Today we pass on a message from Lift Every Voice Oregon, an advocacy group promoting the safe use of and storage of guns in order to reduce if not eliminate gun violence.

From Lift Every Voice Oregon:
We thank all who were able to make contacts in support of  HB 3223 and HB 3265. Your voice is truly making a difference. We will keep the pressure on.


Today, however,  we have the opportunity to Lift Every Voice in favor of two very important bills that are moving through the legislature that will have a significant impact on gun safety and public health. They are SB 978-5 and HB 2013.  A brief description of each follows:

• The Senate Bill (SB 978-5) has many strong provisions seeking responsible action by private gun dealers, stores and individuals who may raise the minimum age from 18 up to 21 for purchasers. All gun owners must use gun locks for transfer of guns and for storage where children may be present or be liable for injuries caused. Guns, even those carried by those with concealed carry permits, may be restricted from public buildings, and "ghost" or printed guns are declared unlawful anywhere. Other provisions increase fees for permit applications and require hospitals to report information about gun related injuries for analysis by OHP. 
  

• The House Bill (HB 2013-4) provides that persons subject to court protective orders (e.g., for stalking or domestic violence) are prohibited from possessing firearms, including those already in possession, within 24 hours of the charge.
  

A panel from LEVO [Lift Every Voice Oregon] testified strongly in favor of SB 978, which has been passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee for a full vote of the Senate.  HB 2013 is currently moving through the House. The letters of support offered by Lift Every Voice Oregon directors are posted on our LEVO web page HERE. 
Both of these bills will make a real difference in Oregon and we encourage you to e-mail, write or call your legislative leaders as well as the leadership of the House and Senate.
You can find a full roster of the legislature HERE. When you make your contacts, let them know you are part of the Lift Every Voice Oregon [and OR UU Voices for Justice] movement, as well as any other associations you may have.
This year there have been a record number of bills brought to the legislative session related to gun safety and public health. Your voice and all who are part of Lift Every Voice Oregon are truly making a difference. Let's all continue this vital work for the well being of our children and youth and all Oregonians and encourage others to join the campaign with their time and gifts.
Blessings,
Rev. W. J. Mark Knutson, Chair, Lift Every Voice Oregon
​

​Your Action of the Week is
"Support Gun Violence Control legislation NOW!"

The OR legislature is now in session. We will be following bills as they are introduced and suggesting Action's we can take to have our liberal voices of faith heard.

​At our annual meeting last year, we heard from Penelope Sturr, the student from Lake Oswego High School, who addressed us on the need to end gun violence. She and Students for Change have submitted a bill which was co-written by March for Our Lives and sponsored by Senator Rob Wagner. In the House, it is sponsored by Representative Andrea Salinas. It is bill number SB 501.

There are at least seven different pieces of legislation regarding ending gun violence. These are all worthy of our support. The most comprehensive bill is the "Student's Bill", SB501. SB501 has six components
1. Requirement for a permit to buy a gun
2. A limit to purchase 1 handgun and 1 rifle shotgun per month
3. Safe gun storage requirement
4. Limits on purchases of ammunition to 20 rounds per month (with an exception for ammunition purchased at a shooting range
5. Limits on high capacity magazines — no more than 5 rounds per
​6. Implementation of a 14 day waiting period from purchase to pickup of a gun

The House and Senate sponsors (Rep. Salinas and Sen. Wagner have been flooded with a wave of opposition and even threats of violence. They need to hear from us with statements of support and encouragement that they are doing the right thing. Your Acton of the Week Contact Sen. Wagner and Rep. Salinas with statements of support for both them and SB501, telling them "Thank you for your support of sensible gun safety regulations. We are in support of student safety and Senate Bill 501.
​
Their email addresses are
Sen.RobWagner@oregonlegislature.gov and Rep.AndreaSalinas@oregonlegislature.gov.

And follow that up with a note to your own Representative and Senator stating your strong support for this legislation and asking that they support it as well.

​Find your representative and senator here.: htps:eewww.oregonlegislature.goveindyourlegislatoreleg-districts.html

​
Gun violence has not been in the headlines lately. But we know sooner or later another mass shooting will take place. Advocates for reducing gun violence need to let elected officials know NOW what we expect them to support during the 2019 legislative session.

What can we do now?
Passing effective laws during the 2019 legislative session means working now on the issue. Most of those presently holding legislative office will hold those same positions next year. So contacting them now will put the issue on their table and let them know that we still feel the urgency for getting legislation passed whether the issue is in the headlines or not.

What kind of legislation?
Legislative proposals divide into two groups: Safe storage, and legislative limits on guns and availability.

​Safe Storage: Safe gun storage, based on the idea that preventing children, and others from gaining unauthorized access to firearms may be the most important part of responsible gun ownership. Oregon should join other states which have passed safe storage laws. See this fact sheet for additional details.

Legislative limits on guns and availability: Students for Change and March for Our Lives PDX have approached Sen. Rob Wagner with a list of proposed legal changes regarding guns. He has submitted these to Legislative Council with the support of other Senators and Representatives. Here are their proposed reforms:

• Permit to Purchase and firearm training
• Violent misdemeanor surrender of arms
• Limit gun sales to 1 firearm/30 days
• Limit sales of ammunition in correlation with firearms 
• Anti-theft and theft reporting requirement
• Waiting period of 2 weeks and enforcement of background check completion whether or not the waiting period has elapsed
• Limiting high capacity magazine size to 5 rounds or less

Other gun violence prevention organizations have other proposals as well.Lift Every Voice Oregon has two proposals: banning large capacity magazines and banning future sales of assault weapons.

Your Action of the Week is to write your Oregon state senator and representative, asking them to support any and all of these changes. DO IT NOW. Get on the record. Voice your desire for reducing gun violence.