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Oregon Lawmakers Could Merge Two Major Gun Bills

Oregon lawmakers are considering a proposal to merge two gun bills.
Chris Lehman
/
KLCC
Oregon lawmakers are considering a proposal to merge two gun bills.

Oregon lawmakers held a hearing Wednesday on a proposal that would combine two of the leading gun regulation bills still in play at the capitol this session.

The Oregon Senate approved a bill last month, SB 554, that would allow government bodies to ban firearms from their buildings, even if the owner has a concealed weapons permit.

An amendment being pushed in the House Rules Committee would change that to only allow public schools and universities to enact such a policy, along with the state Capitol itself.

Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, was not pleased with that proposed change. “I would submit to you that it is important and imperative that we extend that prohibition on a mandatory basis to all state buildings, not just the Capitol building,” he said.

The new measure would also incorporate a separate House bill, HB 2510, that would require gun owners to keep their firearms locked up when not in use. That bill was scheduled for a vote on the House floor earlier this month, but Democrats delayed its consideration.

If the House Rules Committee approves the amendment that combines the two bills, it would go to the House floor for a vote, and if passed, it would return to the Senate for a concurrence vote. 

Copyright 2021 KLCC. To see more, visit KLCC.

Chris Lehman has been reporting on Oregon issues since 2006. He joined the KLCC news department in December, 2018. Chris was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and graduated from Temple University with a degree in journalism. His public broadcasting career includes stops in Louisiana and Illinois. Chris has filed for national programs including “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered.”