Kotek Signs Bills on Ghost Guns, Fentanyl and Other Public Safety Measures

SALEM — Governor Tina Kotek held a symbolic signing ceremony for seven new bills on Monday, August 21 that she says “addresses public safety in communities across the state.”

One of the bills signed was the controversial House Bill 2005, which cracks down on so-called “ghost guns.” HB 2005 was one of the bills that led to the six-week walkout by Senate Republicans earlier this year. The walkout ended when Senate Democrats agreed to scale down the bill. 

The more expansive version of House Bill 2005 would have raised the minimum age to purchase most guns from 18 to 21 and given Oregon cities the option to ban firearms in public buildings, in addition to cracking down on untraceable firearms. The final version only maintains the ghost gun ban, establishing fines and jail time for the sale or possession of 3D printed guns with the serial numbers removed or unfinished gun frames and receivers.

The other bills the Governor signed are:

• Senate Bill 5533 provides new funding for training and classes at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, Oregon’s only police academy. 
• House Bill 2676 updates Oregon’s Victims Compensation Program to expand counseling eligibility and offer compensation for additional expenses such as counseling or funeral expenses.
• House Bill 2732 provides funding for Children Advocacy Centers statewide, which provide services when child abuse is suspected.
• House Bill 2320 creates a Juvenile Justice Policy Commission Tasked with analyzing policy and making recommendations to the legislature about how to improve Oregon’s juvenile justice system.
• House Bill 2645 creates misdemeanor penalties for possession of a gram or more of fentanyl — or five pills — allowing violators to be sentenced to up to a year in jail or a $6,250 fine, or both. 

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Elkhorn Media Group

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