07.25.2022
Last week we asked you to send comments to the “Explanatory Statement Committee” about the content of IP 17, the gun ban ballot measure.
Now, thanks to the request of one Republican and one Democrat legislator, there is another committee that needs to hear from you.
As noted by the Secretary of State:
The Oregon Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) received a written request from a member of the Legislative Assembly from each major political party requesting a racial and ethnic impact statement pursuant to ORS 137.685 for Initiative Petition 17 that is related to crime and likely to have an effect on the criminal justice system. The CJC is responsible for preparing an impartial, simple, and understandable statement explaining the racial and ethnic impact.
To submit written public comments, please email them no later than July 28 at 10:30 AM to elections.sos@sos.oregon.gov.
The Secretary of State will hold a public hearing to receive testimony on the the racial and ethnic impact statement for IP 17 .
UPDATE 07.27.2022 The in-person meeting has been cancelled. Remote only now!
|
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM Thursday July 28, 2022 Register to attend online via Zoom
|
Basically the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission needs to hear from the public about the potential impacts of the ballot measure on different racial communities.
These comments should not take a position on the ballot measure or make statements opposing it. The measure will be on the ballot so comments opposing the measure won’t matter.
What is needed are some points about how this measure is almost sure to have a massive negative impact on minorities.
Some talking points:
The measure requires a “class” before a person can apply for a “permit” to purchase a firearm. Since this class requires live fire, low income urban residents will have the hardest time finding an approved class.
The required “class” must be taught by police or those approved by police. If the police in minority areas choose to simply not provide the class, minority residents will be required to find a class far from their home at unlimited expense.
The measure gives police unlimited ability to require any information they want when approving a person for a “permit.” This discretion has enormous potential for abuse and can be applied selectively.
There are no time limits on the multiple background checks required for a permit and there are no limits on the cost for the “class” that is required. At this time even the sponsors of the measure have admitted they have no answers for these concerns. These issues are certain to impact low income communities disproportionally.
The existing racial statement covers none of these issues. Please send your comments with your concerns before July 28th to elections.sos@sos.oregon.gov.
The statement, along with additional information and documents, will be shared on the Secretary of State’s website.