UPDATE: Gun control package is NOT scheduled
By Terry Murry on Sunday, March 26th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
UPDATE: From the latest agenda revision of the Oregon Senate Judiciary Committee, there is NO 5 p.m. public hearing today (Monday) on Senate Bill 348. There is only the invitation only informational meeting. Instead, on Thursday, there is a work session planned on the measure that, in the committee’s words, “Directs the Department of Justice to study ways to address unlawful possession of firearms, and to provide results of study to interim committees of the Legislative Assembly no later than Dec. 31, 2024.”
SALEM – Oregon senators who support gun control measures have created Senate Bill 348, which combines three gun control measures proposed in the House of Representatives. That happened last week. On Monday at 1 p.m. the Senate Committee on Judiciary will hold a private, invitation-only, session to discuss what Democrats are calling the Gun Violence Prevention Package. Then, at 5 p.m., public comment will be taken.
Here is a news release from the majority party in the Senate describing the package:
The proposed package includes:
• Banning Ghost Guns (HB 2005): Ghost guns are homemade guns with parts that
can be purchased without a background check or a serial number and can be made
with a 3D printer. Ghost guns have emerged as a weapon of choice for violent
criminals, gun traffickers, dangerous extremists, and, generally, people
legally prohibited from buying firearms. HB 2005 gives law enforcement the
tools they need to keep our communities safe and keeps guns out of the wrong hands
by banning the sale, manufacturing, or importing of ghost guns. People convicted of
possession of an undetectable firearm would face a misdemeanor on the first offense,
which carries up to 364 days in jail, a $6,250 fine, or both. Second offenses and beyond
would carry up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. After discussions with
gun hobbyists, legislators have put together an amendment to give time for gun owners
to ensure their firearms are serialized, thus bringing them into compliance.
• Raising the Age of Purchase & Possession (HB 2006): Six of nine of the deadliest
mass shootings in the US since 2018 were carried out by people 21 or younger. This
policy brings firearm purchases in alignment with the age to purchase of a
handgun, which federally is 21 years of age. Raising the age to 21 for all
firearms, with certain and specific exemptions, including hunting and
military service, is a rational, reasonable, and responsible approach to the very real
dangers we face. The bill provides clarity for what people 18 to 21 can possess and
purchase, instead of a blanket prohibition on all firearms ownership until 21. It is a
balance between community safety and individual liberty – an Oregon approach to a
growing challenge.
• Local Control for Firearms on Public Premises (HB 2007): In 2021, the
Legislature gave local school districts the authority to prohibit firearms on school
grounds. However, other local jurisdictions like city councils and county commissions
were not given the same local control over firearms. Local communities know
what is best for them. That’s why HB 2007 gives locally-elected governments the
ability to adopt rules restricting firearms and concealed carry in their facilities and
adjacent grounds if they desire. This would have no effect on firearms carriage outside
of public buildings and their adjacent grounds and would not mandate that any
community take action if they do not wish to.
The Oregon Firearms Federation cried foul immediately, as they were to testify on three separate bills last week, only to learn at the last moment that the bills were being combined in one. According to the group backing lawsuits in both state and federal courts, the legislation is a rewrite of Oregon’s Ballot Measure 114, which has been placed on hold as both courts work to determine its constitutionality.
Here is part of a news release from OFF describing the package that we received last week:
The new bill, which is a gut and stuff of short place holder bill SB 348 (which we told you would likely be used for this purpose) was just posted late yesterday.
While it is far too complex, convoluted, poorly written, and contradictory to explain in depth (in fact, it may be impossible to explain at all) here are the lowlights we have found so far.
It will increase the cost of a “permit to purchase”. From $65.00 to $150.00.
It will increase the cost of a renewal from $50.00 to $110.00.
This change will be of interest to minority communities in low income, high crime areas. So much for “the consistent and equitable administration of the permitting process” (page 6 of the amendment.)
It will increase the wait time to get a permit after application from 30 days to 60 days.
Once again, people whose safety is at risk and live in places where the police simply do not respond will want to take special note of this provision.
The amendments still require that you complete a class that includes an:
“in-person demonstration of the applicant’s ability to lock, load, unload, fire and store a firearm before an instructor “approved” by a law enforcement agency.”
They provide no definition for what they mean by “lock.” We believe the word does not mean what they think it means.
It creates a 72 hour waiting period to take possession of a gun from a dealer AFTER you have gone through the process of getting a “permit.” A process that does not, of course, exist.
It requires the State Police create a “report” which “shall additionally specify, for each county, racial and gender information concerning each applicant within the total number of permits granted…” though it’s not clear what “gender” actually means since that is now open to interpretation.
It forbids 18-20 year olds from even applying for permits to purchase, though it will allow those dangerous scoundrels to buy:
A) A single-shot rifle, whether centerfire or rimfire;
(B) A double-barreled shotgun;
(C) A repeating rifle, whether centerfire or rimfire, that has a bolt, lever, pump, straight-pull or revolving action;
(D) A rifle with an attached tubular magazine designed to accept, and capable of operating only with, 0.22 caliber rimfire ammunition;
(E) A muzzleloader rifle; or
(F) A shotgun with a pump, break, level or revolving action
While the new language allows 18-20 year olds to buy pump action shotguns and “revolving action” shotguns, almost all of them are still banned under the magazine restrictions.
And even THOSE exemptions disappear for any purchase after July 1st, 2026, when 18-20 year olds will lose the right to acquire anything!
(18-20 year olds are still free to vote, get married, and serve in the military.)
And as always, it declares “an emergency” so it goes into effect upon passage.
People interested in testifying can read the bill and, if they wish to speak, select “Register to Testify” at https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Measures/Overview/SB348
