|
In a time when the State of Oregon faces a
budget with an estimated cost-overrun of $1.8 billion, when Oregon public
schools rank near the bottom of the class compared to the other 49 States, when
uncertainty exists about adequate funding for roads, bridges and public safety
— Democrats are focusing time and energy on legislation that further erodes your
gun rights.
Senate Bill 797 claims to fix two important
loopholes in current law: First, the so-called “Boyfriend” loophole and second, the
“Charleston” Loophole. I love how Democrats use language to obfuscate what is
really going on by using the word “Loophole”. The way they describe this bill
it sounds like someone is getting away with something that they shouldn’t. Do
not be fooled.
The proposed boyfriend loophole would prevent
an abusive boyfriend from owning a gun. This sounds like a good thing on the
surface. However, first and foremost, if you or someone you know is in an
abusive relationship, please seek help and get out. Visit the National Domestic
Violence Hotline (http://www.thehotline.org) or call
1-800-799-7233. No one should suffer an abusive relationship.
Democrats think if they take guns away that
magically the abusive boyfriend will stop their abuse. Unfortunately, this is
not how abusers operate. Gun or no gun, abusers will continue to abuse.
Moreover, Oregon statute already addresses this issue. An abuser loses their
gun rights when a court-ordered restraining order is placed against them. We do
not need an additional law. During my eight months of campaigning I do not
recall anyone saying, “Mr. Reschke, please create more restrictive laws and
rules for us to follow.” This boyfriend loophole fix does nothing to provide
additional safety. It falsely makes Democrats sound like they really care.
The second item Senate Bill 797 tries to fix is background checks.
Currently, if the State of Oregon cannot process your background check within three
days, the gun sale moves forward. Rather than address the real problem, which
is an inefficient background checking process, the Democrats want to infringe
on the constitutional right-to-bear-arms by delaying the sale of the gun —
which could be indefinitely. Let me say it a different way, this law encourages
government to be inefficient. Senate Bill 797 is a fluff bill that masquerades
around as something that will protect abuse victims and increase pubic safety.
Not true, it will do neither of those things. Furthermore, it is a distraction
from the important issue in the state of Oregon. The Democrats do not want you
thinking about Oregon’s $1.8 billion cost-overrun.
Rather than penalizing bureaucrats, your Second
Amendment Rights are infringed upon with Senate Bill 797. Democrats as a
majority party are not friendly to gun owners. The bottom-line result: Senate
Bill 797 provides incentive for the State to remain slow and inefficient in a
guise of public safety, instead of improving the gun background check process. We
all know the golden rule of gun ownership: “Those who control the guns, control
all.”
Your Liberty First,
 Capitol Phone: 503-986-1456
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-377, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.EWernerReschke@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/reschke
| 
