Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW FBI: No toxic substances found so far in suspicious letters sent to Oregon sheriff's offices ... Emergency Services, July 28 ... I-5 crash kills one Medford woman, injures another ... FBI: No toxic substances found so far in suspicious letters sent to Oregon sheriff's offices ... Emergency Services, July 28 ... I-5 crash kills one Medford woman, injures another ... JOSEPHINE COUNTY Josephine County commissioners oppose tougher gun laws Comment By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Mar. 12, 2015 at 4:05 PM By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Mar. 12, 2015 at 4:05 PM » Social News The Josephine County Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 Wednesday to oppose expanding background checks for private gun sales. Despite heavy pressure, Commissioner Cherryl Walker voted no. The resolution passed by the board refers to a section of the county charter that states: "The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." Expanded background checks, according to the resolution, "does act as a restraint upon the citizen to keep and bear arms." Anne Basker Auditorium in downtown Grants Pass was near capacity, and the majority in attendance clearly supported the resolution. The board took public testimony and 15 people urged the board to pass the resolution. "This is an agenda being pushed by forces outside Oregon," said Ron Glynn of Wolf Creek, referring to expanded background checks. "If a criminal wants a gun, he will find a gun." Former Sheriff Gil Gilbertson told the board he is "proud of you for standing up and taking a stand." Local veteran Joseph Rice surveyed the audience and said, "I think (the resolution) is well represented in this room." Nobody spoke against the resolution. After public testimony, Walker seconded fellow Commissioner Simon Hare's motion to approve the resolution, explaining that it was important to move the issue forward. Walker then detailed her background as a gun owner and how she and her husband are shooters and they are teaching their 12 grandchildren to shoot. But she also said that background checks are appropriate, adding that she had heard from many people who oppose the resolution but who had not spoken that night. "I want the people who didn't come here tonight to know I'm not going to hide under a basket," she said. She also told the audience that there are only three bills at the Oregon Legislature now that are related to gun laws, and none of those promote expanding background checks. Oregon law currently requires background checks to purchase firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers and at gun shows. "This resolution isn't going to change anybody's mind in the Legislature," she said. She then voted no on the resolution. Hare and Commission Chairman Keith Heck voted yes.  Reach reporter Jim Moore at 541-474-3721 or [email protected]. By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Mar. 12, 2015 at 4:05 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501