Bipartisan Gun Bill Passed the Senate
SB 525B will align Oregon laws with Federal standards to keep guns away from domestic violence offenders
(SALEM, Ore) — The Senate approved consensus legislation this morning that will protect families by bringing Oregon laws into alignment with federal laws prohibiting gun possession for perpetrators of domestic violence.
Senate Bill 525B will prohibit the possession of a firearm or ammunition by most people who are subject to a restraining order or who have been convicted of certain misdemeanor crimes involving domestic violence.
The bill passed the Senate 24-6.“Federal law prohibits the possession of firearms by domestic violence offenders, but because this law is not codified in Oregon, our law enforcement officers can’t enforce the law and victims are not safe,” said Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson, chief sponsor of SB 525B.
“This bill will allow local enforcement to protect families by prohibiting dangerous domestic violence offenders from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Simply put, Senate Bill 525B will save lives.”
Senate Bill 525B provides that a person under a Family Abuse Prevention Act restraining order may not possess a firearm or ammunition.
In order for the prohibition to apply, the respondent must have had both notice and a hearing before the court.
Additionally, the measure states that if a person is convicted of a qualifying misdemeanor and the victim was a family member at the time of the offense, they may not possess a firearm or ammunition.
“Domestic violence is a public health crisis in Oregon,” said Senator Elizabeth Steiner Hayward (D-Beaverton), a chief sponsor of the bill and a family physician.
“Access to firearms by domestic abusers is a key factor in whether or not violence will be deadly, and victims are 500 percent more likely to be murdered by an abuser when a gun is present.
This compelling statistic makes clear the need for Oregon law to mirror federal law and prohibit firearm possession by adjudicated domestic violence offenders.
” SB 525B is the product of bipartisan negotiations and has the support of the Oregon Law Center, Children First for Oregon, the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence, and Americans for Responsible Solutions, among others.
“Changing gun laws is always delicate business,” said Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland).
“I am thrilled that bipartisan cooperation has allowed us to pass SB 525B on the Senate floor.
Protecting the safety of domestic violence victims should never be a partisan issue.”
SB 525B will now go to the House of Representatives for consideration.
