A closely watched trial is taking place in Oregon. The federal trial is about Oregon’s tough gun control measure that was approved by voters. Measure 114 is among the toughest gun control laws in the nation. The trial, held before a judge versus a jury, is to determine whether the law violates the U.S. Constitution. The trial over the voter-approved gun control measure starts this week in Portland. The legislation requires background check and bans the sale, transfer or import of gun magazines with more than 10 rounds.
Mass school shootings has caused legislators to look for solutions that has evaded the country. Supporters of the Oregon law say it would reduce mass shootings and other forms of guns violence as well as suicides. Suicides are looked at as well due to the high percentage of gun deaths as noted by the Oregon Health Authority.
U.S. Supreme Court struck down a New York law last June that limited carrying guns outside the home. Oregon’s law is being watched as one of the first new gun restrictions. The current Measure 114 suit was filed by Oregon Firearms Federation and a county sheriff.
Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and former Democratic Gov. Kate Brown are named as defendants. The lawsuit hit the docket back in November of last year.The suit states that the law violated the sacred right to bear arms under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Measure 114 is tough. It requires residents to undergo safety training along with a thorough background check to obtain a permit to buy a gun. The judge’s ruling is not final. Lawyers may have already begun preparing for the appeals process. The ruling is likely to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
