Wheeler Issues Statement on Gun Violence

Monday, December 14, 2015

Ted Wheeler

Oregon State Treasurer and Portland mayoral candidate Ted Wheeler called for “responsible gun-ownership rules” in a statement issued on the three-year anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.

Wheeler said in the statement that he would participate in the Wear Orange Walk at Portland’s Peninsula on Sunday afternoon. The walk is designed to honor the lives lost during the shooting at Sandy Hook, as well as other mass shootings, including this year’s shooting at Umpqua Community College.

READ WHEELER’S FULL STATEMENT BELOW:

Oregon State Treasurer and Portland mayoral candidate Ted Wheeler issued the following statement on the eve of the three-year Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting anniversary:

After the tragedy in San Bernardino, I heard a radio announcer say that there are as many mass shootings in America as there are days in the year. Unfortunately, it's worse than that. There are, in fact, more mass shootings every year in this country than there are days. We’ve said "not one more" so many times it’s lost its meaning.

Today I’ll be walking in orange — the color worn by hunters for safety —to honor the lives lost at Sandy Hook, Umpqua Community College, Reynolds High School, and in countless other acts of gun violence across the country.

These tragedies are based in circumstances like mental illness, anger, ideology, hatred, and desperation. But they all share something in common. Someone who had no business owning a firearm, or possessing ammunition for it, opened fire on innocent people.

This kind of violence doesn’t have to be the norm in Oregon. We can give meaning to the promise of not one more by encouraging responsible gun-ownership rules and enforcing compliance with transfer and safe storage standards. We should require more rigorous background checks. And we should spend more time questioning America’s gun culture and focusing on how we can encourage the next generation to resolve conflict through more peaceful means.

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.