Democrats in the Oregon Legislature, apparently not satisfied that the state Court of Appeals has declared gun control Measure 114 adheres to the state constitution, are pushing even stricter gun legislation to make it even more difficult for law-abiding citizens to own firearms.
To some, it appears they may be competing with their counterparts in neighboring Washington to see who can adopt the most restrictive gun control measures. Lawmakers in Olympia—the Evergreen State’s capital—have passed House Bill 1163, a permit-to-purchase bill which will add a requirement for safety training, including a live-fire exercise, in order to legally purchase a firearm. Seattle’s KOMO reported on the bill and conducted an online poll resulting in 83 percent believing HB 1163 is unconstitutional, 15 percent supporting the measure and 2 percent offering no opinion.
But while that battle is raging north of the Columbia River, an equally furious gun control effort is being waged in Salem, inside the Oregon capitol building, where three measures have reportedly already cleared some hurdles, according to KGW News in Portland.
The trio of bills now working their way through the Legislature are:
- House Bill 3075aimed at creating the enforcement mechanisms of Measure 114, “essentially preparing for implementation if the measure clears all of its current legal hurdles,” KGW says.
- House Bill 3076, which would establish a state licensing program for Oregon firearms dealers.
- Senate Bill 243, which would set a 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases.
The likelihood these bills will make it through the Democrat-controlled legislature appears good, although there is resistance.
Meanwhile, two Harney County residents, Joseph Arnold and Cliff Asmussen, have petitioned the Oregon State Supreme Court to review the appeals court ruling which upheld Measure 114. They are supported by the Gun Owners of America and the Gun Owners Foundation.
The appeals court’s decision that Measure 114 does not violate the state constitution rests on the contention that “a qualified person can acquire a gun for self-defense under the plain language of Measure 114,” according to OregonLive.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, a Democrat, is quoted by OregonLive declaring, “We are defending the intent of the voters, and we’re confident in the process. The Court of Appeals correctly upheld the constitutionality of Measure 114, and we will continue to defend the law when it’s challenged.”
