Oregon gun reform advocates ‘rejoicing' but not slowing down after Measure 114 ruling

Yahoo

13-03-2025

PORTLAND, Ore. () — A controversial gun control measure — approved by voters more than two years ago — is now back in play, as the Oregon State Court of Appeals rules it is constitutional. But even as opponents are planning their next appeal, advocates for gun reform aren't slowing down either.
The court's ruling means a hold on gun safety requirements could soon be lifted throughout the state.
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Voters passed Measure 114 in November 2022. It requires people to undergo a background check and safety courses to receive a gun permit. It also limits the legal magazine capacity to less than 10 rounds — with exceptions for police and military.
Supporters of Measure 114 are ecstatic and they said it's a move in the right direction.
'It's a day to give rejoicing in a country that's living with a lot of fear right now,' said Rev. Dr. W.J. Mark Knutson, the chair of , the advocacy group that helped push for Measure 114.
Knutson held a press conference on Wednesday at his Augustana Lutheran Church in Northeast Portland. He said efforts are continuing to push for gun reform issues in Salem, including , which would require federally licensed firearms dealers to also be licensed in Oregon.
'There's some important bills in the state legislature, we'll be coming alongside others to help move through. There are social programs that are [for] young people that we'll be working on with other organizations that are not here today but would like to have been. So how do we weave that community? And that's never going to be complete. So, we'll continue on,' said Knutson said.
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Advocates argue that laws like Measure 114, the proposed HB 3076 and others could have prevented tragic incidents like the back in 2015 and the several in Portland.
'If you eliminate that, you eliminate a great portion of people that are killed even by stray bullets,' said Rev. Dr. LeRoy Haynes.
Though Measure 114 has been ruled constitutional, that doesn't necessarily mean it's going into effect, at least not yet. Those opposing the measure in this case have the next 35 days to appeal this ruling.
Tony Aiello, Jr., a senior associate with Tyler Smith & Associates, has already indicated he by bringing it to a higher court.
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