PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Oregon Secretary of State has verified enough signatures to allow a gun control initiative to be on this November’s ballot.
Lift Every Voice Oregon, who sponsored Initiative Petition 17, collected more than 130,000 signatures in support of it. That is about 20,000 more than needed to get approved.
IP 17 would require a permit to buy a gun, which includes safety training and a completed background check. It would also ban magazines which hold more than 10 rounds.
The Rev. Dr. WJ Mark Knutson, the chair of Lift Every Voice Oregon, said they’ve been trying to get this on the ballot for years. This is the first time they’ve gotten this far.
Knutson said what is different this time is “the incredible volunteer effort. Teenagers have been at the heart of this.”
He added his dream is to “make communities safer.” And he’s hopeful this becomes law.
KOIN 6 News repeatedly reached out to 2nd Amendment activist groups, the NRA, Republican lawmakers, Oregon’s gubernatorial candidates and gun shops to get their take on this ballot initiative.
The NRA Oregon state director Aoibheann Cline replied with the following statement: “When saddled with politicians who refuse to prosecute and discourage prosecution of criminals as violent crime reaches a 30 year high, it’s difficult to understand why anyone would support an initiative that makes it more difficult for law-abiding people to defend themselves, their loved ones, and their homes. The NRA vehemently opposes this initiative and will work to defeat it come November.”,
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tina Kotek responded saying, “Gun violence is preventable, but only if our leaders have the courage to stand up to the NRA and fight for common-sense gun safety policies. I endorse this ballot measure, and I am the only candidate for governor who will tackle the crisis of gun violence. Both Betsy Johnson and Christine Drazan have voting records that earned A ratings from the NRA, and Oregonians cannot trust them to keep our communities safe.”
The other groups, candidates and gun shots did not respond.