Oregon drawing Battle Lines

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Oregon’s Legislature may not convene until early next month, but already battle lines are forming over a trio of measures a faith-based gun control lobbying group is proposing that includes raising the minimum age to purchase firearms to 21 years.

A group calling itself Lift Every Voice Oregon (LEVO) consists of leaders from different faiths, according to a report at KTVZ. As explained on the LEVO website, the group claims to be “advocating for safer schools, houses of worship and communities.”

Back on Dec. 9, LEVO filed IP #60 with hopes of getting it on the November 2020 ballot. If adopted the measure would regulate “semiautomatic assault firearms” by requiring completion of a safety course, pass a background check and endure a five-day waiting period.

A second measure would prohibit the manufacture, sale or purchase of ammunition magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds.

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All of these things combined have compelled the Oregon Firearms Federation (OFF) to post this message on its website: “Nationally, Republicans in Congress refused to use their majority to make any meaningful reforms. And now Oregon is controlled by an even larger number of rights hating leftists. This is the time to fight even harder. Please sign up for our legislative alerts to stay informed about gun rights in Oregon.”

Oregon’s gun control fight frequently gets overshadowed by what goes on north of the Columbia River in neighboring Washington State, but this year things could be different. The legislative session kicks off Feb. 3 in Salem.

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Grassroots activists will gather Jan. 17 in Keizer at 7 p.m. for a session involving several organizations including OFF. Tickets are on sale for that event and details may be found here.

Coincidentally, earlier in the day in Olympia, Washington gun rights activists will gather at the State Capitol for their annual lobbying day effort.