Oregon Senate Passes Gun Control Bill, Heads to Governor’s Desk
The Oregon Senate on Wednesday passed a bill that would require people to keep unattended guns locked up, ban firearms in the Oregon Capitol building and airports, and would permit schools to ban guns. It now heads to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.
After a brief debate, the “safe-storage” bill, Senate Bill 554, passed the state Senate on a vote of 17-7, with all Republicans voting “no.”
The bill mandates that gun owners secure unattended weapons with trigger locks or in locked compartments. Those who don’t would be strictly liable for any injuries or property damage. If a minor gets ahold of an unsecured firearm, the gun’s owner would face a maximum $2,000 fine.
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Oregon gun storage law would be among the toughest in the US
ANDREW SELSKY, Associated Press
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FILE - In this Oct. 2, 2018, file photo, semi-automatic rifles are displayed on a wall at a gun shop in Lynnwood, Wash. Lawmakers in Oregon are considering a proposed gun storage law that would be the among strongest in AmericaElaine Thompson/AP
SALEM, Ore. (AP) A proposed gun storage law that would be among the toughest in the U.S. is headed for a vote Monday in the Oregon Legislature, with backers saying it will save lives and opponents contending it could lead to deaths.
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But opponents say forcing people to keep guns locked up could waste precious moments if they need to defend themselves against armed intruders.
Jim Mischel, of Sheridan, Oregon, described how his wife woke up when he was away one night in 1981. She heard a noise, went to investigate and saw that a man had broken into their home.
She returned to the bedroom and tried to get to a pistol that was in a locked gun box in the nightstand.
“She was unable to get the box unlocked and the pistol out before he got into the bedroom and threatened her with his gun,” Mischel said. “She has never recovered.”