The gun control bake sale continues

The folks trying to get meaningful gun control on the ballot in Oregon – they call themselves Lift Every Voice Oregon – are ramping up their signature-gathering efforts with the arrival of 2022.  They've got to get something like 112,000 signatures on their two ballot measures by early July to get them before the voters in November. (To be on the safe side, they're setting a goal of 140,000.) They've had at least one false start in the past, but their effort seems to have better momentum and organization this time around.

I'm all for what they're doing. They summarize their two propositions as follows:

No. 17

All firearm purchasers will need a permit to buy a firearm. Before issuance, the permit applicant must successfully complete a background check (regardless of how long it takes), as well as pass both a firearm safety training class and a live-fire training session, as those terms are defined in IP #17.   

The permit is valid for 5 years.  Whether the seller is a licensed dealer or unlicensed seller at a gun show, at the time of purchase, a current, valid, permit must be presented and a background check must be successfully completed before any firearm is turned over to or received by the purchaser.  

Restrictions are also imposed upon purchase of the certain ammunition. No magazines over 10 rounds can be purchased or sold after the effective date of the Act and those already owned on that date are restricted to the owner’s sole use on personal property, at shooting ranges, competition and lawful recreational activities such as hunting, provided they are transported to such locations in a locked container separate from any firearm. Sale or transfer of large-capacity magazines to others is prohibited, except, within 180 days of the effective date of the Act they may be sold or transferred to a licensed dealer or permanently altered to only hold 10 rounds or, at any time, turned in to law enforcement for destruction.  

Manufacturing of large-capacity magazines or sale by a dealer is also prohibited, except for military and law enforcement purposes.

The penalty for violation of this law is a Class A misdemeanor or, on some instances, if the violator has one or more prior convictions at the time of the charge, the penalty is a Class C felony.

No. 18

The manufacture, import, possession, use, purchase and otherwise transferring of semiautomatic assault firearms, as defined in the initiative petition, are banned.  

Those owned before the effective date may, within 180 days, be sold to a licensed dealer, turned in for destruction,  or permanently disabled. Or, semiautomatic assault firearms lawfully owned before the effective date may be retained if they are registered with the State Police within 180 days and their use is restricted to use by the owner at home, shooting ranges, competitions, and lawful recreational activities such as hunting, provided the guns are transported to such locations in an unloaded and locked manner.  

Manufacturing and sales may continue for military and law enforcement purposes only. The manufacturers and dealers are given 180 days to complete other contracts and dispose of inventory in existence that is not for military or law enforcement purposes.

The penalty for violation of this law is a Class A misdemeanor or, in some instances, if the violator has one or more prior convictions at the time of the charge, the penalty is a Class C felony.

To me, it's all common sense. But it's also a glaring illustration of the failure of the Democratic Party in our state. The Democrats are in complete control of the Legislature and the governor's office, and yet we have to have moms and pops standing out in the rain collecting signatures to get rules like these passed? It's a disgrace. A disgrace that you ought to ask the charming Tina Kotek about when she comes sashaying in asking for your vote for governor. She's the House speaker who has gotten nothing done on this.

Anyway, the initiative sponsors are training people to be signature collectors this week, and so you may see them around pretty soon. If you do, and you're a registered voter in Oregon, you may want to consider stopping and signing. There may even be a way that you can do it individually, by printing out a form off the internet, signing it, and mailing it, but that's a ways off at the moment.

Let's have real gun control in Oregon. These measures aren't going to solve the gun violence problems right away – that would take 50 years – but you've got start somewhere. And when the politicians fail you, your only choice is to go over their heads.