SF GateSALEM, Ore. (AP) — Legislative efforts to tighten gun control in Oregon cleared an important hurdle Tuesday after senators approved a measure designed to expand background checks for most private gun sales.
Under the bill, gun buyers and sellers who aren’t closely related would have to appear in person before a licensed gun dealer who can run a background check, for a fee, through the Oregon State Police. Sellers who don’t do the background check face a misdemeanor charge for a first offense and a felony charge for a second one.
Supporters of the measure say it closes a “loophole” that allows people to buy guns from unlicensed sellers online without having to go through a background check, and that it would make it harder for people with mental illnesses and violent criminal records to gain access to a firearm.
“What we will do is take one step to close a major loophole which is a floodgate for allowing these types of transactions where people who are not supposed to have guns have easy access to guns,” said bill sponsor Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene.
The bill now moves to the House, where Democrats hold a 32-25 majority. A spokeswoman for Gov. Kate Brown has said she supports the concept of expanding background checks.
Oregon law already goes further than federal law after voters approved an initiative in 2000 requiring background checks at gun shows.
Republican senators spent over two hours vehemently opposing the bill, saying expanding the background check system would do little to curb gun violence while making criminals of law-abiding citizens and impeding their constitutional rights.
Others, such as Senate Republican Leader Ted Ferrioli, argued the law would be impossible to implement, especially since several sheriffs have gone on the record to say they won’t enforce the law.
“I’ve heard this bill characterized as closing a loophole. But when criminals meet to exchange guns there’s no loophole involved. They’re just breaking the law,” said Ferrioli, R-John Day.
Oregon has become the latest battleground for gun control advocates, with a leading gun control group, backed by billionaireMichael Bloomberg, pushing the effort to get all gun sales to go through a background check.
Two previous proposals to expand gun control laws in the state failed to make it to a floor vote, but last year’s election, funded in part by Bloomberg’s group Everytown for Gun Safety, saw Democrats up their majority in the Senate by two seats.
After the bill passed the Senate, Everytown announced they’ll be running a six-figure television and online ad campaign in Portland, Eugene and Medford. The commercials will feature retired Portland Police Chief Mike Reese and relatives of people killed in a mall shooting calling for expanded background checks.
The Senate passed the measure 17-13 with Democrat Sen. Betsy Johnson voting against it.
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Oregon-Senate-advances-bill-expanding-background-6199550.php
“Under the bill, gun buyers and sellers who aren’t closely related would have to appear in person before a licensed gun dealer who can run a background check, for a fee, through the Oregon State Police. Sellers who don’t do the background check face a misdemeanor charge for a first offense and a felony charge for a second one.”
This is extremely pathetic. Watch these Commie bastards try and pass this shit in every other state.
well officer, we are [gay (would likely helpin the liberal areas of OR)] lovers.
our relation is close…
Stick your bill where the sun don’t shine………..PIGS!!!!
SHALL not be infringed –get it ,got it,
GOOD
If any one wants to help, let me know.
Its time to wash the quisling scum.
help with what?
“The commercials will feature retired Portland Police Chief Mike Reese and relatives of people killed in a mall shooting calling for expanded background checks.”
Are you talking about the bogus Clackamas Mall ‘shooting’? We saw ZERO evidence that anyone was killed there.
The ‘relatives’ must be crisis actors.