The Sheriff's Office of Sherman County, Oregon has now put out a statement following the recent court ruling on Oregon's controversial gun control Measure 114. Sheriff Brad Lohrey expressed his concern over the absurdity of the recently proposed law.

His statement reads as follows:

Citizens of Sherman County and other supporters,

I would like to thank you all for the support you gave me and my office on resisting Measure 114. Measure 114 is an attack on one of our most beloved civil liberties, the right to keep and bear arms.

It is an attack on our ability to defend ourselves and our communities. Sherman County had the wisdom to vote an overwhelming 89% NO on this measure. However, a slight majority in the State of Oregon didn't feel the same way and they voted to take away the rights of the minority and surrender their own. Disgraceful.

As you likely know, I and others took the fight to Federal Court because this measure is clearly unconstitutional and it should not become law. After my team and I battled in Federal Court, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut ruled against us on July 14th.

Judge Immergut ruled that the ban on the sale or manufacture of large-capacity magazines and the requirement for a permit to purchase a gun are both constitutional. The existing case law from the U.S. Supreme Court and both the State and Federal Constitutions are plainly worded and any reasonable reading of these documents would show how the Judge is clearly wrong.

Here is the thing, there a are a lot of people out there that don't care what these documents say. They have an agenda and they are not comfortable with citizens exercising firearm rights. They want barriers to these rights. I'm sure they think they are protecting children and making their communities safer, but they are completely wrong and their solutions tend to also make it harder, or not even possible, for law-abiding citizens to defend themselves. Their solutions disrespect liberty.

While the measure is not in effect yet due to another lawsuit, I wouldn't be surprised if the pattern of rights violations continues. Unless there are some serious changes to how the measure is written, there is no way a permit can or will be issued. Even if I wanted to comply with the measure, the logistics and process make it impossible. You won't be able to buy a in gun in Oregon (at least legally) and you will have to worry about how many bullets you carry in your magazines (if you worry about unconstitutional laws).

I want to thank the following law enforcement leaders that cared enough to fight Measure 114 that they actually joined the lawsuit: Sheriff Cody Bowen, Sheriff Terry Rowen, Sheriff Brian Pixley, and Sheriff Brian Wolfe (retired). These gentlemen are true patriots that support the communities they serve.

A huge shout out to Kevin Starrett with Oregon Firearms Federation, who lead the charge. Attorneys Leonard W. Williamson and Stephen Joncus, and all the other attorneys on the team, did a great job. This fight is not over and there will be an appeal. Rest assured, we will not surrender our freedoms.

Sheriff Brad Lohrey

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

Attorney James L. Buchal has filed notice to appeal the recent ruling in U.S. District Court in Portland on behalf of the gun rights groups.

The Sherman County Sheriff is responsible for maintaining the peace within the county and is directly accountable to the people. Sherman County lies between the deep canyons of the John Day River on the east and the Deschutes River on the west in north central Oregon.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-07-19 19:09:17

Last Update: 2023-07-19 19:34:34