Oregon Ballot Measure 114

rdf:langString Oregon Ballot Measure 114

rdf:langString Ballot Measure 114

rdf:langString Oregon

rdf:langString Changes to Firearm Ownership and Purchase Requirements Initiative

rdf:langString Results by county

rdf:langString No:

rdf:langString Yes:

rdf:langString Oregon Ballot Measure 114, the Changes to Firearm Ownership and Purchase Requirements Initiative, is an Oregon state initiative that passed in 2022. It changes gun laws in Oregon to require passing a background check, obtain safety training, and a permit before purchasing a gun, as well as implementing a high-capacity magazine ban. These new laws are more restrictive than 14 other states and Washington D.C., as well as the nine other states plus D.C. that ban high-capacity magazines. Under the new law, purchasing a firearm requires a completed criminal background check, no different than before its passage, and paying for a permit (of a maximum amount of $65) from either the county sheriff or police where the buyer resides. Buyers also have to pass a gun safety education course that demonstrates they know how to properly store and handle a gun. Permits are issued per person, not per gun, and are valid for five years. Law enforcement will have the ability to deny a permit to those they subjectively believe to be a danger to themselves or others, while those denied a permit are able to appeal in court at extra legal expense. Additionally, the law makes the purchase, sale, or possession of any magazines holding more than ten rounds a Class A misdemeanor. Current owners of high capacity magazines are able to keep them legally, but use is limited to their property or other private property such as a shooting range. Sheriffs in Klamath County, Linn County, Sherman County, and Union County declared their refusal to enforce some or all of the new laws, and gun rights organizations immediately prepared to challenge the constitutionality of the laws in court. On December 6, 2022, Harney County Circuit Judge Robert S. Raschio issued a temporary restraining order against all provisions of the law (which the Oregon Supreme Court denied the attorney general's petition to overturn), a decision that came just hours after that of Federal Judge Karin Immergut allowing it to take effect, save for the permit requirement which was delayed for 30 days at the request of the state.