Senate Bill 719A has been assigned to the Committee on Rules, which is chaired by state Representative Jennifer Williamson (D-36). Representative Williamson was one of the chief sponsors of Senate Bill 941 in 2015, which criminalized private transfers and loans of firearms. Since the passage of SB 941, Representative Williamson has continued to push the anti-gun agenda of former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg and the gun control group he bankrolls, Everytown for Gun Safety.
Based on a California law enacted in 2014, SB 719A would create a so-called “Extreme Risk Protection Order” (ERPO) that could be obtained by a law enforcement officer, family member, or household member in an ex parte hearing to deprive someone of their Second Amendment rights without due process of the law. Your NRA-ILA has been actively opposing this bill at the Capitol and will continue to do so as it heads to the House Rules Committee. Please contact the committee members and urge them to OPPOSE this bill! Click the “Take Action” button below to contact the committee members!
By allowing a law enforcement officer, family member, or household member to seek the ERPO, SB 719A would allow people who are not mental health professionals, who may be mistaken, and who may only have minimal contact with the respondent to file a petition with the court and testify on the respondent’s state of mind. This ex parte order, which strips the accused of their Second Amendment rights, would be issued by a judge based on the brief statement of the petitioner. The accused would not be afforded the chance to appear in court to defend themselves against the allegations when the ERPO is issued. These orders may be issued without any allegations of criminal behavior.
In Oregon, people who pose a danger to themselves or others may be dealt with in a number of ways, depending on the circumstances. Under current law, every punitive measure which leads to a prohibition on firearm possession requires some type of judicial process, so people are not arbitrarily deprived of their liberty or their rights. SB 719A is unnecessary and goes far beyond existing law.
Again, please click the “Take Action” button above to contact the committee members in opposition to SB 719A! Stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates.