SALEM, Ore. — Yesterday, the Oregon legislature introduced Senate Omnibus Bill 243, a bill package that includes four critical gun violence prevention measures. In a state with an over 50% adult gun ownership rate, SB 243 would take immense steps in creating responsible and safe gun ownership.
“Gun violence continues to steal the lives of far too many Oregonians, and it’s time to take action to make our state safer,” said Erin Riley, volunteer with the Oregon chapter of Moms Demand Action. Riley is also a fellow with the Everytown Survivor Network and testified in support of SB 243 yesterday about the gun suicide death of her son, Daniel. “Senate Omnibus Bill 243 will go far in taking meaningful steps to protect vulnerable people and places from risk of gun violence. Creating waiting periods for purchasing firearms is a critical barrier in preventing firearm suicide, which makes up over 70 percent of gun deaths in Oregon. Raising the age to purchase assault weapons — the weapons of choice for school shooters — will help keep these especially lethal guns out of our children’s hands. Keeping guns out of sensitive places, like polling locations, is a critical tool in protecting our freedom and democracy. True freedom eludes us as long as we live in fear of gun violence.”
“When gun violence is the leading cause of death for our generation in Oregon, there’s no denying that this is a public health crisis,” said Mario Welliver, volunteer lead with the Lake Oswego High School Students Demand Action chapter. “The gun violence that’s impacting our communities is the cost of politicians prioritizing power over people. SB 243 will go far in protecting my generation, which continues to bear the brunt of gun violence. We urge our lawmakers to be brave and stand up to extremist gun lobby pressures, and champion this critical bill package.”
Here’s what is included in Senate Omnibus Bill 243:
- (Previously SB 696), legislation to ban the sale and possession of rapid fire devices like bump stocks and Glock switches. Fully automatic machine guns are exceptionally lethal weapons that have been prohibited by federal and state law for decades, these dangerous devices make it possible to turn semi-automatic weapons into (or fire at speeds comparable to) machine guns;
- (Previously SB 697), legislation to raise the age to purchase and possess semiautomatic rifles to 21, while still allowing 18 – 21 year olds to purchase and possess certain firearms for hunting and recreation. The minimum age to buy a handgun from a federally licensed dealer is 21, yet Oregon law allows 18-to-20-year-olds to buy semiautomatic rifles and assault weapons. Research shows that individuals aged 18-to-20 years old commit gun homicides at a rate nearly 3 times greater than adults 21 and over.
- (Previously SB 429), legislation to implement a mandatory 72-hour waiting period before any firearm purchase. Oregon has one of the country’s highest firearm suicide rates – 77% of gun deaths in the state are suicides. Studies show that creating a buffer between temporary suicidal ideation and firearm access saves lives.
- (Previously SB 698), legislation to prohibit guns on municipal property will allow local governments to prohibit guns on municipal property – such as government buildings, court buildings, or adjacent grounds – so long as they put up a sign. Courthouses and government buildings are often targets for politically-motivated violence. For public safety and the health of democratic institutions, guns should be prohibited in these places.
In an average year, 625 people die and 719 are wounded by guns in Oregon. Guns are the leading cause of death among children and teens in Oregon, and an average of 34 children and teens die by guns every year. Gun violence costs Oregon $8.1 billion each year, of which $89.1 million is paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence in Oregon is available here.