The Pacific Northwest is in the midst of what could easily be called a “Gunfight On the Columbia River”—which may sound like the title of a 1950s Audie Murphy “B” western but is painfully accurate for gun rights activists—with a final order on Measure 114 in Oregon and a continuing stream of extremist gun control bills in Washington.
Harney County Circuit Judge Robert Raschio has signed his “final order” striking down Measure 114 as unconstitutional. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum is already promising to appeal. The measure passed narrowly by voters in November 2022 would require completion of a guns safety course in order to obtain a permit to purchase a firearm in the Beaver State. The measure also bans so-called “large capacity magazines.”
As noted by the Salem Statesman Journal, the measure “has been tied up in state and federal court since it was approved by voters.” Two of the four federal lawsuits challenging the measure were filed by the Second Amendment Foundation and assorted partners.
With the Oregon Legislature ready to convene next month in Salem, the “prevailing wisdom” among gun rights activists is that the Democrat majority will try several ways to get around Judge Raschio’s ruling, even while Rosenblum is appealing.
Meanwhile, north of the Columbia, Democrats in the Washington Legislature are dishing out all kinds of gun control proposals, including a new measure to tax ammunition and add more restrictions on firearms dealers.
House Bill 2238 is sponsored by “the usual suspects.” It would add a new section to state law, creating an 11 percent tax on the sale of ammunition in addition to existing federal, state and local taxes. The bill language says this new revenue will be “appropriated to agencies and programs that are focused on gun violence prevention, including domestic violence prevention and suicide prevention programs.
The first question that must be asked is why honest gun owners should be expected to pay for such programs in the first place.
Critics have serious arguments, including this one posted online at the Facebook page of the Washington Legislative Action Group:
“This bill is another disingenuous attempt by the Democrats in Olympia to try to place further barriers to law abiding gun owners. Their gun-grabbing efforts are being thwarted by the judicial system, so in absent a complete disarming of the citizens, they do the next best thing, make it difficult to exercise their right. This bill is wrapped around the issue of veteran suicide, who could be against working to reduce that?? Unwrap the package and get the surprise inside!!”
Here are the bill’s sponsors, and by clicking on each name, readers can find contact information: Representatives Jessica Bateman, Liz Berry, Lauren Davis, Beth Doglio, Davina Duerr, Mary Fosse, Roger Goodman, Shelley Kloba, Nicole Macri, Gerry Pollet, Alex Ramel, Julia Reed, Kristine Reeves, Sharon Tomiko Santos, and My-Linh Thai.
The second gun control bill under heavy criticism is House Bill 2118. Many of the same people are sponsoring this measure, which would establish “additional requirements for the business operations of licensed firearms dealers.” This bill includes requirements for gun store security, right down to securing firearms during business hours and while the shop is closed, everything from security cameras to bars on the windows.
Critics are calling on gun owners to “flood” the legislature with messages of opposition. One man wrote, “Can’t buy guns in WA if there’s no one that can afford to be open.”
Another man posted this message on the Washington Legislative group’s Facebook page:
“In no way will this help reduce gun violence. Criminals intent on causing harm will do so regardless of any law. The government is not able to protect individuals, therefore it’s the right of the individual to protect themselves. Read the Constitution.”
Ammoland News has already covered other gun control legislation and the wish list of the Seattle-based gun prohibition lobby.
MEANWHILE: There is plenty of drama unfolding in a New York Courtroom, where the trial has just started this week involving serious allegations of misuse of member funds by National Rifle Association officials. The trial could go six weeks or more, and is being covered daily by veteran reporter Jim Shepherd, editor at The Outdoor Wire.
Soon-to-be-retired NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre has been in the courtroom; he announced his resignation last Friday, effective Jan. 31. Coverage is heavy, and a story in the Washington Post has garnered the kind of hateful comments about the organization that are predictable from typical WaPo readers.
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About Dave Workman
Dave Workman is a senior editor at TheGunMag.com and Liberty Park Press, author of multiple books on the Right to Keep & Bear Arms, and formerly an NRA-certified firearms instructor.
