NEW: Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio Urge Militiamen to Stand Down

Monday, January 04, 2016

GoLocalPDX News Team

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) via wikimedia commons

A pair of leading Republican Presidential candidates in Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Marco Rubio (D-Florida) told armed militiamen holding a federal building in Oregon to stand down on Monday, according to reports.

The group has held the federal wildlife building on the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge since Saturday. As GoLocal reported, the group has promised to hold the building “for as long as need be.”

Cruz spoke with reporters before a campaign event in Iowa, according to the Huffington Post.

"Every one of us has a constitutional right to protest, to speak our minds, but we don’t have a constitutional right to use force of violence or threaten force of violence on others," Cruz said. "There is no right to engage in violence against other Americans, and it is our hope and prayer that that situation resolves itself peaceably sooner rather than later.”

Rubio similarly called for the end of the militia’s capture of the building during an interview with Iowa radio station KBUR.

“You can’t be lawless. We live in a republic," Rubio said. "There are ways to change the laws of this country and the policies. If we get frustrated with it, that’s why we have elections. That’s why we have people we can hold accountable.”

Federal authorities have not attempted to retake the building, and have no immediate plans to do so, according to reports.

Related Slideshow: 10 Facts About Oregon Gun Laws

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Background Checks

Governor Kate Brown signed a bill into law in May that requires requiring background checks on private gun sales, according to Guns and Ammo Magazine.

"We have an obligation to protect Oregonians from gun violence," Brown said. "If we want to keep our kids, schools and communities safe, we must make it harder for dangerous people to get guns."

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Concealed Carry

According to the National Rifle Association's website, concealed carry of firearms is allowed in Oregon if the carrier has been issued a permit.

To get a concealed carry permit apply at your local sheriff's office, pass a background check, prove you're at least 21, demonstrate that you're competent with the weapon and you're good to walk around strapped.

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Mental Health Issues

In Oregon, people who've lost their gun rights because of mental health issues can petition to get them back, according to the Oregon Psychiatric Review Board.

The PSRB conducts relief hearings to determine if someone should again be permitted to own guns.

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Loaded Guns in Public

According to a description of Oregon gun laws on the NRA website, it is unlawful to possess a loaded firearm in a public building, which includes hospitals, capitol buildings, schools, colleges, courthouses or city hall. Exceptions are made if you have a concealed carry permit.

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Out of State Purchases

According to the NRA, Oregon residents are not limited to purchasing firearms in their own state. They may also purchase firearms in California, Idaho, Nevada or Washington

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Machine Guns

Oregon residents are permitted to own machine guns, as long as they are registered with the federal government, according to the NRA.

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No Permit Required

According to Laws.com, no permit is needed to own a handgun or a rifle in the state of Oregon

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Felons

According to the NRA website, most felons are not allowed to own or carry a firearm in Oregon.

There are exceptions, however. If the crime was later expunged from a person's record or downgraded to a misdemeanor, that person is able to own a gun.