Current Status of SB 719 (ERPO), SB 797, and SB 764

Due to a procedural error, the following bills were not carried forward from a public hearing on April 17 to a work session scheduled for April 18.

• ERPO: Extreme Risk Protection Order is now SB 719 (was SB 868). The bill passed out of the Senate on May 1 and is in the House Rules Committee as of May 9.

• FSP: Firearm Safety Package (Close Charleston & Dating Partner Loopholes, etc., was SB 797) is expected to be renamed and introduced in the Senate Rules Committee.

• FRMA: Oregon Firearm Regulation Modernization Act (relating to concealed handgun licenses, was SB 764) is expected to be renamed and introduced in the Senate Rules Committee.

ERPO: EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDER SB 719 (was SB 868)

Too often, families see the warning signs before someone commits an act of gun violence. But Oregon law lacks the necessary tools to temporarily remove firearms from people in crisis showing clear evidence they are a danger to themselves and others.

Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) empower families and law enforcement to prevent gun tragedies. Similar to laws in Washington, California, and Connecticut, ERPO establishes a civil court process to restrict access to firearms for up to a year based on clear and convincing evidence.

• ERPO: Empowering Families
  • In many shootings, family members had seen their loved ones engage in dangerous behaviors even before any violence occurred.
  • Family members are often the first to know when a loved one is in crisis, but frequently lack the tools to intervene before it is too late.
  • An Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) fills this gap by creating a mechanism to work with law enforcement to temporarily remove guns.
• ERPO: Preventing Gun Suicides
  • The vast majority (83%) of gun deaths in Oregon are from suicide.
  • People experiencing a crisis may be at an elevated risk of suicide. Those in a suicidal crisis are much more likely to survive if they do not have easy access to firearms.
  • In Connecticut, the law has been estimated to prevent one suicide for every 10-20 orders served.
• ERPO: Building Common Ground
  • Senate Bill 868 is the result of bipartisan collaboration with law enforcement to design the right approach for Oregon.
  • The goal is to temporarily intervene so people can get the care they need before they harm themselves or others. That is something we can all support.

FSP: FIREARM SAFETY PACKAGE: CLOSE CHARLESTON AND DATING PARTNER LOOPHOLES; NO GUNS FOR STALKERS (was SB 797)

Oregon’s Firearm Safety Act (SB 941) is landmark legislation that requires background checks for almost all firearm sales. But people who are a danger to others can still obtain firearms through loopholes in the law. The Firearm Safety Package closes those loopholes, enforces laws already on the books, and prohibits convicted stalkers from having guns.

• FSP: Close the Charleston Loophole
  • Federal law permits a firearm sale to proceed after three business days even if the buyer’s background check has not been completed.
  • According to FBI data, this loophole has allowed gun sales to more than 55,000 prohibited purchasers from 1998 to 2015. http://labs.time.com/story/gun-loophole/
  • The Firearm Safety Package will allow law enforcement to complete background checks on potential gun buyers before completely a sale.
• FSP: Close the Dating Partner Loophole
  • Current federal and Oregon law prohibit gun possession by people convicted of domestic abuse or who are under a restraining order for domestic abuse. The laws do not, however, cover abuse between dating partners.
  • SB 797 would protect victims of domestic violence by prohibiting gun purchase and possession by abusive dating partners.
• FSP: People convicted of stalking are not permitted to purchase or possess guns
• FSP: Additional tools for law enforcement to prosecute illegal purchases
  • The bill will ensure that information is shared with all relevant law enforcement agencies so dangerous people who break the law are held accountable.

FRMA: OREGON FIREARM REGULATION MODERNIZATION ACT (was SB 764-3)

This bill would change laws regarding concealed handgun licenses and clarify some aspects of the Oregon Firearm Safety Act (SB 941).

• FRMA: Changing Concealed Handgun License (CHL) Laws
  • Currently, Oregon law does not require that a CHL applicant touch a gun. This bill would improve CHL training by requiring a minimum of 25 rounds fired; training in safe loading, unloading, storage, and carrying of firearms.
  • The bill also requires training in current laws governing lawful use of a firearm including self defense, the use of force including deadly force, and transporting and concealing handguns.
  • Current law requires all CHL applicants to be 21 years of age. This bill would allow service members who are 18 years of age to apply for a CHL.
  • People who participate in Address Confidentiality or Continuous Traveler Programs would have their privacy protected when applying for a CHL.
  • The bill would extend CHL licenses from 4 to 5 years. Ceasefire Oregon does not support that aspect of the bill.
  • The bill would allow honorably retired parole and probation officers concealed handgun license privileges. Ceasefire Oregon does not support exceptions to CHL applicants.
• FRMA: Helping Responsible Hunters Stay Within The Law
  • Makes reasonable exceptions in SB 941 for gun owners transferring firearms while in the process of preparing to, or completing, hunting or target practice.