Bill Now Moves to House Floor for a Vote; 81% of Oregonians Support Background Checks on All Gun Sales
The Oregon chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today applauded the House Rules Committee for passing Senate Bill 941, legislation to require background checks on all gun sales, out of committee with a 5-4 vote.
The vote follows yesterday’s lengthy hearing on SB 941, where law enforcement officials, veterans, survivors of gun violence, faith leaders, gun owners, Oregon moms, and others spoke in favor of the bill. SB 941 would expand existing policy requiring background checks to cover all gun sales—including online sales—closing a loophole that makes it easy for convicted felons and other dangerous people to get guns.
“Leaders in the House Rules Committee listened to the overwhelming majority of Oregonians who support background checks and moved this critical bill forward – for that we are grateful,” said Anneliese Davis, volunteer chapter leader of Oregon Moms Demand Action, who attended yesterday’s hearing. “We look forward to the vote on the House floor and hope our legislators will expand background checks to reduce crime and help save lives. The safety of Oregon families and communities depends upon it.”
Independent polling has shown that 81 percent of Oregonians support background checks on all gun sales. Background checks are proven to help prevent crime and save lives. In states with background checks on all handgun sales, 46 percent fewer women are killed by abusive partners, there are 48 percent fewer gun suicides and 48 percent fewer law enforcement officers are killed with guns in the line of duty.
The Oregon House floor vote on SB 941 has not yet been scheduled.
About Everytown for Gun Safety
Everytown is the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than 2.5 million supporters and more than 40,000 donors including moms, mayors, survivors, and everyday Americans who are fighting for public safety measures that respect the Second Amendment and help save lives. At the core of Everytown are Mayors Against Illegal Guns and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a grassroots movement of American mothers founded the day after the Sandy Hook tragedy. Learn more at www.everytown.org and follow us @Everytown
About Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is a grassroots movement of American mothers fighting for public safety measures that respect the Second Amendment and protect people from gun violence. Moms Demand Action campaigns for new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our children and families. Since its inception after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Moms Demand Action has established a chapter in every state of the country and along with Mayors Against Illegal Guns is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than 2.5 million members and more than 40,000 donors. For more information or to get involved visit www.momsdemandaction.org. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MomsDemandAction or on Twitter at @MomsDemand