Oregon: Anti-Gun Bills to be Heard in Senate Judiciary Committee Next Week

Next week, Senate Bill 913 and Senate Bill 525, are scheduled for hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Senate Bill 913, the ivory regulation bill, was introduced with the intent of curbing poaching and helping to end the illegal ivory trade.  Unfortunately, SB 913 would not accomplish its purported objective. The bill would, however, harm those who have no part in these activities; firearm owners, sportsmen, hunters, recreational shooters and gun collectors who have legally purchased firearms (knives, jewelry, antiques and other items) that have incorporated ivory features for decades. 

Historically, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service maintained the position that most ivory in the U.S. has been legally imported and that its sale in the U.S. did not materially contribute to the illegal ivory trade. Nevertheless, under SB 913, the sale, offering for sale, possession with intent to sell or importation for purchase or sale of any ivory or ivory product would be prohibited.  Virtually any lawful item containing any amount of ivory, with very limited and narrow exceptions, would be rendered valueless as it would be an offense for you to sell it or for another person to buy it.

The bottom line is: any property made from a product that was lawfully acquired should not be made illegal to sell; such an action is effectively a taking of property without compensation.  SB 913 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Committee on Judiciary next Tuesday, March 24, at 8:00 a.m., in HR 343.

Senate Bill 525, introduced by state Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson (D-25), would expand the list of those prohibited from owning firearms.  NRA does not support any expansion of the prohibited persons categories as defined by federal law.  SB 525 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Committee on Judiciary next Wednesday, March 25, at 8:00 a.m., in HR 343.

Please contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and politely urge them to OPPOSE SB 913 and SB 525.  Committee contact information is provided below.

Senate Judiciary Committee Members:

Senator Ginny Burdick (D-18)
(503) 986-1718
[email protected]

Senator Sarah Gelser (D-8)
(503) 986-1708
[email protected]  

Senator Jeff Kruse (R-1)
(503) 986-1701
[email protected] 

Senator Floyd Prozanski (D-4)
(503) 986-1704
[email protected] 

Senator Kim Thatcher (R-13)
(503) 986-1713
[email protected]