OR legislative records: on Gun Control

• Requires gun dealer to request criminal background check before delivering firearm.
• Exceptions for family members, law enforcement, and inherited firearms
• Punishes violation by maximum of one year's imprisonment or $6,250 fine; subsequent offenses with10 years' imprisonment or $250,000 fine.
• Requires notifying local law enforcement agency when, during criminal background check, department determines that recipient is prohibited from possessing firearm.
• Authorizes prohibiting person ordered to participate in assisted outpatient treatment from purchasing or possessing firearm during period of treatment.

Cliff Bentz: No background checks for private gun transactions

The Oregonian analysis: SB 941 requires background checks for most gun transactions involving private parties to prevent sales to people legally prohibited from owning firearms, including felons and those committed for mental health treatment. The measure includes several exemptions, including for transfers among family members and for people who lend guns for hunting and for use at firing ranges.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 17-13-0 on Apr/14/15; Passed House 32-28-0 on May/4//15; State Rep. Cliff Bentz voted NO; Signed by Governor Kate Brown on May/11/15

Kate Brown: Require more background checks on gun sales

Legislative Summary: Requires private person to complete transfer of firearm by appearing with transferee before gun dealer to request criminal background check. Specifies exceptions for family members, law enforcement, inherited firearms and certain temporary transfers. Punishes violation by maximum of one year's imprisonment, $6,250 fine, or both; for second and subsequent offense, a maximum of 10 years' imprisonment, $250,000 fine, or both. Notifies appropriate law enforcement agency when, during criminal background check, department determines that recipient is prohibited from possessing firearm. Authorizes court to prohibit person ordered to participate in assisted outpatient treatment from purchasing or possessing firearm during period of treatment.

Kate Brown: Supports IP43 assault weapon ban and IP44 safe storage rules

In their submission of the proposed initiative IP43, supporters have called it "Promote Public Safety for All Through the Reduction of Assault Weapons and Large Capacity Magazines." Supporters call the IP44 measure "Oregonians for Safe Gun Storage and Reporting Lost/Stolen Firearms."

Gov. Kate Brown supports both proposed initiatives. Buehler's main opponents in the Republican primary, motivational speaker Greg Wooldridge and businessman Sam Carpenter, oppose both proposed initiatives.

Both proposed initiatives are in the early stages of trying to qualify for the ballot. Supporters have until July 6 to get the issue before voters for the Nov. 6 primary.

Knute Buehler: Opposes gun control proposals as intruding on basic freedoms

In their submission of the proposed initiative to the Secretary of State, supporters have called it "Promote Public Safety for All Through the Reduction of Assault Weapons and Large Capacity Magazines."

"There should be no confusion about my position on IP 43--I oppose it," Buehler wrote on Twitter on March 24. "There are sensible ideas to promote school safety & reduce gun violence, but IP 43 goes too far. It intrudes on basic freedoms & is likely unconstitutional."

Buehler's campaign manager said Buehler also opposes IP 44, the proposed initiative that would make gun owners liable for the misuse of firearms and require they lock, safely transfer and limit use of their firearms. Supporters call that proposed measure "Oregonians for Safe Gun Storage and Reporting Lost/Stolen Firearms."

Knute Buehler: No background checks for private gun transactions

The Oregonian analysis: SB 941 requires background checks for most gun transactions involving private parties to prevent sales to people legally prohibited from owning firearms, including felons and those committed for mental health treatment. The measure includes several exemptions, including for transfers among family members and for people who lend guns for hunting and for use at firing ranges.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 17-13-0 on Apr/14/15; Passed House 32-28-0 on May/4//15; State Rep. Knute Buehler voted NO; Signed by Governor Kate Brown on May/11/15

Tobias Read: Require background checks for most gun transactions

• Requires gun dealer to request criminal background check before delivering firearm.
• Exceptions for family members, law enforcement, and inherited firearms
• Punishes violation by maximum of one year's imprisonment or $6,250 fine; subsequent offenses with10 years' imprisonment or $250,000 fine.
• Requires notifying local law enforcement agency when, during criminal background check, department determines that recipient is prohibited from possessing firearm.
• Authorizes prohibiting person ordered to participate in assisted outpatient treatment from purchasing or possessing firearm during period of treatment.

Betsy Johnson: No background checks for private gun transactions

The Oregonian analysis: SB 941 requires background checks for most gun transactions involving private parties to prevent sales to people legally prohibited from owning firearms, including felons and those committed for mental health treatment. The measure includes several exemptions, including for transfers among family members and for people who lend guns for hunting and for use at firing ranges.

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 17-13-0 on Apr/14/15; State Sen. Betsy Johnson voted NO; Passed House 32-28-0 on May/4//15; Signed by Governor Kate Brown on May/11/15

Tina Kotek: Require criminal background checks for gun purchases

The Oregonian analysis:SB 941 requires background checks for most gun transactions involving private parties to prevent sales to people legally prohibited from owning firearms, including felons and those committed for mental health treatment. The measure includes several exemptions, including for transfers among family members and for people who lend guns for hunting and for use at firing ranges.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 17-13-0 on Apr/14/15; Passed House 32-28-0 on May/4//15; House Speaker Tina Kotek voted YES; Signed by Governor Kate Brown on May/11/15

Maxine Dexter: Voted YES on banning undetectable "ghost guns"

Oregon Capital Chronicle summary May 2, 2023: The state House passed a firearms bill that would ban untraceable guns, raise the minimum age from 18 to 21 to purchase powerful firearms like semiautomatic weapons and allow local agencies to ban firearms on government property. Democratic lawmakers and supporters of House Bill 2005 said the measure would help law enforcement and keep communities safe while respecting the rights of firearm owners.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 17-3-10 on Jun/15/23; passed House 34-14-12 on Jun/21/23; State Rep. Maxine Dexter sponsored and voted YES; Signed by Governor Tina Kotek on Jul/13/23.

Tina Kotek: Signed law banning undetectable "ghost guns"

Oregon Capital Chronicle summary May 2, 2023: The state House passed a firearms bill that would ban untraceable guns, raise the minimum age from 18 to 21 to purchase powerful firearms like semiautomatic weapons and allow local agencies to ban firearms on government property. Democratic lawmakers and supporters of House Bill 2005 said the measure would help law enforcement and keep communities safe while respecting the rights of firearm owners.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 17-3-10 on Jun/15/23; passed House 34-14-12 on Jun/21/23; Signed by Governor Tina Kotek on Jul/13/23.