By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
Although the fight over Oregon’s anti-gun Measure 114, narrowly passed in 2022, is still in the state court of appeals, lawmakers in Salem are pushing new gun control measures, leaving activists such as Kevin Starrett in what amounts to a perpetual state of legislative combat.
Starrett, who heads the Oregon Firearms Federation (OFF) and has been fighting Beaver State gun grabbers for a couple of decades, recently responded to an inquiry about gun bills now before lawmakers.
“The ‘worst gun bills? Boy, tough question,” he quipped in a telephone conversation with TGM.
“I guess if I had to pick one,” Starrett observed, “I would go with House Bill 3075, the legislative version of Measure 114, because it does so many bad things and is so dangerous.”
HB 3075, according to a summary, “Modifies the firearm permit provisions of Ballot Measure 114 (2022). Specifies where a person may apply for a permit to purchase a firearm and adds an eligibility requirement. Provides that information obtained during the application process and during the criminal background check and maintained within the database of permit holders is exempt from disclosure as a public record. Extends the time, from 30 to 60 days from receipt of the application, by which a permit agent must issue a permit to a qualified applicant or mail reasons for a denial in writing to the applicant. Increases the maximum fee that may be charged for an initial application for and renewal of a permit. Specifies the portion of the fee payable to the Department of State Police for conducting a criminal background check. Establishes alternatives to a firearms training course or class that may be used to satisfy the requirement of proof of completion of a firearm safety course for the permit. Provides that permits are not required for firearm transfers until July 1, 2026. Establishes a temporary exception to the permit requirement for the transfer of certain firearms until July 1, 2028. Establishes a permanent exception to the permit requirement for active duty law enforcement and military. Modifies the affirmative defense language for the large capacity magazine provisions of Ballot Measure 114 (2022). Provides that a challenge to legality of the Act must be commenced in the Circuit Court for Marion County. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.”
“If 3075 goes into effect,” Starrett warned, “as far as I know all our legal action against 114 will be moot. And we would have to start all new lawsuits against the bill.”
That would be no small undertaking, legally and financially. While the gun prohibition lobby has lots of money, and the State of Oregon has limitless funds to defend its gun control laws, OFF does not have deep pockets. That was clear when he referred to the Measure 114 challenge, which could be announced soon, or perhaps not for several months.
“I assume any decision will be appealed,” he said, “but of course if we win the state has limitless resources and we do not.”
More than one year ago, after Harney County Circuit Judge Robert Raschio struck down Measure 114 as unconstitutional under the Oregon State Constitution, Starrett predicted to TGM that the Democrat-dominated legislature would simply try to introduce the initiative’s provisions as legislation. That is exactly what has happened.
In a Jan. 28 report at the OFF website, Starrett wrote, “If you’re paying attention to current legislation you know the Democrats are planning to use their majority to further erode, if not eliminate, firearm’s sales and ownership in Oregon.”
Several lines later, he observed, “The only possible response is unapologetic, unrelenting resistance. The minority party has the means. The question is, when will they stop bleating about ‘bipartisanship’ and ‘working across the aisle’ and start working for you?”
With gun control also being pushed in neighboring Washington—also by majority Democrats who seem increasingly anti-gun-rights—the entire Pacific Northwest has become a Second Amendment battlefield.
For native Oregonians and Washingtonians who once knew their states for their reasonable and responsible gun laws, the past two decades have been increasingly hostile to gun owners, according to grassroots activists like Starrett, who have been fighting in the trenches against well-financed and well-organized anti-gunners.
