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 Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... OTHER VIEWS Other Views: Gun background check bill won't make us safer Comment By Albany Democrat-Herald MailTribune.com By Albany Democrat-Herald Posted Mar. 28, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Albany Democrat-Herald Posted Mar. 28, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News It's likely that the Oregon Legislature soon will be considering a bill to expand background checks on almost every gun transaction in the state. And it seems just as likely that this particular Legislature, with Democrats enjoying increased majorities, will be able to send the measure to the desk of Gov. Kate Brown. Similar bills have failed to advance in the Legislature in 2013 and 2014. The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Floyd Prozanski, told The Oregonian last week that he's finishing work on his proposals. Prozanski told the newspaper that this version of the bill offers more specifics than previous versions, and hoped that would defuse some of the criticism the proposal drew in past sessions. This is one of those Oregon issues (the list includes the state clean-fuels program) that has attracted national attention — and some campaign dough — for state Democratic candidates in the last election. Michael Bloomberg's Everytown for Gun Safety group donated $200,000 this past election season to Oregon candidates, with a specific eye on increasing the Democratic majority in the state Senate. The problem is that the proposal likely would not do anything to make Oregonians safer. In fact, another prominent Democrat, House Judiciary Chairman Jeff Barker, a retired Portland police officer, has said he doubts that expanding background checks would have much impact. At present, Oregon requires background checks for gun purchases from a licensed dealer or at a gun show. The state currently runs checks on about 20,000 gun sales a month; of those, about 200 sales are denied because prospective buyers fall into a prohibited category, such as having a felony conviction or having been committed because of a mental illness. Prozanski proposes expanding the background check to gun transfers between individuals. Opponents of the proposal say it's silly to require background checks in all instances — when a hunting buddy lets a friend borrow a weapon, for example, or when family members swap guns. Prozanski says he's working to iron out those exceptions. Which is fine, but it doesn't address the key issue: How would the expanded background checks keep weapons away from people who intend to commit crimes? After all, it's not as if police agencies have the resources to follow every case in which a prospective buyer fails a background check. Prozanski recognizes that, but said his bill would order that local law agencies be informed whenever someone fails a background check so at least they have access to the information. All of which again bolsters our primary objection to the measure: It limits our Second Amendment rights, but it offers little, if anything, in return in terms of enhanced public safety. If we were serious about public safety, we would take the money we're about to invest in expanded background checks and spend it on mental health programs — areas where we might see an actual return on our investment. By Albany Democrat-Herald MailTribune.com By Albany Democrat-Herald Posted Mar. 28, 2015 at 12:01 AM » 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