Category: OFF Alerts

What follows is an e-mail response from House Speaker Dave Hunt to people who have contacted him to express opposition to HB  2530.

HB 2530 would allow the Department of Human Services to dictate to foster parents, the manner in which they would be required to store, transport and use their firearms.

Hunt insists that the bill “in no way restricts a foster parent’s right to own guns.”  To no one’s surprise, Hunt has decided to play word games with the truth. Hunt seems to believe that gun owners can’t read.  The fact is, the bill turns over to the Department of Human Services, total dictatorial power to control the “storage, transportation and use of firearms and ammunition in the presence of children placed in a foster home.”

Somehow, Dave Hunt thinks that having a notoriously anti-gun state agency making rules about every aspect of gun ownership “in no way restricts a foster parent’s right to own guns.”

That’s like saying that you may own a car, but the state will tell you where, when and how often you can drive it, and then insist they are not restricting your right to own it. Looks like we are in for another long session of double talk.

It is simply absurd that the state would seek to discourage parents from caring for foster children by imposing rules that could very well leave those children defenseless in the case of a criminal attack. Hunt and his allies like to talk about “the children” but are clearly more interested in ramming through new restrictions on rights then they are in protecting Oregon’s neediest.

Please contact Hunt and tell him that you don’t want an agency that created rules forbidding toys that shot ping pong balls, making rules for every aspect of gun ownership. Tell him to can the double talk and kill the bill.

Contact info and a sample message follow.

________________________________________________________

Dear Speaker Hunt,

I have seen your response to voters who oppose HB 2530. I am disappointed that you would choose to play word games instead of addressing the problems with the bill. You claim that the bill will “in no way restrict a foster parent’s right to own guns.This is simply nonsense. If DHS creates the rules  regulating the storage, transportation and use of firearms and ammunition, “ownership” becomes meaningless.

Please stop using your office to placate anti-gun state agencies and stand up for the rights of foster parents.

Yours,

_______________________________

Dave Hunt  rep.davehunt@state.or.us
900 Court St. NE, H-269
Salem, OR 97301
Phone:
503-986-1440

From: Rep Hunt
To:XXX
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 4:18 PM
Subject: RE: NO HB 2530
Dear Mr.XXXX,

Thank you for contacting me with your concerns about House Bill 2530. Your feedback is important to me and helps inform the actions I take in the Legislature.

I share your commitment to protecting the right of Oregonians to own firearms. Let me assure you that this bill in no way restricts a foster parent’s right to own guns. The specific language of the bill says the following:
“The Department may not deny or revoke certification of a foster home on the basis that a person possesses firearms or ammunition or is licensed under ORS 166.291 and ORS 166.292 to carry a concealed handgun”
This language explicitly protects the right of foster parents to own guns. Specifically, House Bill 2530 relates to the storage of guns and related issues, but does not infringe on the right to own firearms.

It is the responsibility of the Department of Human Services to ensure that children in foster homes are safe. This bill would grant case workers the right to cite when guns are not stored appropriately. This bill gives them the ability to make rules around the proper storage of guns so that they are kept out of the reach of children.

Those who choose to be foster parents are giving the greatest possible gift to a child in need, a house and a safe place to stay. We have no intention of discouraging these generous individuals from continuing to do this meaningful work.

Thanks for writing me. I hope this clears up the intention of this bill. It is an honor representing you in the Oregon House of Representatives and I hope you will continue to write me about issues that are important to you.

Sincerely,

Dave Hunt
State Representative
Speaker of the House
http://www.state.leg.or.us

Representative Sara Gelser has introduced the first bill attacking the rights of gun owners, but her bill also attacks the rights of foster parents.

HB 2530 gives the Department of Human Services the right to dictate to foster parents how they can own firearms. In addition to being another attack against Oregon’s preemption statute, it is a slap in the face of all the Oregonians who open their homes to the state’s neediest children.

In October 2007, OFF met with legislators,staffers and bureaucrats to resolve the problem of DHS making unlawful rules for foster parents. At the time, DHS had rules so ridiculous and draconian, that a foster family could not have a toy that shot ping pong balls or marshmallows. Gelser wants to give DHS the right to create such rules again.

Because of the intercession of former House Rep. Jerry Krummel and his aide, Dawn Phillips, along with House Rep. Jeff Barker, DHS was forced to back down on its unlawful and dangerous mandates. But at the meeting was Representative Sara Gelser.

Her position then was that foster parents should not be allowed to have access to the firearms that might very well be used to save the lives of the children they had taken in.

At the meeting she was repeatedly asked to provide a single example of a foster family that had handled firearms irresponsibly. She could not provide even one.

Now she has sponsored a bill to attack the people who are stepping up to provide a home for children who would otherwise be at the mercy of the streets. This is unconscionable.

Please take a moment to contact House Speaker Dave Hunt and let him know that attacks on foster parents, at a time when we need as many foster parents as possible, are unwarranted and uncalled for.

Contact info and sample message follow:

_____________________________________

Dear Speaker Hunt,

Sara Gelser’s bill, HB 2530, is an insult to the people who have stepped up to care for Oregon’s most defenseless and needy children. It is hard to believe that in these times of economic crisis, the legislature would be considering  a bill that would discourage people from caring for children who desperately need a home. Please use your power as Speaker to stop HB 2530.

Sincerely,

_____________________________________

House Speaker Dave Hunt:
rep.davehunt@state.or.us
_______________________________________

Eric Holder, The New Chief Law Enforcement Officer.

Eric Holder was confirmed as the new US Attorney General today.

Holder is a vicious anti-gun partisan and a person who was happy to trade presidential pardons for some cold cash, or hoped for votes, to the Clintons.

This man will now be in charge of prosecuting gun owners.

Senator Leahy, a Vermont Democrat,made this astonishing comment:

“That strong, bipartisan vote in favor was a statement that members from both sides of the aisle recognize that Mr. Holder has the character, integrity and independence to be Attorney General,It is a statement that we all want to restore the integrity and competence of the Justice Department and to restore another critical component — the American people’s confidence in federal law enforcement.”

Every Democrat Senator and 17 Republicans voted in favor of turning over the Justice Department to a man who expedited “get out of jail free” cards to anyone with the loot to grease the Clinton machine and defended the murders of the Branch Davidians and the abduction of Elian Gonzalez.  Welcome to “integrity Obama style.”

The Clinton machine is back. Bring cash.

Both Oregon Senators, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley signed onto Holder’s confirmation.The entire vote count can be seen here.

1.29.09  HOLDER CONFIRMED BY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, FULL SENATE TO VOTE NEXT.

The confirmation of Eric Holder to be the chief law enforcement officer of America is profoundly disturbing.

His record of believing that Americans have no right to own a firearm, and his defense of such actions as the killing of the Branch Davidians, should make every gun owner, and every citizen, very fearful.

His history of exchanging pardons for payoffs should outrage every American. But unfortunately, few American Senators are concerned about standards. On the committee that approved Holder’s confirmation, only Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK) and John Cornyn (R-TX) voted against him.

He now has the public and vocal support of Arlen Specter and Orin Hatch. The NRA will not oppose his nomination and will not use this confirmation vote when it rates Senators.

This train is most certainly rolling.

Oregon now has two anti-gun senators. Ron Wyden’s antipathy towards guns and gun owners is legendary. Jeff Merkley has yet to amass a record as egregious as Wyden’s but has shown no interest in bucking his party’s line.There is little likelihood that either Senator will oppose Holder based on the concerns of gun owners.

But Holder’s problems go well beyond his hatred for gun rights. Please take a moment to contact Wyden and Merkley and remind them that Holder is a throwback to the endless corruption of the Clinton years. Holder is certainly not “change.”

A sample message and contact info follow:

_____________________________________________________________________

Dear Senator,

I am deeply troubled that the US Senate will soon be considering Eric Holder to be our next Attorney General.

The current administration was elected on a promise of “change.”  If enlisting beltway insiders who approved pardons for payoffs is “change” it’s change we can do without.

It makes no sense to decry the behavior of past administrations and then hire someone who is this ethically challenged. I will consider any vote for Eric Holder to be a vote against honest government.

Very truly yours,

____________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Ron Wyden   http://wyden.senate.gov/contact/   (webform)

Jeff Merkley   senator@merkley.senate.gov

The Wolves Are At The Door.

Obama is moving swiftly to build an administration that will reflect his statist worldview. The second Clinton administration is forming.

Gun hating Hillary Clinton (Billing records? What billing records?) has been confirmed as the new Secretary of State, and Timothy Geithner, a tax evader who spent 5 years at the Federal Reserve Bank, but had no clue about the collapse of our economy, is about to be the boss of the Treasury Department, charged with… repairing our economy.

If you’re not terrified, you’re not paying attention. But for gun owners, the news is far more ominous.

Clinton  Obama is determined to appoint, as head of the “Justice” department, a man whose unbridled hatred for gun owners is legendary. We simply must do everything we can to stop this nightmare from happening.

Obama’s pick for Attorney General, Eric Holder, is so completely a tool of the freedom-hating establishment that you can rest assured he will do all he can to eliminate gun rights in America. Holder was the second in command for Janet Reno when she ordered the murderous gassing, burning, and shooting of dozens of women and children at Waco.

He demonstrated his total lack of ethics when he expedited the pardon of a felon who just happened to toss a yacht load of money to the Clintons.  He bragged about the “compassionate” treatment Elian Gonzalez received at the point of a federal agent’s sub-machine gun.  He submitted briefs to the Supreme Court urging them to declare your right to own a firearm void. A confirmation of Holder is an express lane back to the days when innocents could be gunned down by government thugs with impunity.

Even people who don’t care about gun rights should be horrified that this person is in line to run the Justice Department.

Please, no matter how busy you are, take a few minutes to let your Senators know that you are outraged that they would consider this man for a job of such importance.
Let them know that the right hand man of Janet Reno is most certainly NOT “Change you can believe in.”
Several Republicans have postponed confirmation of Holder. They did not do this because Holder is a committed enemy of gun owners, but it still gives us a little precious time. Call or e-mail Senators Wyden and Merkley right now. The clock is running out on freedom.

A sample message and contact info follows:

_____________________________________________________________________

Dear Senator,

Eric Holder is not “change we can believe in.” He is more of the same ethically bankrupt, “favors for money” politics from the past.  I truly expect better from you and this administration. I urge you to vote  “NO” on Eric Holder’s confirmation.

Truly yours,

__________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Ron Wyden

Jeff Merkley

Clearly Obama is wasting no time promoting his gun grabbing agenda. The White House website already lists some of his plans:

“They support closing the gun show loophole and making guns in this country childproof. They also support making the expired federal Assault Weapons Ban permanent. “

Eric Holder, Obama’s pick to run the Justice Department is nothing short of a nightmare for gun owners.

Holder has made a career out of attacking gun owners’ rights and believes you have no individual right to own a gun.  Now is the time to let Jeff Merkley, your new US Senator. know that you oppose Holder’s nomination and will consider any vote to confirm him an open assault on your rights. There is not much time. Please contact Merkley now.  Contact information and a sample e-mail follow.

_____________________________________________________________

 

Dear Senator Merkley,

Eric Holder has made no secret of his animosity towards gun owners and the Second Amendment. His behavior during the Clinton administration demonstrates that his judgment is guided by politics not principles.  A vote to confirm Holder is a vote against the rights of gun owners in your state. I urge you in the strongest possible terms to say “NO” to Eric Holder.

Very truly yours,

__________________

____________________________________________________________

B40B DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON DC 20510
DC Phone: 202-224-3753
E-mail: senator@merkley.senate.gov
Portland Senate Office
One World Trade Center
121 SW Salmon Street, Suite 1250
Portland, OR 97204
503-326-3386

Sarah Brady’s Wish List For Obama

Happy New Year.

As you know, the issue of concealed handgun licenses being made public has gotten a lot of attention lately.

The issue first surfaced as a result of the anti-gun, “Medford Mail Tribune” seeking all the CHL holders names in Jackson County in order to find out the names of any teachers who might have CHL’s. The Jackson County Sheriff refused to reveal the names and chose instead to protect the privacy of license holders.

As you might expect, the Tribune sued to get this information and won in court. The Jackson County Sheriff, in an effort to protect CHL holders from having their names, addresses and other personal information turned over to a newspaper with a vocally anti-gun agenda, appealed. That case is awaiting a hearing in Oregon’s Appeals Court.

Since then, an organization called “Oregon Gun Owners” has demanded the names and addresses of all CHL holders state wide and has used that information to send out fundraising letters in an attempt to build a database of gun owners.

As a result of that, many sheriffs are refusing to divulge this information. Even Clackamas County Sheriff, Craig Roberts, who turned over all the personal information on CHL holders to “Oregon Gun Owners” has changed his policy and is now asking CHL holders to inform him if they want their private information to be kept private. (A little late to be sure, but it’s a start.)

OFF is working with legislators on a bill to protect the privacy of CHL holders. We have received a draft and expect it to be introduced very early in the session which starts on Monday, January 12th. It may even be “pre-session filed.”

Now, Josephine County Sheriff Gil Gilberston has agreed to a meeting with concerned gun owners, and others. What follows is the information about the meeting that we have received from OFF member Damon Mancuso who was responsible for making this meeting happen.

“An Evening With Sheriff Gil Gilbertson
Should concealed handgun permit holders information remain private? Should the media be allowed to publish the names and address of permit holders?
Sheriff Gilbertson recently stated his opinion on this issue, and his strong belief in the Constitution, specifically the 2nd amendment.
This will be the central topic of discussion, as well as other 2nd amendment related issues, such as “restricted shooting districts”. This will be an open forum, with questions from the audience welcome. As time allows we will also discuss the ongoing funding issue, and the future of Josephine County Law Enforcement.
Plan on attending this informative meeting and learn more about this important issue, the Sheriff’s position, and how this affects you. “

Tuesday, January 13th
7:00pm-8:30pm
Redwood Grange
1830 Redwood Ave, Grants Pass

For info call 541-291-3158 or e-mail mancuso@grantspass.com

CHANGES MADE FOR BACKGROUND CHECKS

UPDATED JUNE 2011.

Since early 2011, we have received a spike in complaints about delays and denials once again.So the following information is out of date. Although OSP had improved their performance doing background checks, we are back where we started in terms of slow service and unjustified delays.  A bill we drafted in the 2011 legislative session which would have turned over background checks to the NICS system died in the Ways and Means Committee after state workers from the ID unit of OSP testified that if NICS handled the background checks they might lose their jobs and Oregon’s economy would collapse. The Oregon legislature caved.

For several years, OFF has received a large volume of correspondence from Oregonians who had been delayed for firearms purchases for reasons the buyers often could not understand.

It has always been OFF’s position that background checks and requests for permission to exercise a right turn that right into a privilege, but until we can do away with these unconstitutional burdens we believe it is important to prevent as many obstacles to gun possession as possible.

At our request, the Oregon State Police ID unit agreed to review their polices and procedures concerning background checks.

OFF had several meetings with the OSP ID Unit and we are pleased to be able to report substantial progress and cooperation from the Oregon State Police.

OSP has rewritten their guide for gun dealers in Oregon and removed errors such as a statement that a transfer could not be made without an approval. In fact, in the absence of denial, transfers can take place after three business days have elapsed even if there is a “delay” or “pend.”

The new manual reflects this and should be helpful for dealers who were unsure whether they could, in fact, deliver a firearm before an “approval” was issued. If you are experiencing delays because a dealer won’t release a firearm without an approval, you can take them a copy of this letter from the State Police clearly saying the transfer MAY take place. They are not required to release it, but if they refuse you should find a smarter dealer.

The State Police will be sending a letter out to all Oregon gun dealers with information including new phone numbers that buyers can use to request information about delays and denials. The State Police have informed us that they plan to have an improved response to those inquiries.

OSP will also be providing dealers with handouts to give to customers with contact info in the event of a delay or denial.

For buyers who have questions about delays and denials, the new number to request information is 503-373-1808 EX 327. The State Police have promised to respond to questions about delays and denials promptly.

OSP also plans to post all this information and current documents on their website.

OREGON APPEALS COURT DEALS MAJOR BLOW TO GUN RIGHTS IN OREGON

An Oregon Appeals Court decision has found that your car is now considered a “public place.” That means that possessing a loaded firearm in a vehicle may be considered a crime if the locality in which you are traveling has a ban on open loaded carry.

This ruling is bizarre in light of how Oregon law defines “public place.” ORS 161.015 defines public place this way:

(10) “Public place” means a place to which the general public has access and includes, but is not limited to, hallways, lobbies and other parts of apartment houses and hotels not constituting rooms or apartments designed for actual residence, and highways, streets, schools, places of amusement, parks, playgrounds and premises used in connection with public passenger transportation.

The case, Bryan Ward VS State of Oregon, dealt with an arrest, by a Portland Police officer, of a person who had an unconcealed handgun in his car.

It has always been our position that open carry in a vehicle was clearly protected by Oregon law. ORS 166.250 clearly states that except for CHL holders, it is concealed carry in a vehicle that is prohibited. It further states that the prohibition against concealed, loaded carry in a vehicle does not apply to”a recreational vessel or recreational vehicle while used, for whatever period of time, as residential quarters.”

The Appeals Court decision turns on its head Oregon’s preemption statute which allows only the state legislature to regulate possession of firearms, except for loaded carry in public places. If your car is now considered a “public place” will a law enforcement officer need a warrant to search it?

The Court concludes “When read together, ORS 166.173 and 161.015(1) clearly allow local governments to regulate the possession of loaded firearms on their streets and highways.”

But ORS 166.173 states”166.173 Authority of city or county to regulate possession of loaded firearms in public places. (1) A city or county may adopt ordinances to regulate, restrict or prohibit the possession of loaded firearms in public places as defined in ORS 161.015.” and 161.015, as noted above, clearly defines a “public place” as a place to which the general public has access. ” It is not ambiguous in any way.

The Court also reaches conclusions that seem to have no bearing on this case at all. In their decision, they state the following :

“Moreover, ORS 166.173(2)(c)–which exempts persons licensed to carry concealed weapons from local loaded firearms regulations–demonstrates that the legislature anticipated situations in which persons may possess concealed, loaded firearms in a public place. The legislature chose to exempt such persons from local regulations based on their possession of a certain type of permit, despite the fact that a concealed firearm, although otherwise in a “public place,” is not kept in a place to which the “general public has access.”

But this case is not about concealed handguns. CHL holders are exempt from many restrictions that non-license holders are subject to, and the legislature made very specific rules about vehicles and firearms possession which clearly allow open carry without a license while in a car. If a car is a “public place” then why even have laws specifically dealing with possession in a vehicle when the limits on carrying in “public places” would apply  to cars anyway?

Oregon’s preemption law was created specifically to prevent a person from inadvertently breaking the law as he moved around the state. This ruling is a major setback for gun rights in Oregon and puts many people at risk simply by crossing into a town or city that has onerous and unposted rules. OFF is considering what further legal action can be taken, and in the meantime warns gun owners to be very careful when traveling in Oregon.

LICENSE HOLDER’S PRIVACY IN PERIL

Oregon Firearms Federation supporters have received, or soon will receive, a Political Action Committee mailing from us urging them to take advantage of Oregon’s PAC tax credit law to support gun rights at no cost to them. Many will also be receiving a letter asking for donations to the political action committee of a group called “Oregon Gun Owners.”

“Oregon Gun Owners” is not affiliated in any way with OFF. “Oregon Gun Owners” is the organization that helped write HB2535 in 1999. This bill was intended to end private sales at gun shows and require that your firearms be kept locked up. When OFF killed that bill in the 1999 session, “Oregon Gun Owners” attempted to place a measure on the 2000 ballot to achieve similar ends, but failed to collect enough signatures. A similar measure authored by Ginny Burdick made the ballot and was passed into law as Ballot Measure 5.

We have received a copy of the mailing done by “Oregon Gun Owners.”  It was sent to a woman with a CHL whose name appears on no mailing lists for gun owners except the Clackamas County Sheriff’s CHL list. It was mailed to a PO box that she uses for no other purpose except her CHL.

The Clackamas County Sheriff has notified license holders that he will reveal their names if asked.

A recent news story indicated that Portland law firm O’Donnell,Clark & Crew was requesting the names of license holders on behalf of an “unnamed group.”

Apparently they were successful in getting the names of Clackamas County residents. We do not know what other counties may have made this information available. (An associate of O’Donnell and Clark was part of a team of lawyers that represented OFF in a lawsuit several years ago.We do not support their current efforts.)

As you know, some sheriffs are attempting to safeguard the names of license holders in their counties and began their efforts after O’Donnell and Clark made the request for the names.  We will leave it you to connect the dots.

Once again, gun rights supporters should know that  “Oregon Gun Owners” has no connection to OFF in any way. OFF fully supports the efforts of sheriffs to protect the private information of CHL holders in the current climate and warns Clackamas County residents that their information is public knowledge and available to anyone who asks, for any purpose.

HS PRECISION SHOVES ITS FOOT FURTHER DOWN ITS MOUTH

Demonstrating the marketing skills of a pipe wrench, the geniuses at HS Precision, who marketed their rifles with a testimonial from an FBI sniper who shot and killed an unarmed woman, (whom he claimed he was not even aiming at) have released the following “statement.”

To Our Valued Customers:
H-S Precision has received comments relating to individual testimonials in our 2008 catalog. All of the testimonials focused on the quality, accuracy and customer service provided by H-S Precision.
The management of H-S Precision did not intend to offend anyone or create any type of controversy. We are revising our 2009 catalog and removing all product testimonials.
Sincerely,
The Management of H-S Precision

In spite of  almost universal outrage and astonishment by gun owners, (meaning their CUSTOMERS) HS has decided that this anemic, laughable, and embarrassing response will be enough to put their despicable behavior behind them.

To see the original statement on their website, click on the “2008 Catalog Statement” under the “News” link on the upper right side of the page.

HS Precision thought it was a grand idea to promote their rifles using the services of a man famous for one thing, killing someone he claimed he never intended to shoot.

Now they expect the people who were horrified by this position, to accept an explanation that doesn’t even reach the level of “lame.”

If they build their rifles this way, we strongly suggest you shop elsewhere.

H-S PRECISION, INC.
1301 TURBINE DRIVE,
RAPID CITY, SD 57703
(605) 341-3006 TEL
(605) 342-8964 FAX
info@hsprecision.com

GUN RESTRICTIONS IN NATIONAL PARKS EASED – GUN BAN IN NATIONAL PARKS NO LONGER COMPLETE.

Today the Department of the Interior announced a rule change that
would allow concealed firearms in National Parks.

The new rule comes with plenty of restrictions however.

Only persons with concealed handgun licenses would be permitted to carry, and then only if they met all the requirements of the state in which the National Park was located.

In Oregon, Crater Lake is our only National Park, so Oregonians with CHL’s will now be allow to protect themselves, however, since Oregon recognizes no other states’ licenses, visitors to our state will still be at the mercy of criminals there.

It’s a small victory, but we have a long way to go.
Press Relase:
http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/120508.html

Rule:
http://www.doi.gov/issues/Final%20Rule.pdf
_________________________________________________

MORE ON HS PRECISION

HS PRECISION DIGS IN ITS HEELS

In spite of an avalanche of e-mails,  HS Precision, (the rifle and stock maker that promoted its products with a glowing endorsement from hired killer Lon Horiuchi) has decided to ignore gun owners who expressed outrage at this bit of marketing insanity. (The company was even mocked by Tom Gresham of GunTalk last Sunday.)

But in spite of HS’s decision to ignore gun owners (in order to placate their big government customers) your efforts have not been unsuccessful. AR15.com reports a response they received from Remington Arms, a regular customer of HS.

While we have not been able to see the original e-mail at this time,or prove its authenticity,a review of Remington’s website did indicate that they no longer have any mention of HS Precision there, as was noted in the reported e-mail.
(Except for, apparently here and here. Guess they missed a few.)

(Questions about the authenticity of the e-mail seem to have been answered.)

But now is not the time to let HS off the hook. What does Remington mean when it says HS should “reverse course?” They won’t use a hired killer to endorse their products in the future? Big deal.

Anyone distributing their products needs to hear from gun owners.

Any business relationship with HS is an endorsement of their outrageous policies and callous disregard for innocent human life.

A list of their hunting distributors can be seen here.

A list of their international distributors can be seen here.

A list of their stock distributors can be seen here.
(Note this HS web page has a bad link for Cabela’s. They link to a cable website. The correct link is http://www.cabelas.com/ )

A list of their “tactical” distributors can be seen here.

A weird page with satin gloves and pearls,(which thanks to Lon Horiuchi, Vicky Weaver will never get the chance to wear) can be found here.

If you patronize any of these businesses, they need to know that you are disgusted that they would be promoting products that are hawked by a sniper who shot an unarmed woman through the head, while she held her infant daughter.

It has been reliably reported to us that HS Precision considers the people who have contacted them to be “kooks” and “fringe element.”  Apparently Remington does not share the same disdain for their customers.

We strongly believe that a company that is far more interested in the approval of government agencies than American gun owners is a danger to all of us.

Companies like HS put profits before principles. They are acting as agents for government agencies that seek to attack gun owners, even if it means gunning them down. As long as HS remains in business, the message is clear; gun owners are expendable, gun hating federal agencies will continue to be accommodated.

Since HS has no interest in addressing the outrage of gun owners (who rightfully consider a hired killer to be a poor spokesman for a firearms manufacturer) we think it’s time to turn our attention to their business partners. We hope you do too.

Oregon Gun Owners Closer To Another Victory

For a lot longer than we would have liked, Oregon Firearms Federation has been battling to force government agencies to obey Oregon law.

Oregon’s Department of Administrative Services has long had policies that violated Oregon’s preemption statute dealing with firearms possession.In a post from 2007, we clearly thought we had solved that problem. But nothing is as slippery or slow as a bureaucrat.

Now after several years of efforts by us, and some tireless pro-gun legislators (like Senator elect Brian Boquist) and their staffs, it looks like we may have made some real headway.

We have now received this proposed change of rules by DAS. As you can see, they have eliminated the illegal prohibitions on firearms they once had in buildings they controlled.

There will be a public hearing on the rule changes on December 22nd at 10 am in Salem, We encourage gun owners and especially CHL holders to attend.

The location for the hearing is 1225 Ferry St SE Salem OR, 97301 in the Mt. Ashland Conference Room.

If you cannot attend, please send comments in favor of this rule change to Scott Harra at
Scott.Harra@das.state.or.us

This could be a great, and long fought, victory for gun owners at a time when gun rights are clearly in peril.

We encourage you to attend the hearing or contact Scott Harra and voice your support for the rules change. A sample message follows:

———————————————————————

To Department of Administrative Services,

I strongly support the proposed rule change to bring DAS’s policies in line with Oregon law.

DAS, like every state agency, should respect the clear language in Oregon law dealing with persons who have obtained Oregon concealed handgun licenses.

Very truly yours,

_______________________