Oregon has made strides in gun control legislation, declaring rapid-fire devices illegal and allowing local governments to ban concealed weapons in public buildings. Governor Tina Kotek celebrated the recent enactment of the Community Safety Firearms Act on Tuesday, which passed along party lines during this year’s legislative session and was signed into law in July.
“This is significant for every parent dropping their child off at school,” said Kotek, a Democrat. “It’s important for everyone who deserves to feel secure in their neighborhood. We can prevent gun violence, and we’re proving it.”
The new legislation prohibits rapid-fire devices, commonly referred to as bump stocks, which can modify semi-automatic weapons to function like fully automatic ones. Possession of such devices is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, carrying a penalty of up to one year in jail. Manufacturing or transporting these devices is considered a Class B felony, with a maximum sentence of up to ten years in prison.
Additionally, the law empowers local governments to implement policies that restrict concealed weapons in designated public buildings. Those agencies must ensure that signs are posted at the entrances of these buildings and provide notifications on their websites.
Oregon already has some of the most stringent gun laws in the nation, yet the new law underscores the ongoing debate about how to combat the rising gun violence in the state. Democrats advocate that these restrictions can help reduce fatalities, while Republicans argue that the measures unfairly target responsible gun owners and fail to address underlying mental health issues that contribute to gun-related deaths.
The legislation also sets a timeline for the implementation of Measure 114, a voter-approved law that bans the sale of magazines capable of holding more than ten rounds of ammunition and mandates a permit for gun purchases. Despite being passed over three years ago, this law is still facing legal challenges, with the Oregon Supreme Court recently reviewing its constitutionality.
A separate initiative aimed at establishing a state licensing program for gun dealers through the Oregon Department of Justice did not pass in the Legislature this year. However, Democrats have indicated plans to revisit this proposal in the future.
