Oregon members: SB 335 to restrict CHL

This is a recreation of an earlier thread that was mistakenly merged with the Washington thread.

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OFF ALERT 1/25/05

GUN BAN HEARING SCHEDULED
As we predicted, Ginny Burdick has scheduled hearings on her gun ban bill at the Multnomah County Courthouse.
As you know, this bill (Senate Bill 335) would make you a criminal if you happened to show up at the same place where school children had gathered for a "field trip."
The hearing is scheduled to start at 8:30 on Friday Jan. 28th.
The exact location is listed below.
The hearing will be held at the courthouse to dissuade as many CHL holders as possible from coming, since they will be prohibited from entering the building if they are in possession of their legally carried firearms.
We fully expect this to be a dog and pony show for the media, with the supporters of the bill getting the most favorable treatment.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Date: Friday-January 28
Time: 8:30 A.M.
Location: Multnomah County Courthouse Room #602 1021 SW 4th Avenue Portland, Oregon
Public Hearing and Possible Work Session
SB 335
Allows school district boards to prohibit persons with concealed handgun licenses from carrying firearms on school property.
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For regular updates on times and meeting locations click here .
In this case the committee you will want to watch is "Judiciary."
If you intend to go to the hearing and testify, make sure you look for a sign up sheet when you enter the room.
Also, be advised that Burdick would almost certainly NOT have scheduled the hearing unless she had a promise from the other Democrats on the committee that the bill would pass out of committee. So any testimony you plan to give will be for the benefit of the media only.
Once again, the members of the committee are:

Ginny Burdick, Chair (The sponsor of the bill, although it will appear as "Sponsored By the Judiciary Committee) 503-986-1718
Charles Starr, Vice-Chair (A reliable pro-gun vote) 503-986-1713
Roger Beyer (A strong supporter of gun rights.) 503-986-1709
Floyd Prozanski (A militant anti-gun extremist) 503-986-1704
Charlie Ringo (A regular anti-gun voter) 503-986-1717
Vicki L Walker (A militant anti-gun extremist) 503-986-1707
Doug Whitsett (A newly elected Republican who answered our survey 100%) 503-986-1728

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I've called Sen. Burdick's office to ask why this legislation is being introduced, and both times all I got back was "The Oregon School Board Association passed a resolution calling for this sort of legislation, so that's what we're doing."

I wasn't able to make it either, I had hoped to be able to prepare some remarks last night and be there, but work also interfered for me.

Did you feel both sides were given a fair amount of time? Were there any arguments (from either side) that were well presented or "new"?
Did the pro-gun side focus on real information, or just remind the senators that we'll remember how they vote on this bill?

How about media-- what sort of media representation was there?

Thanks for being there and representing us!

I think the next move on this bill is up to Sen. Burdick.

O.F.F. said that the committee ignored the normal procedures for legislation ("normal procedures" being: notifying the committee of the meeting before notifying the "special interest groups" and allow the committee to vote on some changes to the bill before presenting it to the public).

What recourse is there for when that sort of thing happens? Can legislators be forced to follow the procedures? Is it common for procedures to be ignored?

Edited for clarity

And now this...

http://www.katu.com/stories/74567.html

Oregon Capitol security tightening mulled by lawmakers

By CHARLES E. BEGGS
Associated Press Writer

SALEM, Ore. - Legislative leaders called for improving security at the Capitol on Monday after police arrested a man who burst into the Senate chamber with a knife, held it to his chest and demanded to see the governor.

It was the first time in recent memory that someone took a weapon into the Capitol and threatened to use it, even if it was against himself.

The public has long enjoyed nearly unfettered access to the Capitol, even after the Sep. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

But that may change after Monday's incident, in which Boyd A. Owens, 54, of Salem ran into the Senate chamber carrying a butcher knife with a blade about 10 inches long.

The Senate hadn't yet begun meeting.

Owens, who has a criminal record, approached the front desk holding the knife to his chest and yelling obscenities, said Senate Secretary Judy Hall, the Senate's top staff member.

The Capitol's closed-circuit television system showed Owens as he shouted and gesticulated wildly.

Several minutes of the footage were broadcast on Oregon TV stations. Owens' words weren't audible because the Capitol TV's audio was switched off.

State Police Maj. Dan Durbin said Owens demanded to speak with the governor.

A SWAT team hostage negotiator spoke with Owens, who surrendered after about an hour.

He was charged criminal mischief, menacing and disorderly conduct and taken to Salem Hospital for a mental evaluation.

Police said there were no injuries in the incident.

Owens' motives were unclear. State criminal records show past convictions for drunken driving, assault, illegal drug possession and theft.

The incident occurred on the same day that NAMI, a major mental health advocacy organization, put up displays and held a news conference at the Capitol on its legislative goals.

Legislative leaders convened an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss ways to improve security.

Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, and House Speaker Karen Minnis, R-Wood Village, said the State Police has been asked for recommendations to improve Capitol security.

"I have been concerned about security in this building for some time. This incident demonstrates a critical need to review our security procedures," Minnis said.

Courtney said 18 states have metal detectors in their Capitol buildings, and Oregon may have to do the same.

"Obviously, this is a dose of reality," Courtney said. "We have tried to provide as much access as possible. This is very serious, this could have been a real tragedy.

"We will be discussing all forms of security," he said.

Besides legislative offices, the Capitol houses the main offices of the governor, secretary of state and state treasurer.

The only checks now made are searches of purses, briefcases and the like during major events such as gubernatorial inaugurations.

Although the public can freely walk around the Capitol during the day, access at night and weekends requires special key cards, which are also needed to use the basement parking garage.

Those steps were taken after the 2001, attacks, along with restricting parking in the front of the building.

Sen. Vicki Walker, D-Eugene, said she had raised the issue of Capitol security a year ago with legislative officials and was told installing metal detectors would be expensive.

"I'm here to protect my safety and the safety of my staff," she said. "If that man had had a gun he could have started shooting" before any security could have been called, she said.

Courtney said he was saddened that access to the premier government building in the state would have to be restricted.

"Perhaps all of our lives have changed in this building," he said.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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My wife told me that she saw a clip on the news of a legislator expressing concern about the event, and that he'd be getting his concealed handgun license "so that he could be safe at work". Unfortunately I do not have a link or references (or even a name) at this time. Still looking for those.

EDIT: Sen. Gary George (R) of Newberg is the legislator who is looking into getting his own concealed handgun. Way to go! (The news clip didn't actually show him making the statement-- the talking head reported that he's making those plans.)

I emailed my Senator and approach it from the other angle, that I want him to begin considering reciprocity with other states (holding my breath).

Click to expand...

Wow, you got fast results. HB 2456 doesn't just grant reciprocity, it honors all other concealed permits/licenses from other states.

Sponsored by Representative DALLUM; Representatives ANDERSON,
BOQUIST, BUTLER, FLORES, HANNA, KITTS, KROPF, KRUMMEL,
WHISNANT, Senator FERRIOLI

http://www.leg.state.or.us/05reg/measures/hb2400.dir/hb2456.intro.html

Stickjockey-- I'm not a lawyer, but based on my reading of the law and from what recall of my training:

Courthouses are legal, unless there is a very specificallly worded notice on every single entry of the courthouse saying that concealed handguns are not allowed. The wording is specified by law, and if that notice isn't on every single entrance, the notice is invalid.

Where I get fuzzy (at the moment) is if concealed carry is legal in the individual court rooms. I seem to recall hearing/reading that concealed carry is left up to the discretion of the individual judge of that court. (Don't worry, if I ever have to go to court or get called for jury duty, I'll double check before I go in.)

Why does that raise a concern for you?