OHA Legislative Report
Gun storage ballot initiative roars back to life
By Al Elkins, OHA Lobbyist
A new ballot measure has been submitted to the Oregon Secretary of State: The “Safe Gun Storage” Ballot Measure 2020-040 states:
A person who owns or possesses a firearm shall, at all times that the firearm is not carried by or under the control of the person or an authorized person, secure the firearm:
- With an engaged trigger lock or cable lock…
- In a locked container, equipped with a tamper-resistant lock…
The measure also addresses guns being used while hunting by saying that this measure does not apply if the unsecured firearm was obtained:
- For the purpose of hunting, trapping or target shooting, during the time in which the person is engaged in activities related to hunting, trapping or target shooting.
You can find a copy of the ballot measure here: http://oregonvotes.org/irr/2020/040text.pdf
This ballot measure is basically the same as Ballot Measure 44 from 2018. OHA and our allies were successful in the Oregon Supreme Court in stopping that before it got to voters. It is also similar to parts of SB 928 that was defeated in the 2019 Legislative Session. The gun owner would be responsible and liable for a stolen gun even if it is locked up. Like earlier attempts, there is no reference at all for stiffer penalties for those who actually steal guns.
“Ban Home Defense” should be the title of this ballot measure because it requires that your self-defense firearms be locked away. OHA will be working with gun rights advocacy groups to help defeat this ballot measure. Stay tuned; the fight has just begun (again). If this measure gathers enough signatures, it would appear on the November 2020 ballot.
Final Legislative Wrap Up
The 2019 Legislative Session is over. Here is one last look at the status of the bills OHA was following throughout the Session.
Bill Updates
Bills Passed and Signed
- HB 3035 Poaching Penalties: This is the bill we have been working on with OSP and ODFW to increase maximum penalties for wildlife violations.
Update: This bill has been signed by the Governor.
- HB 2834 Safe Wildlife Passage: Bill requires ODFW, in consultation with Department of Transportation, to develop Wildlife Corridor and Safe Road Crossing Action Plan for use by state agencies. OHA has testified in favor of this bill.
Update: This bill has been signed by the Governor.
- HB 2069 Unallocated Big Game Tags: Removes requirement that State Fish and Wildlife Commission issue leftover game mammal hunting tags to anyone first-come, first-served; allows ODFW to restrict leftover tags to those who have not drawn a tag.
Update: This bill has been signed by the Governor.
- HB 2294 Commercial Urine Products: Bans any commercial cervid urine product that is designed for luring, attracting, or enticing cervids. Goes into effect January 1, 2020. Update: The bill has been signed by the Governor.
- HB 2068 Percentage of Nonresident Tags: Increases percentage of nonresident tags that can be issued for hunting of black bear, cougar and antelope within areas that may be issued by drawing.
Update: This bill has been signed by the Governor.
- SB 5510 ODFW Budget: The Governor’s ODFW budget did not include funds for the anti-poaching campaign that the Legislature mandated in a budget note OHA requested last year, so OHA lobbied to get those funds restored to the budget.
Update: This bill has been signed by the Governor.
- HB 2841 Information Disclosure: This bill allows ODFW to refuse disclosure of information relevant to department ability to manage or protect described fish or wildlife species or individual members or populations of species. Exempts information from disclosure as public record.
Update: This bill has been signed by the Governor.
Bills That Died
- SB 978 Gun Sales & Storage Restrictions:
SB 978, the gun bill that was introduced this legislative session, is dead as a result of a compromise reached by Senate Republicans and Senate Democrats.
- HB 3118 Cougar Bill: Authorizes expanded use of agents for cougar removal.
Update: The bill died in Committee.
- HB 2293 Residency Requirements: Amends residency requirements for purposes of licenses, tags and permits related to wildlife.
Update: The bill died in Committee.
- SB 723 Coyote Hunting Contest Ban:
Update: The bill died in Committee.
- HB 2361 Multi-year Resident and Nonresident Hunting Licenses: Requires the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to establish and prescribe fees for multi-year resident and nonresident hunting licenses. Sets agent fee for issuance of each multi-year license at $5.
Update: The bill died in Committee.
- HB 2566 & 2082 ATV licensing and registration: Died in Committee.
- HB 2072 Game check stations: The bill died in Ways and Means.
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