On Monday, February 3, the Oregon Legislature will convene its 2014 legislative session. This short 35-day session will feature rapid consideration of bills making it important for citizens to stay engaged in helping to defeat dangerous anti-gun legislation. Prior to this session, an interim judiciary committee voted 3 to 2 for Legislative Concept 154, aimed at criminalizing the lawful private transfer of firearms. LC 154 has now been assigned the bill number of Senate Bill 1551 and although SB 1551 has not yet been placed on the calendar, we anticipate it to be up for a committee hearing within the first two weeks of session. Additionally, the proponents of SB 1551 have indicated an extremely high likelihood that it will receive a full vote in the Senate. It is critical that you contact your state Senator and urge him or her to oppose this dangerous legislation.
In addition to pending legislation in the state Senate, there are two other firearm-related bills that are set to be heard in the state House. House Bill 4035, sponsored by state Representative Jeff Barker (D-28), would permit a corrections officer with a valid concealed handgun license to leave a locked firearm in their personal vehicle while they are in the correctional facility. HB 4035 is scheduled for a hearing on February 3 in the state House Committee on Judiciary. House Bill 4068, sponsored by state Representative David Gomberg (D-10), seeks to modify Oregon’s concealed handgun license (CHL) application requirements with the intent to expand CHL eligibility to individuals with old or out-of-state convictions for misdemeanor marijuana-related offenses. HB 4068 is scheduled to be heard February 5 by the state House Judiciary Committee.
Your NRA-ILA will continue to keep you updated when more information is available.