But we have a hunch they’ll have a hard time selling the idea to Oregon voters and state lawmakers.