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 6.22.09
"BRIDE OF BRADY" BILL PASSES SUBCOMMITTEE |
HB
2853, a bill intended to expand the failed Brady law and force
Oregon into compliance with the Federal "NICS Improvement"
act passed out of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public
Safety today. The Federal bill was opposed by many state-wide
pro-gun organizations, Gun
Owners of America, the American
Legion and the Military
Order of the Purple Heart. It was supported by the
National Rifle Association and the Brady Campaign against gun
ownership.
The committee is a joint committee so it includes both House
Reps and Senators. Because of the timing (so late in the session)
there was virtually no notice that the "work session"
was scheduled. As we move towards the end of the session expect
this to continue. Bills will be scheduled with little or no
notice, making it virtually impossible for you as a voter to
know the progress of legislation.
The committee invited testimony only from the supporters of
the bill. Opponents were not allowed to testify. (In the interest
of fairness no doubt.)
HB 2853 has been sold as a bill to keep guns out of the hands
of people who are mentally ill (or in the language of the bill,
"mentally retarded") and who are a "danger to
themselves and others."
The obvious question is why are people who are a danger to themselves
and others free and walking the streets? Even if a
person accepted the fantasy that a law can keep guns out of
the hands of bad people, what about knives, cars and power tools?
The Brady law was supposed to prevent criminals from getting
guns. It failed. What it DID do was prevent law abiding people
from getting guns. The Oregon State Police told us they had
over 8000 "delays" last year. They had no statistics
on how many people challenged those delays or how many people
were successful in getting the record corrected.
If HB 2853 passes, you can rest assured that the incomplete
and incorrect records the government keeps will ensnare a vast
new collection of innocent people attempting to purchase firearms.
But, now, instead of only having to beg the State Police to
correct your records, you will be forced to petition the "Psychiatric
Security Review Board" to correct your records. (Imagine
explaining that to your significant other.) And
of course, if you move or are attempting a purchase in another
state, you will be forced to seek relief from the Feds. Good
luck.
The bill, as you might expect, comes with the promise of Federal
money. (If they can print it fast enough.) No doubt, that
was a major element in the seduction of those who voted for
it. But the fact remains that this bill vastly expands a failed
system and puts more gun owners in the crosshairs of the most
anti-gun administration on the history of our country.
Three members of the Subcommittee stood up for your rights today
and voted NO.
They were:
Sen. Doug Whitsett
sen.dougwhitsett@state.or.us
Rep. Tim Freeman
rep.timfreeman@state.or.us
Rep. Greg Smith rep.gregsmith@state.or.us
They deserve your thanks.
Those who voted to go for the money and expand the Brady law
were:
Sen. Joanne Verger,
Co-Chair sen.joanneverger@state.or.us
Sen. Vicki L Walker
sen.vickiwalker@state.or.us
Rep. Chip Shields,
Co-Chair rep.chipshields@state.or.us
Rep. Jeff Barker
rep.jeffbarker@state.or.us
Rep. Nick Kahl
rep.nickkahl@state.or.us
Rep. Nancy Nathanson
rep.nancynathanson@state.or.us
The bill now moves to the full committee. This could happen
any time with no notice. Please contact the full committee and
express your opposition as soon as possible.
Contact info for the entire committee can be found here.
A sample cut and paste message follows. Please keep in mind
this is a joint committee. You may be addressing either a Senator
or a Representative.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
HB 2853 is NOT about keeping guns out of the hands of the "dangerously
mentally ill."
It is about a vast expansion of the failed Brady law.
Thousands of people are delayed or denied legitimate firearms
transfers in Oregon every year because of errors in the records
used to determine if a buyer is "eligible" to exercise
a right. If this bill is passed, those denied firearms purchases
because of faulty record keeping in Oregon will now be forced
to plead their case before the "Psychiatric Security Review
Board."
If they move or are attempting an out-of-state transfer they
will be entangled in a bureaucratic Federal nightmare.
This bill does nothing to keep dangerous people off the streets,
it merely adds another layer of bureaucracy to an already failed
system. Please vote NO on HB 2853.
Yours,
_________________________
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