NRA Challenges Oregon Gun Ban

The National Rifle Association today announced the filing of a joint legal challenge with the Oregon Hunters Association to contest the state of Oregon’s Initiative Petition 43, which seeks to ban commonly owned semi-automatic firearms and standard-capacity magazines.

 “Banning the most popular style of semi-automatic firearms and standard capacity magazines is a violation of the Second Amendment,” said Chris Cox, executive director of NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “Misleading voters into believing that these type of bans will have any effect on violent criminals is reckless and dangerous. Proposals like these give criminals the upper hand against law-abiding gun owners.”

 If passed, Initiative Petition 43 would ban semi-automatic firearms including rifles, pistols and shotguns, based only on their cosmetic features. It would also ban standard-capacity magazines and semi-automatic firearms with a fixed magazine holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Anyone in legal possession of these firearms or magazines would be required to sell, surrender, register, or remove them from the state.

 "Measure 43 is the most serious assault we've ever had on our right to hunt or defend ourselves with the firearm of choice," according to Paul Donheffner, legislative chairman for the Oregon Hunters Association. "This measure would prohibit  the use of most semi-automatic guns on all public lands in Oregon. This is a major impact on hunting, target shooting or carrying a gun for self-defense while being on public lands."

The initiative must receive 88,184 valid signatures by July 6 in order to appear on the November ballot; however, they cannot begin signature gathering until the legal challenge is resolved.

Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportsmen's group. More than five million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services. Be sure to follow the NRA on Facebook at NRA on Facebook and Twitter @NRA.