2019 is just two weeks old and there’s already a slew of anti-gun bills being introduced in my home state of Oregon. Let’s take a look at some of these as it wouldn’t surprise me if similar ones are being concocted in the new Democrat controlled House of Representatives They’ve already got the “Assault Weapons Ban” going. But let’s look at the ones we’re facing here.
Via The Oregon Firearms Federation (OFF)
First, there’s “HB 2251 No modern firearms for draft age Oregonians. Extends background check delays to 30 days.”
Basically it means our young men and women under 21 who can enlist in the armed services and have access to all kinds of wonderful hi-tech weaponry can only purchase “matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap or similar type of ignition system, manufactured in or before 1898,” or replicas of those weapons. The military trusts them but not the state of Oregon. The state must know something the military doesn’t.
Then there’s that bit about background check “delays.” Oregon is an “instant” background check state. The gun dealer calls the State Police and they have 30 minutes to respond with a result of “approved” “denied” or “Pended/Delayed” “until sufficient record information can be obtained to complete the request.” Theoretically, if they do not come up with the information to deny or approve the purchase, the dealer may then release the firearm to the buyer after three business days. Sounds pretty reasonable, right? But I said “theoretically.”
In reality, these delays can last months. I know this because it once happened to me. Gun dealers are reluctant to adhere to the law of selling a delayed individual a firearm after three days because according to OFF, “Many gun dealers have been lied to for so long that they believe if they proceed with a transfer under these circumstances, they are somehow “liable.” Maybe because for years they have been told this by folks at the OSP ID unit who kind of like to make stuff up.”
So the part of the bill which extends delays to 30 days is really meaningless.
“HB 2505 Trigger locks. Liability for 4 years.”
Meh. They tried passing this bill last year . . . it failed. Trigger locks are useless anyway. I Googled “how to open a gun lock without a key.” It yielded about 19,500,000 results. Bolt cutters, paper clips, screwdrivers, and drills will all do the trick. And then they want to hold us liable if someone steals one of our guns locked with these easily defeated devices. And how would they know it was locked in the first place? If someone steals my gun and they try to accuse me of not having it locked . . . “Prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that it wasn’t.” You can’t. Case dismissed.
“HB 2705 Establishes a “voluntary” “Do Not Sell” list. Allows a person to add his or her name to a list of people who may not buy firearms.”
Wait, what? The need for this eludes me. The bill states, “Do Not Sell List” means a voluntary electronic list maintained by the Department of State Police of persons to whom a transferor may not lawfully transfer a firearm.” But the list is voluntary so . . . umm . . . derp. I guess this is for people who know they can’t be trusted with a gun, but really want to buy one, so put my name on this list in case I have a moment of weakness? I do not understand this one at all. How about those that don’t want to buy a firearm just not buy one? What will democrats think of next? If anyone here knows what this means just shout it out. I’m at a total loss.
“SB 87 Raises minimum age to purchase firearm or “firearm component” to 21. Allows gun dealers to impose any minimum age over 21. Defines firearm component (among other things) as anything that “enhances the shooting accuracy of a firearm.”
Basically the same thing as HB2251, it raises the age to buy but doesn’t include the 30 day delay extension. Just a backup plan in case the other bill fails, I reckon.
And now my favorite!!! This one’s a doozy! Ladies and gentlemen, I give you SB501!
“SB 501 Requires permit to PURCHASE firearm. Bans mags over 5 rounds. Requires trigger locks. Limits ammo purchase to 20 rounds a month. Requires background checks for ammo purchases. Imposes waiting period or 14 days.”
Folks, we have a winner! WOW! This one covers everything! And what’s not stated here is that to get said permit, you must also be 21, so it’s also raising the purchase age. You must also have completed a “a firearm safety course,” the specifics of which are not mentioned. And we get more trigger locks, which as I previously stated are useless.
Then I’ll need a background check to buy my 20 bullet ration to feed into my five round magazines, so I guess I’ll need four of those mags. Exempted from the “large capacity” mag restrictions would be “.22 caliber tube ammunition feeding device; or a tubular ammunition feeding device that is contained in a lever-action firearm.” I think I’ll buy a Winchester Model 94 just in case. And does that mean all six shot revolvers will also be banned? I can’t say but I’d assume so.
I moved here from California to escape these very same types of draconian gun laws. Here there are “high capacity” magazines. There’s open carry. There’s all this wonderful completely legal gun stuff! Now they’re trying with all their might to make me move again. It must be personal, right? Last year, with the help of organizations like OFF, we defeated two anti-gun bills, one which would have made it illegal to own nearly ANY kind of firearm in Oregon. Let’s hope we can get the same results this time around because I’m sick of moving. If any of you have any extra cash lying around, consider donating to OFF. Kevin Starrett and his people do a wonderful job of protecting the Second Amendment rights of those of us in Oregon.
Molon Labe.
