🚨 Urgent Action Alert
We are devasted by the shooting at the Vancouver Mall. Help us prevent this from happening again.
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We also focus on
Preventing homicides & shootings

Keeping illegal guns out of our communities

In reality, most Oregonians - across all sides of the political aisle - agree that the firearm industry should be held to the same standards as all other industries.

Preventing the flow of illegal guns to our communities

Regulating the firearm industry

Weak national regulations, which were created by the NRA, have allowed the gun industry to operate with very little regulation and unsafe business practices.

Inspecting gun dealers

While food trucks and nail salons are inspected annually, the average gun dealer is only inspected once every 10 years in Oregon. Yet, gun dealers are the single largest source of crime guns in Oregon. While many gun dealers are responsible, we need licensing and inspecting protocols to address bad actors.

Preventing “straw” gun sales

The vast majority of firearm dealers are responsible. Yet, research has found a small number of gun shops allow irresponsible sales, including knowingly selling a gun as a “straw purchase” for someone who would not be able to pass a background check. Other times, staff simply aren't recognizing these sales. Two solutions: permitting for purchasers, and training for gun dealers - have been shown to significantly reduce straw gun sales, leading to reducing shootings and homicides. Permitting  - a process that requires a full application with fingerprints, training, and a meeting with law enforcement - has been found to reduce straw gun sales by up to 70%, significantly reducing the number of guns in circulation and used in crimes. Every person who sells firearms should be trained to recognize and prevent straw gun purchases.

All gun dealers must secure their inventory

Theft from gun shops is a significant problem in Oregon, linked to gun related crimes and connected to a thriving trafficking market, where guns are being trafficked from Oregon to Mexico. Gun shops should be required to properly secure their inventory.

Protecting victims and survivors

Domestic violence, and intimate partner violence, significantly increased during COVID and rates remain higher than pre-COVID. In 2023, at least 30 Oregonians were killed by intimate partners using firearms, several in murder-suicides. We are devastated by these lost lives, tragedies that devastate families and communities and could have been prevented.

Resources

Visit the Call to Safety website or call 888-235-5333.

You can also find shelter, advocacy or legal support on the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence website.

Improving Protection Orders

Today in Oregon, we have several types of protection orders that can help keep firearms away from those perpetuating abuse. However, more needs to be done to ensure these orders are effective.

Ensure the Firearms are Removed

Oregon today has an Extreme Risk Protection Order law that allows family members or law enforcement to petition to have firearms temporarily removed if someone has been found to be an immediate danger to themselves or others.

However, today, there is no process to verify that firearms have been removed.

Allow Former Partners to Petition

Today, only law enforcement, family or household members are allowed to petition for several different types of protection orders, including ERPOs. Former partners are often at risk. Join our advocacy efforts to call on lawmakers to make sure anyone experiencing violence can receive protection from the courts.

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