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Senate Bill 243 and its sweeping amendments are an alarming attack on your constitutional right to keep and bear arms. The amendment to SB 243 would:
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Strip 18-to-20-year-olds of their constitutional right to buy firearms, relegating them to a short list of outdated long guns while banning handguns entirely, leaving young adults defenseless and shattering rural traditions.
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Impose a punitive three-day waiting period on firearm purchases, stalling law-abiding citizens desperate for protection—especially victims of abuse or stalking—while piling pointless delays on those already vetted by Oregon’s strict background checks.
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Ban unloaded firearms from vast swathes of public buildings, and vague “adjacent grounds,” disarming permit holders, creating soft targets for shooters, and sowing confusion with unclear boundaries.
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Turn law-abiding gun owners into criminals overnight by outlawing the possession of commonly used rapid-fire activators—firearm accessories rarely tied to crime—while slamming manufacturers and sellers with felony charges.
But beyond these infringements on your rights, this bill does nothing to address the real issues driving gun deaths—mental health and violent crime.
Between 2019 and 2023, Oregon recorded 3,125 firearm-related deaths. Shockingly, 77% of these were suicides. While Oregon ranks among the worst states for mental health treatment access, we continue to see one of the highest rates of mental illness. Yet, rather than addressing these root causes, SB 243 imposes more restrictions that will do little to stop crime or reduce suicides.
Adding to our concerns, the process behind this bill has been an abuse of power. A 23-page amendment with sweeping new gun control measures was dropped just one day before the public hearing—replacing what was originally a half-page study bill. This last-minute maneuver has robbed Oregonians of the transparency and input they deserve, and it's being utilized more and more by unaccountable Democrats.
It’s time to reject this bill and focus on what will actually make Oregon safer. We need to tackle the mental health crisis and ensure we are enforcing existing laws to put criminals away—rather than punishing law-abiding citizens.
Take Action: Submit your written testimony against SB 243 by 3:00 PM tomorrow, Saturday, March 29th. Let your voice be heard and protect your rights!
SUBMIT WRITTEN TESTIMONY HERE.
Thank you for your continued support in protecting the Second Amendment and standing up for the rights of responsible gun owners.
Previous Newsletters
3/5/2025 Bad Bill Alert: Democrats Want to Control How You Rebuild Your Home
3/3/2025 Bad Bill Alert: Democrats Want to Tax Your Tires
2/17/2025 Defending Oregonians from Bad Policies & Government Overreach
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1/29/2025 Fighting for A Better Future for Oregon Students
1/24/2025 Your Voice Matters: How You Can Engage in the 2025 Legislative Session
1/17/2025Welcome to the 83rd Legislative Assembly!
1/13/2025 Republican Leaders Respond to Governor Kotek’s State of the State Address
12/10/2024 Tackling Wildfire Costs, Budget Missteps, & Housing Solutions
11/20/2024 Insights & Updates from the Oregon Senate Republican Caucus
Capitol Phone for the Senate Republican Caucus: 503-986-1950
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-323, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email the Senate Republican Leader, Daniel Bonham:
Sen.DanielBonham@oregonlegislature.gov
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