In the wake of the tragic mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, lawmakers in Oregon rushed to pass a new gun control law. The so-called “Reduction of Gun Violence Act” is one of the most restrictive gun laws in the country, and it has caused a spike in background checks.
The new law requires deeper background checks for firearm purchases as well as training and fingerprint collection before purchase. It also creates a database of gun owners that will be made public. The National Rifle Association has identified key issues with this measure’s language that fail to protect personal information being made public which puts lives and property at risk.
Gun control advocates say that these measures are necessary to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. But research shows that such measures have little effect on crime rates. In fact, they may even make it more difficult for law-abiding citizens to defend themselves.
Oregon’s gun control law is an unnecessary mess that does nothing to reduce gun violence. It should be repealed immediately.
