Voters in Oregon Tuesday adopted a ballot measure to place stricter requirements on gun ownership. The final vote was close with 740,335 in favor and 716,656 against, as of the time of this report. The new measure requires Oregonians to obtain a permit from the state police before acquiring a firearm. The applicant must pay a fee for the permit as well as pass a background check, submit fingerprints and a photo ID, and not be prohibited from possessing firearms. Additionally, an applicant must pass a gun-safety training course prior to receiving the permit.
Once the police grant a permit to own a gun, it is valid for five years. If an applicant is denied a permit, they may appeal it. When purchasing a firearm, a person must present their permit and pass an additional background check.
The new law also prohibits the use, possession, and ownership of magazines that hold over 10 rounds of ammunition. Current owners of 10-round magazines are exempt from the law. Police are also exempt from the law.
The National Rife Association (NRA), a gun rights advocacy group and opponent of the law, said it was an extreme, unconstitutional gun control initiative. The NRA also claimed that the police are the only entities that can offer the required safety courses, and there is nothing in the law that actually requires them to offer the courses.
On the other hand, Lift Every Voice Oregon, a proponent of the law, said the law will reduce gun violence and make “schools and communities safer.” Additionally, Lift Every Voice said:
The Oregon background check loophole allows people to purchase a gun before completing a background check if that check takes longer than 3 days. Measure 114 will close this loophole, allowing law enforcement time to complete background checks and preventing people with a criminal felony record, domestic violence conviction, stalking offense, or for any other disqualifying condition from buying a gun.
This new law will make Oregon the 15th state, in addition to Washington DC, to enact a permit-to-purchase law.