October 5 Gun Safety Panel

VIEW THE VIDEO or LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

How can we protect our communities and schools from gun violence?

This panel Discussion is also available as a podcast here.

PANELISTS:

The panelists (left to right):

Dr. Kathleen Carlson, Chair, Gun Violence Prevention Research Center (GVPRC) at Oregon Health and Science University. In 2022, Dr. Carlson launched the GVPRC to collect objective data and evaluate novel interventions to inform policy makers in their work.

Pastor Edward Williams, FITCOG Chair . In June 2021, the Portland Police Bureau launched the Focused Intervention Team Community Oversight Group in response to the growing gun violence crisis in Portland. FITCOG works to reduce gun violence through prevention, intervention, and response.

Andrew Scott, Chair, Portland Public Schools, Board of Education. Andrew has more than 20 years of experience in the public sector and currently serves as Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Metro. He grew up in Southwest Portland and attended PPS schools. His two children currently attend a PPS school.

Paul Kemp, representing Gun Owners for Responsible Ownership. Paul Kemp became an advocate for responsible gun use and safety after his brother-in-law was shot and killed in the 2012 mass shooting at the Clackamas Town Center.

Moderator Marge Easley covers gun safety legislation for the LWV of Oregon Action Committee.

MetroEast Community Media recorded this program for the video and podcast.

Gun Safety for all Oregonians

As we all know, gun violence has reached a crisis point in our state and in the nation. You can help make Oregon a safer place for children, racial minorities – and all of us. You can sign and help gather signatures for Initiative Petition 17, a statewide gun safety initiative sponsored by Lift Every Voice Oregon (LEVO) and endorsed by the League of Women Voters of Oregon.

The initiative is now in the signature-gathering phase with the goal of placing it on the November ballot. The campaign is relying heavily on volunteer support, and we are asking our members and friends for their help before the July 6 deadline.

ACTION REQUESTED: Please go to www.lifteveryvoiceoregon.com.

If you’d like to download and sign a one-signature petition sheet, please click “Sign Initiative Petition from Home.” After signing, you must also complete the circulator information at the bottom before mailing to the address provided.
If you’re willing to gather multiple signatures, click “Train to Gather Signatures” and follow the instructions provided.
Please get the word out to friends and family members about IP 17 and how they can be part of the solution to prevent gun violence.

THANK YOU!

Here’s a brief summary of the initiative:

Requires a permit-to-purchase for all firearm purchases, which includes classroom and live-fire safety training. This is the gold standard for gun safety regulations and has a proven track record of reducing gun violence where enacted.
Requires a background check before purchasing a firearm, and no sale is complete before the check is completed.
Includes an improved database system to assist the tracking of guns that are lost, stolen, or used to commit crimes.
Prohibits the manufacture, sale, transfer, and possession of magazines over 10 rounds, with exceptions for law enforcement and military. Nine states and D.C. have already enacted such bans.

A day of love and mourning

It is sad that Valentine’s Day – a day dedicated to love – is also a day that symbolizes the tragedy of gun violence in our country. As students and families in Parkland, Florida, remember the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School a year ago, we call for policies that could prevent more gun-related tragedies. Gun rights come with responsibilities for keeping guns out of the hands of people – including children – who could harm themselves or others. See our Highlights video on Gun Safety and the legislation the Oregon League is supporting this year HB 2505, HB 2251 and SB 501).

Improving Gun Safety – Video Highlights

Gun violence is a tragedy in our country. How can we make our homes, schools and communities safer? In March 2017, the Portland League presented a panel discussion about gun safety. Click below for highlights of what the speakers said about preventing gun deaths in Oregon and constitutional gun safety laws we can adopt. Improving gun safety is a priority for us. See more about our current work.