Controversial gun control bill moves to floor of Oregon Senate
Allows local jurisdictions to decide whether to allow guns in public buildings
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) An Oregon Senate bill sponsored by Democratic lawmakers would let local jurisdictions potentially ban handguns in public places, which critics say would take away some of the protected freedoms associated with a concealed carry permit.
On Monday, a packed, yet virtual public hearing on Senate Bill 554 lasted nearly four hours. Oregonians on both sides of the issue voiced their concerns. About 1,000 written testimonies were submitted, about 100 from Central Oregonians. Now is the time to protect our public spaces from gun violence, wrote supporter Jean Carlton of Bend. We must not be deterred by emotional claims that guns in public spaces either protect anyone or preserve our democracy.