Gun laws in Oregon could dramatically change depending on how a federal judge rules. A trial over the state’s gun control law begins Monday, June 5, to settle a lengthy legal process over a measure passed by Oregon voters in November. Opponents of the law argue it violates the U.S. Constitution.
The trial will be held before a judge at the U.S. Federal District Court in Portland. If the judge rules the gun control law is not in violation of the Second Amendment, then Oregon will become one of the most restrictive states to purchase a gun in.
The measure at hand includes some of the toughest gun controls in the nation. It requires residents to undergo a safety training course in order to obtain a permit to purchase a gun. It also requires background checks, and bans the sale or transfer of high-capacity magazines with more than 10 rounds.
Gun rights advocates pounced on the proposal after Oregon voters passed it in 2022.
There are two major lawsuits in play preventing it from taking effect. This lawsuit claims the measure violates the U.S. Constitution. Another one, filed in state court in rural southeastern Oregon, claims the measure violates the state constitution. The latter doesn’t go to trial until September.
Even after that decision comes down, it’s likely to face an appeal, which would further delay the new gun laws from going into effect.
Right now, there is silent chaos in the state legislature. Republican senators are going on five weeks absent from their jobs in the longest-staged walkout in the state’s history.
Other gun safety laws, including one that would raise the minimum age to purchase a gun from 18 to 21, are stalling out amid a partisan stalemate. Because of the state’s current gun laws in question, gun sales in Oregon skyrocketed by 400% in the wake of potential change.
