Category: Uncategorized

03.25.2023

Even before Measure 114 passed, the people behind it were admitting it was such a pile of crap that their lackeys in the legislature would have to fix it.

Even they could not have predicted that the “fix” would look like something drafted by crack head spider monkeys after a weekend of binge drinking.

Rational people would have been hard pressed to imagine that this deranged attack on common sense could have actually been made worse, but Floyd Prozanski was, apparently, up to the job.

The new bill, which is a gut and stuff of  short place holder bill SB 348 (which we told you would likely be used for this purpose) was just posted late yesterday. If you are interested in testifying on this bill we included info in our previous alert on how you can do that.

While it is far too complex, convoluted, poorly written, and contradictory to explain in depth (in fact, it may be impossible to explain at all) here are the lowlights we have found so far.

It will increase the cost of a “permit to purchase”. From $65.00 to $150.00.

It will increase the cost of a renewal from $50.00 to $110.00.

This change will be of interest to minority communities in low income, high crime areas. So much for “the consistent and equitable administration of the permitting process” (page 6 of the amendment.)

It will increase the wait time to get a permit after application from 30 days to 60 days.

Once again, people whose safety is at risk and live in places where the police simply do not respond will want to take special note of this provision.

The amendments still require that you complete a class that includes an:

“in-person demonstration of the applicant’s ability to lock, load, unload, fire and store a firearm before an instructor “approved” by a law enforcement agency.”

They provide no definition for what they mean by “lock.” We believe the word does not mean what they think it means.

It creates a 72 hour waiting period to take possession of a gun from a dealer AFTER you have gone through the process of getting a “permit.”  A process that does not, of course, exist.

It requires the State Police create a “report” which “shall additionally specify, for each county, racial and gender information concerning each applicant within the total number of permits granted…” though it’s not clear what “gender” actually means since that is now open to interpretation.

It forbids 18-20 year olds from even applying for permits to purchase, though it will allow those dangerous scoundrels to buy:

A) A single-shot rifle, whether centerfire or rimfire;

(B) A double-barreled shotgun;

(C) A repeating rifle, whether centerfire or rimfire, that has a bolt, lever, pump, straight-pull or revolving action;

(D) A rifle with an attached tubular magazine designed to accept,  and capable of operating only with, 0.22 caliber rimfire ammunition;

(E) A muzzleloader rifle; or

(F) A shotgun with a pump, break, level or revolving action

While the new language allows 18-20 year olds to buy pump action shotguns and “revolving action” shotguns, almost all of them are still banned under the magazine restrictions.

And even THOSE exemptions disappear for any purchase after July 1st, 2026 when 18-20 year olds will lose the right to acquire anything!

(18-20 year olds are still free to vote, get married, and serve in the military.)

And as always, it declares “an emergency” so it goes into effect upon passage.

There’s lots more, but the bill is written so badly it would be impossible to get it all into an alert shorter than “War and Peace.”

This year Oregon Democrats have decided to double down on some truly disgraceful legislation.  So far Oregon Republican House Leadership has decided to respond by doing…nothing. They are not even requiring that bills be completely read before a vote, something even the Republicans in the Senate are doing.

Astonishingly, House Republican Mark Owens said:

“I have found this to be the most bipartisan session I have participated in so far, where legislators are given the opportunity to have a voice. I am grateful for my colleagues’ intentional efforts to have a diverse range of bills in each committee, encompassing both liberal and conservative viewpoints.”

Well maybe Mark, but when a 64 page bill gets dumped two days before the “hearing,” the people sure as hell are not given the “opportunity to have a voice” …unless those people are anti-gun and got this info long ago.

The ball is squarely in the court of the Oregon Republican legislators. If they will not stand up to this kind of abuse, there is damn little reason for them to be there at all.

Some of them are sending out emails complaining about the outrageous gun bills and asking you to send them money. They don’t need money. They need a spine.

In spite of what they may tell you, they do have some tools left.  If they refuse to use them, you no longer matter to them.

The clock is ticking and there ain’t much time left.

These two are Republican “leadership.”  They need to hear from you.

Representative Vikki Breese Iverson

503-986-1459

Senator Tim Knopp

503-986-1727

Call today. Leave a message.

And if you want to see just how stupid the people pushing this crap are… here you go:

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/mediaplayer?clientID=4879615486&eventID=2023031310&startStreamAt=2466&stopStreamAt=2620

 

03.25.2023

As we warned you several times, the Oregon Democrats have taken a short, one page “place holder” bill and turned it into a 64 page re-write of gun laws.

The bill is a complete re-write of Measure 114.

We will be analyzing the amendments  and updating you as soon as possible, but you can read it all for yourself here:

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Downloads/ProposedAmendment/23695

The invited only “informational hearing” is Monday at 1PM.  We have no idea who will be invited but we expect the hearing to make sure as little “information” as possible will be presented.

A “public” hearing will follow at 5pm.

If you want to sign up to testify, or if you want to submit written testimony, there are links at the top of this page to do so:

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Measures/Overview/SB348

Obviously the short notice is designed to give you as little time as possible to analyze this monster or prepare a response.  You can rest assured the anti-gun crowd was given this long in advance as usual.

It’s the Oregon way.

03.21.2023

Today’s hearing on gun bills HB 2005, 2006, and 2007 was, not surprisingly, another game of “bait and switch” by Oregon Democrats.

OFF was invited to give testimony at this morning’s “informational hearing” and told we would be part of a three person panel. We would be given a total of 40 minutes for all three to address all three bills.

That worked out to 4.4 minutes for each panelist for each of the three bills.

Then yesterday we were told the panel had been expanded to 10 people and that we would each get a grand total of 4 minutes to address all three bills. A clear absurdity.

On top of that we were informed for the first time after the hearing started, that all three bills would be combined and there would be numerous amendments.  At the time this alert is going out, those amendments have still not been made available.

As you can imagine, it’s impossible to testify on language you have not seen, even when you are given a whole 4 minutes to do it.

Perhaps the most entertaining moment in the hearing was when Senator Floyd Prozanski suggested he would “arm wrestle” Senator James Manning for the privilege of carrying these anti-rights bills when they arrived at the Senate side.  Given Mannings extreme weight advantage we are eager to bet on that match.

The testimony from the proponents, which included militant anti-rights Attorney General Rosenblum, and Portland’s crime loving DA Mike Schmidt, was so riddled with fabrications and ignorance that 4 hours would not have been enough time to correct it all.

Suffice to say, not only are they delusional, they continue to spread those delusions unchecked.

The bills are scheduled to have a “work session” on March 28th.  That will be where the committee plans to consolidate the bills into one single, unconstitutional monstrosity and add the, as of yet, unavailable amendments.

We’ll keep you posted.

03.21.2023

Tomorrow the House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hear three anti-rights bills.

Those are House Bills 2005, 2006, and 2007.

We gave you the details here .

That link will also provide links if you want to testify on any of these bills or watch the hearings live.

Together these bills represent one of the most coordinated and hateful attacks on Second Amendment rights we have seen.

They will outlaw all privately manufactured firearms, eliminate gun and hunting rights for anyone under 21, and render CHL’s useless by declaring vast undefined areas of Oregon off limits to licensed carry.

All of these bills will, if passed, be found unconstitutional. The end goals of each have already failed court tests, the most recent being last Sunday when the US District Court in the Northern District of Texas decided that the ATF’s regulation of “unfinished receivers” was illegal. (Polymer Inc vs Merrick Garland).

As you know, Oregon Democrats have no concern about passing unconstitutional laws. If they pass YOU will have to pay to fight them in court while paying for lawyers on both sides of the fight.

You can still upload testimony or register to testify yourself either in person or remotely.

We assume you will be given a total of 2 minutes if you get to testify at all. They may consolidate testimony on all three bills which will give you a grand total of 40 seconds per bill. So be prepared.

“Invited testimony” will be at 8am. The public gets no time until 5pm. Please consider testifying anyway.

On another note, House Rep Dacia Grayber’s  racist “paramilitary bill” which we warned you about here was moved to the House Rules Committee. The Rules Committee is not subject to the same deadlines as other committees. When a bill goes there it is either to keep it alive long enough to massage it into something that can pass, or to allow it die with dignity. Something this bigoted garbage does not deserve. We’ll keep watching it but for now it is not moving forward.  And don’t think it’s because more rational people recognized that under Brandenburg v Ohio the bill was certainly unconstitutional. Far more likely was because the ACLU opposed it.

03.16.2023

ANTI GUN AVALANCHE

Our previous alert was a mere downpayment on what’s now coming.

Aside from the bad news in that alert, we can now confirm that next Wednesday, March 22, the Oregon House Judiciary Committee will be hearing and preparing to move, three extreme, unconstitutional, and dangerous bills.

HB 2005 bans privately made firearms, which of course, are perfectly legal under current Oregon and Federal law.  There are NO grandfather provisions in the bill. If you possess a firearm you legally made, that does not have a serial number engraved by a manufacturer or gunsmith, you will be a criminal, period.

There is no lawful way to add a serial number to any firearm you have already made. While a licensed gunsmith can take possession of a home made firearm to put a serial number on it, the owner of the gun may not lawfully deliver it.

HB 2006  Prohibits 18,19, and 20 year olds from owning any modern firearm. That includes any firearm they lawfully bought and currently own. There are no grandfather provisions.  If a person under 21 lawfully owns any modern firearm they will be criminals when this bill goes into effect, period.  This is not a ban on future sales or transfers. It is an outright prohibition and government theft of private property. 

HB 2007  Creates vast and undefined “off-limits” locations for CHL holders. Any government entity of any kind can not only declare its property off limits to law-abiding gun owners, but extend that to “adjacent” grounds which could mean anything.  A city hall could declare a nearby grocery store off limits.   A drive through any metropolitan area will make you a criminal countless times over.

All of these bills are scheduled for hearings on  March 22nd at 5pm. Earlier that day, at 8am, the committee will hold “informational hearings” on the bills which will only include “invited testimony.” Not you.

You can use this link: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Committees/HJUD/2023-03-22-17-00/Agenda to sign up to testify in person or remotely (in the evening long after the “invited testimony” has wrapped up with no time limits) for all three of these bills.

If you want to upload written testimony you can use the same link. Just click on the bill number, and then above that, in the tool bar at the top of the page, click on “Submit Testimony.”

The chairman of the committee, and the person responsible for pushing these bills, is Democrat Jason Kropf.  Kropf alone decides which bills move forward. He has already locked down the votes of the other Democrats on the Committee and almost certainly has promises from all the other House Democrats to vote in favor of these outrageous, unconstitutional, and hateful bills.

You can contact him here: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/kropf

Kropf, and his fellow leftists are determined to steal the property of law abiding Oregonians and render them defenseless while his party does all it can to flood our streets with violent criminals.

Now on to the Senate.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has its own anti-gun bills in the works.  These are being pushed by perennial gun hater and far left extremist Floyd Prozanski.

On March 27, at 1pm the Senate Judiciary Committee has anti gun bills scheduled for hearings. 

SB 348. While the bill’s summary says “Directs Department of Justice to study ways to address unlawful possession of firearms, and to provide results of study to interim committees of Legislative Assembly” that’s also almost all the bill says. The problem is the “relating clause.” And THAT, is “relating to firearms.”

Bills that direct any state agency to conduct virtually any study are “placeholder” bills designed to be “gut and stuffed” at the last minute, and this is a prime candidate.  They have not yet revealed what they plan to stuff it with, but keep an eye on it. It’s almost certainly coming.

SB 527 “Allows” a  gun dealer to refuse to sell to anyone under 21. While we think any dealer who wants to snub lawful gun buyers has the right, and we have the right to shop elsewhere, we think this bill is a gateway to mandating it. And given the House’s intention to ban possession for anyone under 21 it should be watched.

You can sign up to testify for either of these bills, remotely or in person here https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Committees/SJUD/2023-03-27-13-00/Agenda .

As noted above, you can also use that link to submit written testimony by clicking on the bill number and going to “Submit Testimony” at the top of the page.

As always you should contact your own representatives. You can use this link to connect with them:

https://geo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=fd070b56c975456ea2a25f7e3f4289d1

THIS BILL COULD PUT YOU IN PRISON.

Last month we warned you about HB 2572.

On March 20th, at 8am the House Judiciary Committee will be holding a “work session” to move the bill to the floor for a vote.

This bill is designed to entrap law abiding gun owners who may try to defend their property against looters and rioters.  It was designed to specifically exempt leftist thugs like antifa.

In fact, during the hearing that was held on the bill, antifa was not mentioned one time, only “Three Percenters”.

The bill was supported by militant anti-rights extremists.

As written, it could well outlaw private security guards who may be the last line of defense in lawless places like Portland, for while it appears to provide an exemption for them, it only exempts them “when under the direction and control of a governmental authority.”

The amended bill also gives the state broad and clearly unconstitutional powers to drag into court anyone who they accuse of even knowing about “paramilitary activity.” 

“If it appears to the Attorney General that a person has possession, custody or control of any information, document or other material that is relevant to an investigation of paramilitary activity as described in subsection (1) of this section, or that could lead to the discovery of relevant information in an investigation of paramilitary activity as described in subsection (1) of this section, the Attorney General may cause an investigative demand to be served upon the person. ”

So what qualifies as “paramilitary activity?”  Anyone who “Publicly patrols, drills or engages in techniques capable of causing physical injury or death;”

That sounds a lot like anyone protecting a friend’s business from rioters or who is part of a church security team.

This bill is clearly unconstitutional and an undisguised effort to entrap and imprison gun owners who respond to the ever growing threats of criminals the Democrats coddle and release from jail.

Please contact the House Republican Leader, Vikki Iverson, and the Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee and tell them to put every roadblock possible in the way of this very dangerous bill.  Remember, phone calls, even to voice mail, cannot be filtered into folders that will be ignored.

If they ask if you live in their district remind them that as committee members they represent everyone in the state.

Republican Leader Representative Vikki Breese Iverson

Capitol Phone 503-986-1459

Email rep.vikkibreeseiverson@oregonlegislature.gov

website http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/breese-iverson

 

Representative Rick Lewis

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1418

Email: Rep.RickLewis@oregonlegislature.gov
Website:http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/lewis

 

Representative Lily Morgan

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1403
Email: Rep.LilyMorgan@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/morgan

 

Representative Kim Wallan

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1406
Email: Rep.KimWallan@oregonlegislature.gov
Website:http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/wallan

 

 

Representative Charlie Conrad

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1412
Email: Rep.CharlieConrad@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/conrad

Link to the bill, amendments and schedule: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Measures/Overview/HB2572

03.13.2023

On March 28th at 3pm, the Senate Education Committee is scheduled to hold a “work session” on SB 551.

This bill requires that schools “provide specified information related to secure storage of firearms.”

The problem is, it does not say what that “information” is, who provides it, or who assures it’s accurate and unbiased.

Given that Oregon’s mandatory lock up laws call for very dangerous devices like “trigger locks” it’s a safe bet that any information the “state” will be providing about firearm’s storage will be false, biased, and hazardous .

As of right now,  no amendments have been posted for this bill that would clarify what information will be provided to students and their parents, but you can rest assured it will be anti-gun propaganda unless you speak up.

You can track any changes to this bill or its schedule here https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Measures/Overview/SB551

Please contact the Republican members of the Senate Education Committee and request that they vote against this bill unless amendments are added that allow the information on safe storage to be provided by professionals with actual knowledge of firearms.

Senator Suzanne Weber. 503-986-1716

https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/weber

Senator Dick Anderson. 503-986-1705

https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/anderson

Senator Art Robinson 503-986-1702

https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/robinson

The links will also provide their email addresses, but phone calls can’t be filtered into folders to be ignored.

Please note that Senator Art Robinson will almost certainly be aware of the dangers of this bill and is the person most likely to stand up for gun owners and common sense.

02.24.2023

Two gun bills were filed this week that we think you should know about.

While there are quite a few gun related bills in play in the legislature, these two are especially perplexing.

The first is SB 993. This bill is from Senator Brian Boquist, formerly a Republican and now an independent.

Boquist was also the author of Oregon’s gun- confiscation-with-no-due-process “red flag law”.

This bill is a straight up attack on core gun rights. It makes it a crime to carry an “unholstered” handgun. That means a gun in your car, in a purse, or in your pocket will be a felony.

It also makes “trespass with a firearm” a felony.  That means that if a hunter accidentally strays onto private property they are felons and lose their gun rights.

The bill also requires a public database of all persons convicted of a crime “involving a firearm”.

That would include the lost hunter or a woman who carried in her purse.

It is impossible to fathom what Boquist hopes to gain from this bill which is a Democrat’s fantasy.  Boquist has donated to the fight against 114, so this bill, like his red flag law, is incomprehensible.

The other bill, HB 3445 is the source of some confusion.

While some who have seen it think it’s a pro-gun bill, and undoubtedly the sponsors intended it to be, it has the potential to make things even worse for gun owners.

In our exchanges with three of the bills sponsors (most would not respond at all) it was clear none of them had read it.  They all believed it was a bill that would allow counties to “opt out” of Mz 114.  As you know, Mz 114 is still being held up by a court injunction and has not taken effect.

Under this bill counties could pass ordinances to remove their sheriffs and chiefs of police as “permitting agents” under 114.

The ordinances would also allow counties to bypass the need for permits-to-purchase if a county resident bought a gun in the county they lived in.

The problem is, while it removes sheriffs and chiefs of police as permitting agents, it replaces them with… nothing.

The permit system would still be in effect, but there would be no permitting agents.  That would be fine for people who lived in one of those counties if they could buy what they wanted in their own county.  But if they could not (some counties have NO gun stores) they would be prevented from buying a gun anywhere.

Their own sheriffs and police chiefs would not be permitting agents, and those people would have no other options to get a permit.

The bill leaves all the other onerous elements of 114 in place. It does not remove the magazine ban, the shotgun ban or the doxing list of people attempting to buy firearms that the state police are required to maintain.

We cannot understand how this is an improvement.

Two of the sponsors indicated that they did not believe the bill had any chance of moving forward. One called it “virtue signaling” and another said it had no chance of passing but Republicans had to “do something.”

It’s unclear how doing “something” that you think has no chance of success is worth the time and money spent. But there is another problem.  While the Republicans believe their bill is purely symbolic, they have, once again, handed the Democrats a perfect vehicle to “gut and stuff” and use this bill against gun owners.   And that IS something.

 

02.15.2023

Judge Calls Second Amendment Protection Laws Racist and Anti-Semitic

The Oregon Court of Appeals has struck down the Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance in Columbia County, an ordinance OFF has been defending with Gun Owners of America.

And while that is not a particular surprise, what is a surprise was the scathing, incendiary, and frightening “concurring opinion” from Judge Egan.

In his vicious attack, Egan equated ordinances protecting the Second Amendment with white supremacists and anti-semites.

In the opening page of his opinion, Egan attacks the ordinance and the people who argued for it saying :

“In other words, Intervenors came before this court and referenced UN mandates,which as explained below is a well documented trope meant to invoke white supremacist, antisemitic fear of a takeover of our country by outsiders and minorities who are manipulated by an elite class of supervillians.

On occasion, however, individual members of the court must call out  illegitimate quasi-legal arguments and theories for what they are-viz., antisemitic and  racist tropes. “

On page 6 of his screed he titles one section “The Antisemitic and Racist Origins of the Ordinance”

He claims that constitutional sheriffs “ embrace racist and white nationalist ideologies.”

He claims, referring to constitutional sheriffs:

“The premise of such writings is the antisemitic and racist conspiracy theory that Jews are at the heart of America’s problems, that people of color are unwitting pawns to be manipulated by one side or the other, and that zealots must prepare for a final battle in the last days. The proponents of these ideas claim that a cabal of elites or globalists (code words for Jews) in the UN, or the fictional New World Order or Zionist Occupational Government, manipulate our federal government and, by extension, state governments. These ideas are, of course, nothing new, unique, or intelligent: They are, instead, just a rehashing of the ancient trope of a secret Jewish government; they are the retelling of a lie that led to the murder of over six million Jews within living memory.”

But there’s more. He continues:

“Intervenor’s reference at oral argument about UN mandates in support of an absolute right to firearms threatens to give legal foundation to a world view that embraces religious, racial, and ethnic hatred. The arguments propounding unfettered access to guns, ammunitions, and implements of destruction give rise to waging of war on government because the proponents believe that our government is infected by those they hate. This hate is unquestionably embedded in the trope that the UN or some other nefarious entity is manipulating government behind the scenes and that the courts are simply tools of those manipulations. As a judge, sworn to uphold the Oregon constitution and the United States Constitution, I cannot stand by without identifying the origins of that argument, and the origins of the Ordinance.”

The Judge also attacked Oregon Firearms for its defense of the ordinance in the voter’s guide.

We have come to expect these kinds of mindless and false attacks from the left and their pawns in the media. But coming from the bench, this kind of blatantly false and hate filled rhetoric, is not only unsettling, it is dangerous. It inspires violence and retribution.  It is frankly, unhinged.

The Columbia County case was carefully and thoughtfully argued. To suggest that its motives were white supremacist or antisemitic is a lie and defamatory.  But it also calls into question the legitimacy of the court and the likelihood of getting fair rulings from it.

Our lawsuits against Ballot Measure 114 continue in Federal Court. And while we have not had favorable rulings there so far, we are confident that eventually we will win. But we are very dubious that the parallel case in State Court will be decided fairly if it gets to the Oregon Court of Appeals. These kinds of baseless and grossly unprofessional attacks are unconscionable.

We are extremely grateful for your support in this fight. And now more than ever it’s clear that our Federal lawsuit is critical.  Please help us protect our rights against these kinds of abuses.

This battle has never been more important or more dangerous.

To contribute to this fight please use this link and pick Oregon Firearms Educational Foundation for your donation.

https://oregonfirearms.ejoinme.org/MyPages/DonationPage/tabid/70447/Default.aspx

02.09.2023

Gun owners in Oregon, (and Gun Owners of America) scored a major victory today when the Oregon Supreme Court again slapped down the anti-rights extremists and upheld a stay on Mz 114.

As you know, a judge in Harney County placed a hold on the absurd and unconstitutional Mz 114.

To no one’s surprise the anti-gun Attorney General moved to overturn this commonsense decision.

Today in a two sentence ruling, the Oregon Supreme Court sided with the Constitution and refused to overturn the Harney County Judge.

Simply put, this means that Mz 114 is still blocked in its entirety and, for the moment, law abiding gun owners do not face arrest for possessing common ammunition magazines.

This is a massive win.

There is still a very long way to go and we will follow up with more information on this case and the Federal Case that is still underway.

The judge in the Federal case has ruled that 114 may go into effect.  The state ruling blocked that, so we are safe for now but there is much still to be done.

We fully expect the legislature to attempt an end run around the courts to implement their own version of 114, but for right now enjoy a solid victory for gun owners and common sense.

02.04.2023

On Monday morning the House Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing for HB 2572.

This bill “Modifies definition of “civil disorder” for crime of unlawful paramilitary activity; creates civil action for persons injured as a result of another person engaging in paramilitary activity.”

The one amendment offered so far (which replaces the entire bill)“Repeals ORS 166.660 in its entirety and creates new crime of unlawful paramilitary activity; seeks to clarify definition of “private paramilitary organization;” seeks to clarify elements of crime of unlawful paramilitary activity…”

The amendment no longer mentions “civil disorder.” Now it’s all about “paramilitary activity.”

The bill, and the one current amendment, were drafted to specifically exclude antifa from its provisions.

In both the bill and the amendment  “paramilitary organization” is defined :

“Private paramilitary organization” means any group of three or more persons associating under a command structure for the purpose of functioning in public, or training to function in public, as a combat, combat support, law enforcement or security services unit.”

(Emphasis added)

That sounds a lot like a private security firm.  In fact, Legislative Counsel, the people who drafted the bill and the amendment, said:

“In section 2 of HB 2572, the definition of “private paramilitary organization” is quite broad and could in fact apply to a private security company, since a private security company would not fall within the law enforcement exception in subsection (3).”

And while they offered assurances that private security firms would probably not be prosecuted under the bill, that’s pure speculation.

But what’s NOT speculation is the part of the definition of “private paramilitary organization” that says “associating under a command structure.”

As we all know, and prominent Democrats remind us, “antifa” is not an organization, just an “idea”.  So when dozens, or hundreds, of masked thugs show up in the same place armed with explosives and firebombs, it’s purely an organic event of like minded people.

It’s clear that this definition was designed to protect the left’s shock troops.

Please contact the Vice Chair of the committee and request that that language be removed from the bill.

You can call and leave a message or email, though phone calls are better.

This bill has a way to go before it can become law. If you cannot act before Monday, please still make that call.

Vice Chair Kim Wallan

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1406
Email: Rep.KimWallan@oregonlegislature.gov
Website:http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/wallan

Bill and Amendment Text:

HB 2572.  https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/HB2572

Amendment to HB 2572.  https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Downloads/ProposedAmendment/22493

Use this link to submit written testimony:

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Testimony/HJUD/HB/2572?area=Measures

Use this link to sign up to testify in person or remotely: (Click on “register to testify next to the bill number.)
https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Committees/HJUD/2023-02-06-08-00/Agenda

1.30.2023

 

The Oregon Legislative session is rolling on. We are now monitoring about 25 bills that would affect gun owners.

As always, the Democrats are hard at work attempting to enable violent criminals and endanger law abiding Oregonians.

As an added bonus they are working to pass legislation to allow criminals to vote FROM JAIL.

Now, you don’t suppose the truly captive audience in lock up might get some “assistance” filling out their ballots, be offered incentives to vote a certain way, or trade ballots for extra meals or privileges do you?

Oregon’s cartel media is busy spreading stories that are either misleading or patently false about OFF.  What is now published or broadcast in “mainstream” “news” sources is often comically and obviously fake, yet the hacks who churn out this garbage will never miss an opportunity to post nonsense if they think it can demean the people they hate. Like hunters for example. Of course, then it’s up to you to go seek out the truth.

The people in charge are corrupt or blatantly partisan.

These battles are not about differences of ideology, they are about facts versus lies, about freedom and integrity versus corruption and tyranny.

As you can imagine, We have a lot of work to do.

First an update on the lawsuit against Measure 114.

As you know, in a case brought by Gun Owners of America, a state judge in Harney County put a hold on all of measure 114. So, none of it is legally in effect.

However, the promoters of the measure have managed to do much of the damage they were hoping for anyway.

There are still tens of thousands of law abiding Oregonians being denied their rights and property because the “Firearms Instant Check System”, run by the Oregon State Police under the direction of the Oregon Governor, is in chaos.

While some transfers are taking place many thousands are in limbo waiting for a resolution.

If the OSP takes more than 30 days to issue an approval, the buyer is back to square one and the background check has to be done again. And again the buyer is stuck in a Soviet like experience simply trying to exercise a right.

Many distributors are refusing to ship products to Oregon because of their concerns about Mz 114, and, as you know, Oregon’s Attorney General, an anti-rights extremest has asked the Oregon Supreme Court to overrule the Harney Judge’s decision.  The Court could issue a decision on that at any time.

Meanwhile our Federal lawsuit is moving forward at the glacial pace they all do.

The Judge in the Federal case refused to put a hold on Mz 114 except for the permit to purchase part, which the state was forced to admit  (as we all knew) was impossible to implement.

But even that hold is temporary.  However, the judge did offer to skip a hearing on a preliminary injunction and go directly to a trial on whether 114 is Constitutional.  She noted that the measure is on hold as a result of the state injunction.

This was not a deal the lawyers in our combined cases agreed to. Clearly, the state hold could disappear tomorrow if the Democrats who are in charge have their way and then countless Oregonians and gun dealers would be shafted.

So the next step in the Federal case will be a hearing on a preliminary injunction in Federal Court.

Don’t feel lonely if you’re confused. That hearing is scheduled for late February.

There is no timetable for when the hearing to determine whether the law is constitutional or not would happen. These cases can drag on for insane amounts of time. We are very grateful for your continued support in this very expensive battle.

And of course, there are other cases winding their way through the courts that could impact ours and the actions of our own legislature could change everything.

Senator Floyd Prozanski, who worked side by side with Ginny Burdick for years to strip Oregonians of their rights is carrying on her work after she left for a better paying government gig.

Floyd has announced his intentions to implement Mz. 114.  He can use any one of many anti-gun bills (or even some “pro-gun” bills) as a vehicle for this, but there are some that were clearly introduced as “place holders” to be gut and stuffed later. HB 2373 looks like a prime candidate.

As we have pointed out, the Democrats have the usual collection of anti-gun bills including one to make gun owners criminals if they come to a rally near the Capitol while lawfully armed. In fact, if the Democrats have their way, concealed handgun license holders could be arrested merely for driving past the Capitol if in possession of a firearm. But not only the Capitol. Gun owners could be breaking the law simply because they were too close to any government building. SB 686. 

If the Democrats are successful, picking up a family member at the airport while armed would get you a year in jail. Think about that.

So, given the fact that the Democrats have not only a burning desire to attack law abiding Oregonians, but they also have a majority of both Houses, the Governor’s Office, the Secretary of State’s Office and the Attorney Generals Office, what options do gun owners have to hang onto their rights, property and freedom in Oregon?

Well even though Oregon Republicans gave up their right to walk out without a whimper, they still have a card to play should they break with recent practice and grow a spine.

Democrats no longer have a “super majority.”  They cannot pass new taxes without Republican votes. And the Democrats are salivating to pass even more taxes to soak Oregonians to pay for new programs to address the massive problems they created with their previous programs.

Our new governor is already talking about spending MILLIONS on more failed policies to address the homeless crisis Democrats created. And since Oregonians voted for guaranteed “appropriate” health care for ALL with no plan for who was going to pay for it, you can rest assured that Kotek and the other leftists will be doing all they can to fund this boondoggle with more of your money.

But, they cannot do it without the Republicans helping them.

That means, quite simply, that Republicans have the power to put a stop to all anti-gun legislation if they dig in their heels, show some courage and refuse to go along with the Democrats tax madness if the Democrats insist on screwing Oregon gun owners.

This power is now in the hands of the Republican Senate Leader, Tim Knopp, and the Republican House Leader, Vikki Iverson.

Knopp is already saying he plans to stand up to the Democrats.  But remember, Knopp was the ONLY Republican Senator who refused to walk out when the Republicans, under Herman Baertshieger, walked out and controlled the agenda.  Knopp stayed behind with the Democrats.

Iverson’s husband attacked OFF in an email to candidates in the last election saying OFF was a “fringe group” and failing to mention the thousands of dollars our PAC gave to Republican candidates in the previous election. (Hilariously, Iverson sent a letter to OFFPAC after her husband attacked us… asking for money.) So the new Republican “leadership” has a way to go before we’ll assume they actually will stand up. But the point is, they CAN. And they must.

Knopp and Iverson are the only thing standing in the way of the Democrat’s plans to steamroll Oregon gun owners. We have to hold them to it.

Knopp and Iverson were not elected by anti-gunners. Both have said they will stand up for gun rights.

Please keep their contact information. The ball is in their court. We are looking forward to reporting that they did the right thing for gun owners and all Oregonians.

Senator Tim Knopp

Representative Vikkie Breese Iverson

One more thing.  Many of you have supported us through the charitable donations policies of Fred Meyer and Amazon Smile. While the Fred Meyer program is still functioning, Amazon has terminated its charitable donation program and no longer makes donations to non profit organizations when you purchase through them.

You can support our efforts to protect gun rights here.  https://oregonfirearms.ejoinme.org/MyPages/DonationPage/tabid/70447/Default.aspx

Pistol Braces, Forbidden Places, Supreme Court Cases
01.14.2023

 

 

THE OREGON LEGISLATURE’S ANNUAL ATTACK ON GUN RIGHTS BEGINS ON TUESDAY JANUARY 17TH

The ATF bans pistol braces, the DOJ demands that magazines be banned, and Oregon Democrats want you to go to jail for being NEAR any government building.

There is a lot going on.

First, as you know, a judge in Harney County has put a hold on all of the clearly unconstitutional Measure 114.  So, to no one’s surprise, the Oregon Department of “Justice” has requested that the Oregon Supreme Court overrule that decision and immediately ban standard ammo feeding devices and eliminate the one safeguard against abuse by the State Police when they refuse to complete background checks.

The DOJ wants to criminalize the most common ammo magazines in the country while allowing “instant” background checks to take literally… forever. That means that while you are forced to beg for permission to exercise a Constitutional right, the Oregon State Police will have the right to deny you for as long as they want. Even if that means until the end of time.

Testimony in the state court case from a former employee of the OSP Firearms Instant Check System, made public what gun owners have known for a long time. It is the mission of the FICs unit to delay or deny as many firearm’s purchases as possible. Let us not forget who the OSP works for. (Hint, it ain’t you.)

The Oregon Department of “Justice”, under the control of a rabidly anti-rights Attorney General,  also wants to compel you to get a permit simply to ask to buy a firearm and pay hefty fees for the privilege, but has kindly offered to delay that unconstitutional demand having been forced to admit there is no program in place to even get such a permit.

Meanwhile, in OFF’s Federal case, the Trump appointed judge who ruled that 114 could go into effect (with a short delay for the non existent permitting system) asked the plaintiffs (meaning us) if we would be willing to forgo a trial on a preliminary injunction there, citing the state injunction as a reason.

Of course that would mean if the State prevailed in its efforts to overturn the Harney County Judge, gun owners and gun dealers would be totally screwed for possibly years as this mess winds through the courts. And of course, that was always the point of Measure 114 and its well funded sponsors, “Lift Every Voice.”

“Lift Every Voice” is asking its supporters to lean on the legislature to ram through implementation of 114 and, of course, Democrats have announced their plans to do just that.

Far left Senator Floyd Prozanski has already noted his intentions to enforce it even though it is currently on ice. (By the way, “LEVO” has also announced that it plans another ballot measure to ban all modern firearms. No doubt they will once again get millions in donations from groups like the ACLU and the national and state teacher’s unions.)

The Oregon Democrats also have quite a few other attacks on your gun rights in the works. Not satisfied to ban CHL holders from schools, the Portland Airport, and the Capitol Building, the Democrats now plan to arrest you if you go NEAR any of those places with a firearm.  This means NO firearms at any rallies NEAR the Capitol and you could go to jail just by driving past the Capitol Building.

But wait, there’s more. They want to expand that prohibition to ALL buildings that are paid for with YOUR tax dollars.  That means that when you leave your house, should you even go CLOSE to any “municipal” building and you are lawfully armed, you get to spend a year in jail. For people who live anywhere close to a city or town that basically means you better not leave your house. 

Given the astronomical increase in violent crime under the Democrats, and the risk you take walking or driving anywhere in Portland or other cities, the Democrat’s agenda cannot be disguised. CHL holders are not now and have never been a problem.  These policies are driven by unbridled hatred and bigotry and have nothing to do with public safety.

On another note, the ATF has released its new rules on “pistol braces.” While the regulations  are, as usual, incomprehensible, the short version is if you own any of these devices that ATF has for years said are perfectly legal, you now face prison time if you do not turn them in or register the guns they are on as restricted NFA items.

Given the recent ruling from the 5th Circuit  that the ATF’s rules on bump stocks greatly overstepped their authority, it’s a safe bet that the courts will strike this lunacy down too. But of course, that will require vast expenditures by gun owners on legal fees.

Keep in mind, there is exactly NO legal liability when legislators draft laws they know are unconstitutional. Just as there is no liability when the ATF does it. And there is NO legal or fiscal liability when bigot organizations with millions in funding from out of state leftists pass unconstitutional ballot measures.

Gun owners face attacks on many fronts right now. And they all have one thing in common. They are insanely expensive for us and don’t cost the other side a dime.

The Oregon Republicans have demonstrated a startling refusal to fight in past sessions.  But they still have a few tools if they have the courage to use them.

The Senate Republicans are led by Tim Knopp. You will recall that Knopp refused to walk out when the other Republicans did a few years ago. Knopp’s actions were appreciated by the Democrats who were trying to pass dangerous gun control then.

The House Republicans are led by Vikki Breeze Iverson whose husband attacked Oregon Firearms Federation even while Vicki was asking us for donations.

This is not positive news. But the reality is, those two have the ability to stand up for gun owners and they need to hear from you. Please remind them who placed them in office. It was NOT gun grabbing Democrats.

And please support our efforts. Federal lawsuits are insanely expensive and the legal bills keep coming it.  Only your support keeps us in this fight. 

You can donate here.   

https://oregonfirearms.ejoinme.org/MyPages/DonationPage/tabid/70447/Default.aspx

For more information please see this link.

https://www.oregonfirearms.org/join-support-off

Thank you.

 

A Storm Is Brewing

 

01.09.2023

Today Tina Kotek was sworn in as Oregon’s Governor.

Kotek is a radical, anti-gun extremist, as was her predecessor. But Kotek is well known for being far more vindictive and willing to crush anyone who stands in her way.

You can ask any of the Democrat House Reps who have felt her wrath.

She has already begun touring the state, but much like Joe Biden, she carefully avoids contact with those who don’t march in lockstep with her agenda. Just ask the Yamhill County Commissioners who were pointedly not invited to meet with Kotek when she visited there recently.

Kotek was a vocal cheerleader for Measure 114 while running for office and you can bet that forcing that unconstitutional scheme down our throats will be job one, well ahead of anything she is promising.

A newsletter from anti-rights Senator Floyd Prozanski today announced that implementation of 114 is one of his priorities as well. And the State has already advised that it will be seeking to appeal the hold on 114 that is in place at the moment as a result of the actions of a Judge in Harney County.

Numerous anti-gun bills are already drafted and ready to move through the system.  You can view all the bills currently available at this link Oregon Legislative Information System (oregonlegislature.gov)

In the upper right hand corner you can click on “Bills” and enter the search term of your choice. Try “firearms” and “handgun.”

There are a number of “pro-gun” bills there that have been introduced by Republicans that have essentially zero chance of passing. However since they have the relating clause “Relating to Firearms” the Democrats can give them hearings, and then take no action on them but later “gut and stuff” them with anti-gun language. A procedure you would think the sponsors would have given some thought to. But… they did not. One more gift elected Republicans handed to the gun grabbers.

There are bills to further restrict CHL’s and at least two bills to ban possession of home made firearms or parts that may one day become firearms. There are no exceptions for firearms you have already lawfully constructed. The second bill can be viewed here.

There is a bill that clearly was intended to intimidate protesting gun owners but could be used against antifa rioters if they were ever arrested and prosecuted. (We know….)

We are just getting started so expect plenty more bad news.

The Republicans no longer have the option of walking out to protect your rights.  Under the failed “leadership” of Christine Drazan and Fred Girod they refused to even consider that, claiming if they did, there could be a ballot measure to forbid walk outs. And as we know, there was anyway. And the Republicans did not bother to post one single argument against that very dangerous measure. So now, in the unlikely event they ever had real leadership, that tool is no longer available.

They do have the power to block the tax increases that the Democrats will be presenting. So in theory they have a bargaining chip. Will they use it? That is extremely doubtful.

The Legislature convenes on January 17th.  Gun owners will not only have to battle these attacks in court (Measure 114) but also in Salem. It’s going to be a rocky ride.

On a somewhat positive note, we are slowly catching up here. Today we were able to ship out the next batch of hats and patches that were overdue to new members.  That entire supply was gone in a flash and the next batch will go out the minute we get them. We have to send a huge shout out and thank you to our friends at Fishead Custom Printing who did an amazing job rushing through the last batch of really nicely done hats. We appreciate their support.

The gun grabbers are losing in court after court. But they have the ability to keep ramming through unconstitutional bills knowing it costs them nothing.

We are in unsettled time for gun owners.  We thank you for you continued support. Buckle up. A storm is brewing.