In light of the US Supreme Court decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen experts are taking a fresh look at Oregon's Initiative 17, a ballot measure being circulated by the left-wing group, Lift Every Voice Oregon.

The so-called Reduction of Gun Violence Act is 12 pages of regulations on firearm acquisition.

OPB is reporting that the initiative is likely to qualify for the ballot. If it qualifies, it may not pass constitutional muster -- at least now based on the new decision.

Justice Clarence Thomas wrote the opinion, saying, "In this case, petitioners and respondents agree that ordinary, law-abiding citizens have a similar right to carry handguns publicly for their self-defense. We too agree, and now hold, consistent with Heller and McDonald, that the Second and Fourteenth Amendments protect an individual’s right to carry a handgun for self-defense outside the home."

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Thomas summarized, "Because the State of New York issues public-carry licenses only when an applicant demonstrates a special need for self-defense, we conclude that the State’s licensing regime violates the Constitution."

Initiative 17 seems to go a direction that the court doesn't want to go. From the initiative text, "The People of the State of Oregon find and declare that regulation of sale, purchase and otherwise transferring of all firearms and restriction of the manufacture, import, sale, purchase, transfer, use and possession of ammunition magazines to those that hold no more than 10 rounds will promote the public health and safety of the residents of this state and this Act shall be known as the Reduction of Gun Violence Act."

Kevin Starrett of Oregon Firearms Federation noted, "This measure is about a lot more than 10 round magazines. It creates a new requirement that you get permission from your sheriff before you can even ask for permission from the State Police to buy a gun.

“We think most people who signed the petitions don’t understand the extreme nature of IP 17. We do know paid signature gatherers are promoting it by saying it’s about “background checks.” Something we’ve had for decades.

“We believe when people find out they won’t be able to even buy a firearm to protect themselves unless they have taken a class from police, which the police are not even obligated to give and may not be able to give, they’ll have second thoughts."


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-07-03 21:56:41

Last Update: 2022-07-04 09:17:20