IN THE NEWS: GUN VIOLENCE + REFORM
Harney County judge rejects state push to strike parts of his ruling that found gun control Measure 114 violates Oregon Constitution
The Oregonian/OregonLive | By Maxine Bernstein Jan. 02, 2024, 4:33 p.m.
A Harney County judge Tuesday denied each of the state’s objections to his findings that helped form his opinion that Oregon’s voter-approved gun control Measure 114 violates the state constitution’s right to bear arms.
Circuit Judge Robert S. Raschio held a hearing by video to allow the state’s lawyers to make their arguments, but then systematically rejected their challenges.
FBI to grant Oregon a ‘grace period’ to allow access for Measure 114′s required federal background checks
The Oregonian/OregonLive | By Maxine Bernstein September Nov. 14, 2023
The FBI has agreed to offer a grace period that would allow Oregon to access the bureau’s national criminal history data to complete required fingerprint-based background checks if the state’s stalled gun control Measure 114 should take effect.
The FBI’s new position comes as Oregon awaits a ruling by Harney County Circuit Judge Robert S. Raschio on whether the voter-approved measure is constitutional under state law.
Closing arguments in Measure 114 case reflect Oregon divide over guns
The Oregonian/OregonLive | By Maxine Bernstein September 25, 2023
Gun control Measure 114 infringes on Oregonians’ right to bear arms for self-defense and has no public safety benefit, the lawyer for two Harney County gun owners challenging the measure in Harney County Circuit Court argued in his closing Monday
(…) Lawyers for the state countered that the voter-approved measure provides reasonable regulations by restricting people who may be a danger to themselves or others from buying guns and limiting the number of rounds in a gun magazine to reduce homicides and mass shootings. 'The right to bear arms is not absolute,' Senior Assistant Attorney General Harry B. Wilson said."
State rests case in Oregon gun laws trial
OPB | By Jonathan Levinson September 25, 2023
A six-day trial over the constitutionality of recently approved Oregon gun laws ended Monday after lawyers for the state Department of Justice ended three days of tense testimony.
Witnesses for the state faced direct scrutiny from Harney County Circuit Court Judge Robert Raschio, who will decide if the voter-approved Measure 114 is legal under Oregon law.
Backers of Gun Control Measure 114 Declare Victory in Close Contest. As of noon on Wednesday, it had won 50.7% of the vote.
Willamette Week | By Lucas Manfield, November 09, 2022
Oregon is on the verge of a major tightening of its gun laws.
As of noon Wednesday, Measure 114 had won 50.7% of the vote, with many of the outstanding ballots in blue Willamette Valley strongholds.
Mark Knutson, chair of Lift Every Voice Oregon, the volunteer-led group that brought the proposal to the ballot, called it a “historic victory.”
Proponents of tighter Oregon gun laws declare victory for Measure 114
OPB | By Lillian Mongeau Hughes, November 8, 2022
The measure that would tighten Oregon’s gun laws was leading by a narrow margin on Wednesday morning, according to early returns. With votes continuing to be counted in several Oregon counties, including some of the most populous, proponents are hoping their lead will grow.
Diocese of Oregon adopts resolution supporting gun control ballot measure
Episcopal News Service | November 1, 2022
On Oct. 29, the Diocese of Oregon’s annual convention adopted Resolution 3, supporting Oregon Measure 114 — a ballot question that would establish stricter gun control — in a 242-7 vote. This resolution follows the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church’s Resolution B006, which urges “dioceses of The Episcopal Church to advocate for safe gun legislation with their state governments.”
With the adoption of Resolution 3, the diocese, through Lift Every Voice Oregon, a nonprofit organization focused on reducing gun violence in Oregon, officially “endorses and urges all diocesan institutions and congregations to read and consider offering support of Ballot Measure 114.”
Oregon’s Measure 114 prompts fierce gun control debate in final campaign days
Fox 12 | By Adrian Thomas, November 1, 2022
On Tuesday, those behind Measure 114 made an emotional case for their cause. At Augustana Lutheran Church, 170 tolls of a church bell rang out to represent the 170 people who have died from gun violence in Oregon this year.
If passed the ballot measure would extend beyond background checks and require any Oregonian who purchases a weapon to have a permit, take safety courses, and be registered in a new database overseen by the Oregon State Police.
American Turning Point: Grassroots gun reform
The Uvalde, Texas, school shooting left many people demanding change. In Oregon, a former Marine turned in his AR-15 to be destroyed and activists got a large gun safety measure on the midterm ballot.
In the states: Oregonians weigh restrictive gun measures
The Washington Post | Analysis by Leigh Ann Caldwell and Theodoric Meyer with research by Tobi Raji and Emily Guskin, October 20, 2022
Knutson acknowledged the possibility of a lawsuit, but said that it’s now or never. “I had a senior in high school I was talking to. I said, ‘So what are your dreams for this year?’ He said, ‘Well, good grades, get [into] a great college and not get shot,’” Knutson recalled. “Now, why should that be any high-schooler’s top three?”
Oregon Measure 114, the gun control measure, explained
OPB | October 19, 2022
Faith leaders campaign for measure that would tighten gun laws in Oregon
FOX 12 | By FOX 12 Staff, October 19, 2022
Faith leaders are calling their statewide campaign for Measure 114, “Safe Oregon Sabbath.” They say they just want to get the word out and that everyone can take part in their own way.
“Just take a moment of silence and think about someone who’s been shot, everyone knows someone, and just offer your own moment of quiet,” said Rev. Dr. Mark Knutson, Chair of Lift Every Voice Oregon. “This movement, this coalition is way broader than faith communities. It’s faith communities and people of just good will who never walked into a church, synagogue, mosque or temple, but they are working hard, good will, cross the borders in this state.”
Lift Every Voice Oregon gathered nearly 162,000 signatures to get the measure on next month’s ballot.
WW’s General Election 2022 Endorsements: Ballot MeasureS
Willamette Week | By WW Staff, October 19, 2022
Measure 114: It isn’t radical to think that guns ought to be regulated like cars. Oregon would join 14 other states that have already implemented a licensing system. These are common-sense improvements—if not solutions—to a broken system.
The limit on large-capacity magazines is long overdue and similarly common across the country. Studies have shown that a similar federal ban, in place for a decade until it was repealed in 2004, was effective in reducing gun violence.
Measure 114 campaign presents study showing affects of gun purchasing laws
KOBI5 | By Zack Larsen, October 6, 2022
Today, the “Vote Yes on 114” campaign presented results from a study to help inform people about Measure 114, which will be on the ballot next month.
If it passes, it would ban ammunition magazines over 10 rounds in Oregon.
People would also need to go through local law enforcement for a “Permit to Purchase,” which would require showing a photo ID, taking gun safety training and passing a background check.
Letter: Measure 114 won't take away guns
Democrat Herald | Letter, October 5, 2022
We have a chance this November to pass an important bill relating to gun safety. Measure 114 will not take away anyone’s guns but it will require safety training, stronger background checks, as well as fingerprinting for verification.
Election 2022: Measure 114 could change how Oregonians handle their guns
Salem Statesman Journal | By Dejania Oliver, September 27, 2022
Oregonians could see a significant change in how they can possess, and use, firearms. Measure 114, if passed by voters in November, would require permits to buy a firearm, require safety training and prohibit the sale of ammunition magazines of more than 10 rounds.
How the measure would work:
Permits would be issued by a local sheriff’s office or police department within 30 days of an application being submitted. The cost for a permit would be $65, plus an additional $50 to renew every five years. Background checks would continue to be handled by Oregon State Police.
No to healthcare entitlement, yes to other 3 state measures
Yamhill County’s News Register | By Editorial Board, September 23 2022
The gun measure would require a permit from local law enforcement, subject to renewal every five years, to purchase a firearm. Requirements would include a photo ID, set of fingerprints, safety course certificate, criminal background check and a relatively modest fee payment.
It would also ban manufacture, importation, purchase, sale, possession, use or transfer of magazines exceeding 10 rounds. Violation would constitute a Class A misdemeanor.
Fourteen states and the District of Columbia have firearm permit-to-purchase laws on the books. The district joins nine states in banning high-capacity magazines.
We view these as reasonable measures our state might impose in the interest of citizen safety, without unduly infringing on federal rights established in the Second Amendment. We realize that many others may not.
LETTERS: Hillsboro leaders are taking a stand
News-Times | By Tualatin Resident, September 22 2022
Scared and feeling hopeless by the continuation of gun violence? There's finally something Oregon voters can do to change this.
Measure 114, the Reduction of Gun Violence Act, limits the sale and possession of magazines capable of firing more than 10 bullets without needing to reload. When high-capacity magazines are used in mass shootings, nearly five times as many people are shot. California and Washington already prohibit them.
Bend City Council to consider gun restrictions following Safeway shooting
OPB | By Joni Auden Land, September 12, 2022
Nearly two weeks after a 20-year-old gunman shot and killed two people at a Safeway in Bend, local officials met to reflect on the tragedy and plan for possible solutions.
Councilor Melanie Kebler said at Wednesday’s meeting of the Bend City Council that she wanted to look into avenues she and her colleagues can take to implement more firearm restrictions in the city.
Your Voice, Your Vote: League of Women Voters issues its November measures positions
KDRV | By Jerry Howard, September 2, 2022
It supports Measure 114 as the Reduction of Gun Violence Act. Ballot Measure 114 requires permits for people to acquire firearms, police maintain permits and firearms database, and criminally prohibits certain ammunition magazines.
Gun measure requiring permit-to-purchase and banning high capacity magazines up on November ballot
KEZI | By Jaewon Jung, September 2, 2022
There's renewed attention on Measure 114 after a gunman opened fire at a Safeway in Bend. The shooting left three dead, including the gunman.
Ceasefire Oregon Education Foundation executive director Penny Okamoto helped to write the measure. She said the measure would help reduce gun violence in the state.
"Permit-to-purchase has been shown to reduce suicide and homicide," said Okamoto. "Homicide by 28% when Connecticut enacted theirs, and suicide by 33% when Connecticut enacted their permit-to-purchase."
Discussion of Oregon Measure 114 increases after Bend Safeway shooting
Central Oregon Daily News | By Colby Enebrad, August 31, 2022
Measure 114 — a citizen-initiated proposal aims to change how one can buy a gun — will be on the ballot this November.
Bend shooting reignites conversations about Oregon gun control measure
KATU | By Frances Lin, August 30, 2022
The deadly shooting in Bend on Sunday shook Oregon communities and shone a light back on the call for stricter gun control measures.
Oregonians to vote on gun-safety measure in November
Catholic Sentinel | By Kristen Hannum, August 2, 2022
Lift Every Voice Oregon, an interfaith committee whose key leaders include Rev. Mark Knutson, pastor of Augustana Lutheran Church in Northeast Portland, and Rabbi Michael Cahana at Congregation Beth Israel, have succeeded in garnering enough signatures to put a gun-safety initiative on the November ballot in Oregon.
Religious groups came together in Oregon to get gun control on the next ballot
NPR Weekend Edition | Host, Ayesha Rascoe, July 17, 2022
An interfaith group in Oregon has been working for years advocating for gun control in that state. Recent shootings have galvanized support among voters for their latest efforts.
What It Was Like on the Bus Delivering Gun Control Signatures to Salem
Willamette Week | By Ekansh Gupta, July 11, 2022
“I thought we were never going to make it. It’s been a phenomenal last month.”
IP 17 stands poised to make the ballot after delivering 159,565 signatures. The petitioners needed 112,020 to be valid—registered voters with no duplicates—to qualify for the ballot. It’s the result of an unlikely grassroots movement to bring gun control to the ballot—an effort that, in the words of the Rev. Mark Knutson, chief petitioner, was run from “a little church basement, where people worked for months, energy everywhere—that’s where the great movements come.”
Oregon group delivers signed petitions for gun reform initiative
KGW8 | By Christelle Koumoué (KGW), July 8, 2022
A grassroots campaign led by the organization "Lift Every Voice Oregon" has gathered enough signatures to get stricter gun safety measures on the November ballot, according to the group.
At Northeast Portland's Augustana Lutheran Church Friday, a gathering of students and faith leaders lifted their voices with a message urging the community to turn anger into action.
After Uvalde, a citizen-led effort to change gun laws in Oregon took off. It could be a model for other states.
NBC News | By Jane C. Timm, June 30, 2022
The group organizing the ballot initiative this week surpassed the minimum number of signatures it needs to be able to put the proposal before the state's voters.
A citizen-led effort to institute new gun safety rules and ban high-capacity magazines has taken off in Oregon after mass shootings last month in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York, mobilized volunteers and voters.
Oregon gun safety measure may make it onto fall ballot
OPB | By Lillian Mongeau Hughes, June 30, 2022
Four weeks ago, the interfaith nonprofit Lift Every Voice Oregon had about 300 volunteers and had collected just a quarter of the signatures they needed to put a gun permit law on the ballot this fall. As of Thursday morning, organizers said 1,500 people from Coos Bay to Pendleton have gathered 115,000 signatures – more than they need to qualify.
Joe Paterno, the volunteer field director for the effort, known as Initiative Petition 17, said scores of new volunteers from all across the state signed up after the May mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas.
“Almost to a person, it’s, ‘I want to do something. I feel the grief, the loss, the pain, and this gives me something concrete that I can do, an action that I can take,’” Paterno said.
Oregon should build on gun safety progress
The Oregonian | By The Oregonian Editorial Board, June 26, 2022
Finally, the horror was too much. Until last week, it seemed that nothing could move Congress to take meaningful action for gun safety. Even as 6-year-olds, congregants, high schoolers and concertgoers were gunned down, no tragedy seemed too ghastly for Congress to sidestep.
Grassroots Campaign to Put Gun Control on the Oregon Ballot This Fall Now Says It’s Collected 90,000 Signatures
Willamette Week | By Rachel Monahan, June 23, 2022
Organizers of an Oregon initiative petition to require licenses for gun ownership and restrictions on the sale of high-capacity magazines have successfully gathered 90,000 signatures toward putting Initiative Petition 17 on the ballot.
Lift Every Voice Oregon, an interfaith group that supports greater gun control, reports it has gathered 30,000 signatures in the past week alone. They need at least 112,020 by July 8, though they aim to gather at least 140,000—a number that they now say is realistic.
Readers respond: Get gun-control measure on the ballot
The Oregonian | Letters to the Editor, June 20, 2022
As pediatricians in leadership roles at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Dr. Hoffman and Dr. Braner live their passion for taking care of children, including preventing kids from being injured or killed by guns. In their June 12 op-ed (“Opinion: Protect Oregon’s children and change our deadly status quo on guns,”) they advocate for change because the status quo is not OK. As evidenced by the support of Lift Every Voice Oregon’s campaign to move Initiative Petition 17 to Oregon’s November ballot, voters across our state are also not OK with the status quo of our gun laws.
Friday marks 7 years since Charleston church shooting
WCSC Live 5 News | By Patrick Phillips, June 17, 2022
Gunfire erupted in a downtown Charleston church seven years ago Friday night, leaving nine members of a historically-Black church dead.
The shooting, committed by a white supremacist at the end of a Wednesday night Bible study into which church members welcomed him, was intended to start a race war, investigators have said.
Waiting and praying
Yamhill County’s News-Register | Letters to the Editor, By Sinell Harney, June 17, 2022
As a longtime McMinnville resident, active community member, pediatric physical therapist, mother of elementary school students and wife of a middle school teacher, I am deeply concerned about the impacts gun violence is having — and will continue having — in Yamhill County.
Over this past weekend, I was deeply moved by the 96 kids, parents, educators, mental health clinicians, speakers and community support personnel who marched down Third Street in a call to address the urgent need for greater protections for our local youth.
If you are an active Oregon voter, please consider common sense gun legislation. Visit Lift Every Voice Oregon’s website or the Yamhill Democratic Office and sign the IP 17 petition by July 8 to put gun safety on the November ballot.
This is a call for help from the mothers who are tired of waiting and praying.
Sinell Harney
McMinnville
Portland Public Schools safety policy to prohibit concealed weapons on school campuses
OPB | By Elizabeth Miller, June 15, 2022
The board of Portland Public Schools voted Tuesday evening to expand its weapons ban to restrict any individuals with a concealed firearms license from carrying a gun on PPS property.
Ceasefire Oregon pushes for gun control amid wave of mass shootings
KOIN 6 Eye on Northwest Politics | Interview By Ken Boddie, Jun 12, 2022
Penny Okamoto is the executive director of Ceasefire Oregon, a nonprofit advocating for gun control legislation as both Portland and the nation deal with a wave of violence and mass shootings.
Okamoto joined Eye on Northwest Politics to discuss efforts to curb gun violence and what lawmakers
can do.
Letter: Urges signing of gun safety petition
Albany Democrat-Herald | Letter to the Editor, By Ann DeLollis, Jun 12, 2022
For those interested in supporting additional Oregon measures for gun safety, Lift Every Voice Oregon is a timely resource.
It represents the ongoing efforts of a multifaith group to address the tragic impact of gun violence. Lift Every Voice Oregon is in the final month of gathering petition signatures to place its Initiative 17 (Reduction of Gun Violence Act) on the Oregon ballot for the Nov. 8 general election.
Portland Students to March for Gun Control Laws Saturday
Portland Mercury | By Alex Zielinski, Jun 10, 2022
As the Grand Floral Parade snakes through Inner Northeast Portland Saturday morning, another cluster of Portlanders will take to Southwest Portland streets to rally for stronger gun laws.
The Portland March for Our Lives event, organized by local high school students, will be held in coordination with similar marches across the country Saturday.
Texas massacre spurs Oregon gun-safety ballot initiative
AP NEWS | By Andrew Selsky, June 10, 2022
When Raevahnna Richardson spotted a woman standing outside a library in Salem, Oregon, gathering signatures for a gun-safety initiative, she made a beeline to her and added her name.
“I signed it to keep our kids safe, because something needs to change. I have a kid that’s going to be in first grade this upcoming season, and I don’t want her to have to be scared at school,” Richardson said.
Organización colecta firmas para mayor control de armas de fuego en Oregon
Univision Portland | By Antonio Sánchez, June 8, 2022
En Oregon, la edad mínima para comprar un arma de fuego es de 21 años y de 18 años para rifles y escopetas.
La oficina de la gobernadora Kate Brown informó que apoya aumentar esa edad a 21 años en una sesión futura y dijo estar trabajando con los legisladores para ver qué propuestas se presentarán en la sesión de 2023.
‘PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY:’ NORTHWEST DOCTORS, FAITH LEADERS CALL FOR GUN REFORM
KOIN 6 | By Liz Burch, June 6, 2022
Northwest doctors and faith leaders told KOIN 6 Monday that they view the country’s gun crisis as a “public health emergency” and are calling for action.
“It is a public health emergency that needs to be addressed with public health measures,” said Mike Sinanan, the President of the Washington State Medical Association. We believe common-sense measures to reduce the availability of guns to the wrong people is a critical step in handling this public health emergency.”
Editorial: Change leaders, change laws for meaningful gun reform
The Oregonian/OregonLive | By The Oregonian Editorial Board, May 29, 2022
The children and teachers slaughtered by a gunman at Robb Elementary School never had a chance. Their killer’s weapons were too powerful, his stash of ammunition too great. And the path he took to the Texas classroom where they died in terror was paved by a gutless Congress intent on inaction.
Readers respond: Oregon needs gun-control measures
The Oregonian/OregonLive | Letter to the Editor By Kathleen Pool, May 27, 2022
Can it happen here? Can a hate-filled 18-year-old white supremacist buy an AR-15, fill his car trunk with oversized ammunition magazines and drive north to find his targets, all with no questions asked? Let’s vote on it.
Research shows policies that may help prevent mass shootings — and some
that don't
NPR Morning Edition | By Nell Greenfieldboyce, Updated May 26, 2022
Every mass shooting in the U.S. raises calls for better policies to prevent such tragedies. There's evidence suggesting that certain kinds of laws may reduce deaths from mass shootings, say scientists who study the field — but those policy options are not the ones usually discussed in the wake of these events.
Fledgling effort aims to get measure for stricter gun laws on Oregon’s
November ballot
OPB | By Lillian Mongeau Hughes, May 25, 2022
Lift Every Voice Oregon is a small, interfaith nonprofit that wants people to have a permit and complete firearm training before being allowed to purchase a gun.
Rev. Mark Knutson of the Augustana Lutheran Church in Portland said he’s been working to pass stricter gun laws for 30 years. And his heart is breaking for the families in Uvalde, Texas.
Faith-based group works to get enough signatures to put gun control proposal on November ballot
The Oregonian/OregonLive | By Maxine Bernstein, May 19, 2022
Oregon gun safety advocates are working to collect signatures to put an initiative on November’s ballot that would require people to get a permit to buy a gun and would stop the sale of gun magazines that hold more than 10 rounds.
Initiative Petition 17 also would close the so-called Charleston loophole by requiring people to pass a background check before buying a gun.
Portland sees 390 shootings in first quarter of 2022, police officials say
KATU 2 | April 15, 2022
The Portland Police Bureau released new information Friday on gun violence reported across the city so far this year.
Portland has seen an upward trend in shootings over the past few years, with gun violence tending to spike in the summer.
Portland activists demand action for Black killings
KOIN 6 | March 10, 2022
Portlanders are saying enough is enough and are calling on city leaders to take greater action to address gun violence.
Advocates with the No Hate Zone met at the Dawson Park gazebo Wednesday, March 9, to demand city leaders address Portland's overwhelming gun violence against people of color. Beginning shortly after 2 p.m., the news conference welcomed a variety of community members, including representatives with Lift Every Voice Oregon.
Dig Deeper into gun violence
The Oregonian | Letter to the Editor, By Ken Meyer, November 2, 2021
The Oct. 9 article “The big difference between Portland’s violence now and record-setting 1987? Guns and indiscriminate shootings” was sad and inadequate. It documented who was killed and where they were killed but did not adequately address the underlying issue of too many guns.
How misinformation overturned California’s assault weapons ban
THE HILL | By Devin Hughes, Opinion Contributor, June 14, 2021
Misinformation is deadly. That has become acutely obvious in Judge Roger Benitez’s ruling last week that overturned California’s 1989 assault weapons ban, in which he argues defensive gun use with an assault weapon “surely happens a lot” and “seems to be more common” than mass shootings with such weapons — both of which are blatant falsehoods.
There Have Been, on Average, 10 Mass Shootings in the US Each Week This Year
NPR | By Saeed Ahmed, May 11, 2021
When a man walked into a birthday party in Colorado Springs, Colo., over the weekend, killing six people and then himself, it was the deadliest mass shooting in the state since March, when a rampage at a grocery store left 10 people dead.
We're just 18 weeks into 2021, and already the U.S. has experienced 194 mass shootings. That averages out to about 10 a week.