Oregon sheriffs have pledged not to execute a severe gun restriction law approved by voters last week.
According to Fox News, at least five county sheriffs have openly refused to enforce at least some sections of the law. According to officials, the law violates constitutional gun rights and will place an additional burden on law enforcement while neglecting to address issues with more severe crimes.
“The most important thing is that this does not do anything to solve the problem,” Union County Sheriff Cody Bowen stated to Fox News. “Our issue is not one of magazine capacity. Background checks are not required. There is an issue with awareness about mental illness. It’s a behavioral health illness issue.”
“Rather than claiming that, you know, firearms are murdering people,” he continued, “our society as a whole represents a bigger problem.”
Measure 114 was supported by Organ voters, who voted for perhaps the harshest gun control laws in the country. The ballot proposition prohibits the sale or transfer of any magazine that could store more than ten ammunition rounds. The law also prohibits Oregonians from purchasing a firearm from a licensed dealer without first having a background check done by state police. Current government laws provide that if a background check is not completed, a possible purchase can only be delayed for up to three days.
Measure 114 seems to have succeeded by a small margin of 51% to 49%, though votes continue to be counted. By Wednesday night, six of Oregon’s 36 had voted in the bill’s favor.
Sheriffs around the state have shared Bowen’s worries about the bill, stating they are not going to enforce any of it.
According to the Willamette Week, Deputy Michelle Duncan stated on Facebook, “The Linn Co. Sheriff’s Office will NOT be implementing magazine capacity restrictions.” Sheriff Brad Lohrey, according to Sherman County Sheriff James Burgett, will not enforce the new limits either.
According to Fox News, Malheur Co. Sheriff Brian Wolfe stated that implementing Measure 114 would be a waste of his department’s resources.
