Gun Control Archives - Patriot Firearms of Oregon

Oregon’s 3 Candidates on Gun Control

State of Oregon – Governor Canidates. Picture courtesy of Katu.com

Looking on to Oregon’s November election, Oregonians will have to decide the fate of how Oregon will be either thrive or be ruined by the next Govenor of the state. The 3 candidates that are running for office are: Tina Kotek (Democrat), Betsy Johnson (Independent), and Christine Drazan (Republican). Wait one second! I know you’re ready to vote on party loyalty, but let’s see how Firearm friendly our candidates are! We are using a 1 out of 10 rating system.

Starting with Oregon’s Democratic nominee, Tina Kotek is she anti-gun or pro-gun friendly? Tina’s voting record starts in 2011-2021. In 2012, House Bill (HB) 4045 Tina Voted No, not to ban public accessibility to licensed concealed handgun (C.H.L.) carriers’ information. However, 1 month later she Yes, on a concurrent vote, and votes in favor of banning public disclosure of C.H.L. carries information. So, you would assume she’s pro-2A!

Democrat Nominee – Tina Kotek Voting Record Courtesy of Votesmart.org

Wait, Tina’s only pro-2A when it comes to CHL privacy. After 2012, Shes voted in favor to allow Oregon counties to ban the use of dogs when controlling the cougar/mountain lion population. In 2016 a vote in favor for 10-day delay of transfer or firearm purchases, after a successful passed background check of the buyer. Most recently in 2021 has voted in favor of banning firearms on local and state property including but not limited to: hospitals, universities, any government property including parks: campgrounds, desolate properties, post offices, city halls, essentially any property owned and/or occupied by any level of government. Although we do applaud her for voting in favor of banning firearms for domestic abusers and convicted serial stalkers.

Just 1 month ago, on Twitter Tina came out to say she’s in favor of further expanding background checks and supporting “Red Flag Laws” which means that the police or any government agency can come into your home at any time and confiscate your firearms, especially if you make calls for suicide or threaten to kill anyone. Additionally, while on the campaign trail Tina openly supported Oregon Ballot Measure 114 (formerly IP17), which calls for extreme gun control. Like her politics we give Tina Kotek an Anti-GUN friendly rating of 10/10 and pro-gun rating of 0/10.

Independent Nominee – Betsy Johnson Voting Record Courtesy of Votesmart.org

Next in line Independent Betsy Johnson. Betsy’s track record on gun control is very astute, especially being a former democrat, and getting the boot from her own political party in 2018! This is highly attractive for those moderate Conservative and moderate Liberal political voters; and a fresh of breath air for the Independent Oregon party which hasn’t had much traction since 1937 (the last Oregon Independent Governor of the state). Betsy has voted against every form of gun control and in favor of protecting constitution and 2A rights. There are some arguable votes, such as: not banning stalkers and suicidal persons from owning a gun; but for the rest of it, we feel she has a solid grip on what’s going on and what should be going on when it comes to firearms. We give Betsy Johnson an Anti-GUN friendly rating of 1/10 and pro-gun rating of 9/10.

Lastly, the GOP nominee Christine Drazan. She has not had much experience in the political realm but has a voting record of being in-favor of the second amendment and not gun control. However, there are clams Christine is a RINO (republican in name only), we find this not to be true. Her voting record in terms of being pro police friendly has shown she has not voted or took an absentee vote for these ballots. This is the only gray area we have seen with her. We give Christine Drazan an Anti-GUN friendly rating of 1/10 and pro-gun rating of 7/10.

Republican Nominee – Christine Drazan Voting Record Courtesy of Votesmart.org

In conclusion, if you want an anti-gun candidate you know who to vote for. If you want a candidate pro-2A your best choice is going to be Betsy Johnson, then secondly Christine Drazan. Voting on party loyalty has gotten Oregon in the mess it’s in, and the USA in political term oil worldwide in the past 2 years. Oregon’s politics for the last 30+ years have been controlled by the democratic party. Since then, it’s been scandal after scandal with governors and mayors, with both the city and state turning to a cesspool of crap.

If you’re a small business or big business, or a resident of the State of Oregon and tired of the: drugs, gang members, graffiti, lack of police and police response time, homelessness, road redevelopments, increased taxes, high property tax, the unethical force of vaccinations and closure of businesses, do NOT vote blue on this election, including for city of Portland commissioner positions. Like Phil Knight gave millions of dollars to Betsy Johnson and Christine Drazan’s’ campaign, we proudly endorse both Betsy and Christine – basically any other candidate than Tina Kotek. Oregon does not need a continuation of Kate Brown Politics!

Governor Candidate: Anti-Gun Rating Scale

Governor Candidate: Pro-2A Gun Rating Scale

Click Here – To Read Tina Kotek Voter Records for Gun Control.

Click Here – To Read Betsy Johnson Voter Records for Gun Control.

Click Here – To Read Christine Drazan Voter Records for Gun Control.

Visa, Mastercard, AMX to Track Gun Purchases

Stemming from congressional letter sent on September 13th 2022 to: Visa, Mastercard, and American Express CEO’s; US Senator Josh Hawley (MO.) brought to light national news of the Big 3 Credit Card companies‘ intentions that will track firearm and firearm related purchases. One group might think this is a great idea, while others may think it’s a terrible one. Well, let’s evaluate what’s at risk, and what potential outcomes may occur.

Senator Josh Hawley, Header Letter to Visa, AMX, Mastercard.

Senator Hawley confronts 2 main issues that are reasons for concern. The first being a potential abuse of power by big: Banks, Tech, and Government; and secondly being the law-abiding citizen potential for being discriminated by institutions. Additional we have our own reason of concern which hasn’t been voiced by the senator or other leading gun advocacy groups. Our concern is the following: if these institutions can track and create a registry of lawful gun and gun related purchases, they can easily have “database breaches“, which would then have private information go public. Law-abiding citizens, then could be potentially targeted for home invasions and their information distributed to target their financial wellness and civil liberties.

Other target forms of harassment could be a barrier for those firearm purchasing individuals. Which translates to not being able to make any or all purchases, because they are on a blacklist so to say. These lists have potential to create RedFlags in their financial credit scores, or possibly have purchases denied, as the big 3 could ban transactions at sporting good locations. Its flat-out financial discrimination, and an attack on civil liberties, and free will. Not to mention, this “data collection” of firearm and firearm related products that are purchased, would be sold off to the highest bidder. Just like Facebook and Google’s targeted ads, they will use the data to attract and attack 2A enthusiast.

A question of thought for these Big 3 financial institutions, why haven’t they done the same for pedophiles and adult store purchases? Maybe they have skeletons in their closet. You can see why if one points allegations without proof towards one thing, it can be done to everyone, in any business setting or towards any consumer purchase behavior. Oh, there’s a thought! This affects the economics of consumer behavior! Which ultimately will alienate small businesses and not big corporations. At the end of the day, it always comes down to extreme irrational behavior of one group of people, that affects the law-abiding citizen.

If Visa, Mastercard, and American Express want to list credit card purchasing codes for consumer purchases and create a consumer data base; maybe conspiracy theorist or critical thinkers (as I prefer to say), their argument of a cashless society by using all digital currency, will be the downfall of American civil liberties, because they can track and limit your ability of free will. The Financial institutions will be the master, and anyone that uses an all based digital currency will be a slave, and at the will of their master. A collective group of individuals and think tank organizations, have realized they cannot go to your throat and ban the constitution; but they have the ability to create barriers, control your finances, and eventually get full control and obedience of the general population.

This is a step in that direction. If you don’t like what you just read, be proactive, call your senators, and support gun advocacy groups that are proactive. My personal favorite, Gun Owners of America.

Click Here – To read congressional the Letter to Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.

Click Here – To read about Gun Owners of America, and ways you can be proactive in protecting your rights.

Safeway Inc. Employees Not Allowed Concealed Carry.

In the wake of a terrible event last night in Bend Oregon, a 20-year-old shooter went into a Safeway grocery store and killed 2 innocent bystanders and injured 1 Safeway employee. The employee attempted to disarm the shooter, before being shot. His heroic act has saved others from being shot in killed in the Bend Safeway supermarket, that which allowed time for law enforcement to arrive on scene. Our condolences go out to those families who lost their loved ones.

This shooting brings out yet another conversation of our state leaders who make claims in attempts of wanting to fix and find a solution to end gun violence. Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley called out political parties, ethnic races, and responsible gun owners to “put an end to this madness”.

Jeff Merkley Twitter Statement 08/28/2022 in regard to the Bend Oregon shooting.

Early this morning Oregon Senator Ron Wyden took to Twitter by stating “I’m willing to work with anybody who’s sick and tired of mass shootings to find solutions that put an end to this gun violence madness once and for all“. Well, if that’s the case, hey Ron Wyden, I’m willing to work with you, but you’re not willing to work with me!

Well kudos to the Oregon Senators for wanting to find a solution to end gun violence! However, they’re calling on the wrong persons to find a solution to this specific issue. Political parties can take some of the blame but are not the solution. It’s flat out discriminate to call on specific ethnic races to be part of the solution, when everyone should be part of the solution! Responsible gun owners are not the problem but may be a part of creating the solution. Now that we’ve addressed these fallacies.

Albertsons – Safeway policy for customers.

What our senators are failing to mention is Safeway’s company store policy! Not to mention the lack of accountability and discipline of prosecution for crimes that occur in our great blue State of Oregon (which is a big part of the issue we find among many left leaning states, and nevertheless part of the issue to solving gun violence). We must hold society accountable for their actions to promote healthy societal morals.

Safeway Inc. store policy in regard to firearms is for complete disarmament of customers and employees, except for law enforcement (due to legal reasons, we cannot post the direct link for Albertsons Co./Safeway Inc. company policy on guns – just google search it). Also, the Albertsons Company (Parent company of Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, and Pavilions) has a strict employee gun policy, that doesn’t allow any of its employees (cashier, dock workers, truck drivers ect…) to have a firearm on the companies work premise and in & on company property, even with a concealed carry license. Anyone who is found to be in possession of a legal firearm on company property will be terminated!

We have question for Safeway! Will the Albertsons Company provide security personal to their employees, or will they continue to neglect employee and customer safety?! Who is protecting the customer? Who is protecting the employee? Safety is the topic of concern here, Period.

If our Senators want to find a solution to the gun violence, they should turn to the companies they lobby for, and to the politicians they endorse to promote the Second Amendment. To encourage company employees to get their concealed carry licenses and have the right to carry on work premises without the discrimination of termination of employment. This is part of the solution to ending gun violence! If that Safeway employee in Bend Oregon could have legally concealed carry, there may have been 1 less death or injured in last night’s fatal criminal acts of violence. We can’t stop criminal behavior, but we can protect ourselves and environment from being a victim of those crimes. Don’t be a statistic, be proactive in defending your rights!

CLICK HERE – To read full article provided by KPTV Fox 12.

CLICK HERE – To read Safeway Customer Store policy.

CLICK HERE – To find Gun Business Directory including Gun Free Zones

Florida Gov. DeSantis Creates Job Opportunity for Veterans and Combats School Violence.

Ron Desantis 46th Governor of Florida

Today in New Port Richey Florida, Florida’s highly favored Governor became the first in the Nation, to announce initiatives to: create jobs for Veterans, and fill voids for Florida’s education system. How does this combat school violence?

This great question is answered, through the unique approach Gov. Ron DeSantis is following, by utilizing retired first responders and veterans! Florida will offer an apprenticeship to fast track by merging these two groups of workforces into the direly needed education positions throughout Florida. Florida is offering one-time bonuses and waiving examination fees to increase Floridian educators!

So, by having experienced First Responders and Veterans, who know the signs of: danger, understand mental health issues, and structure (that America is lacking); can tell the signs and prevent school shootings. In Uvalde, Texas the school shooter had more than one hour to damage and destroy lives. The method of having First Responders and Veterans on site, would be a deterrent for criminal activity to occur. Secondly, by trade they have the experience to handle high stress situations and can provide defense for students, and act as an aggressive force to shut down life threatening situations – while time is of the essence!

Lastly, these programs help our Veterans who (in my opinion) have been neglected by our government, society, and VA hospital after their time of duty. These job opportunities create a pathway for First Responders and Veterans to have better access for blanket health care, positive working habits that directly influence and affect our community; and create a safer classroom environment for our children and the next generation! We all should applaud Florida’s efforts towards deterring criminal school shooting behavior, that gets spun around into “needing” gun control and gun bans. Florida is being proactive as part of the solution!

Click Here – To Read Gov. Ron DeSantis Florida School Initiatives

Strictest Gun Control Initiative in Oregon & USA

Sign from Lift Every Voice Oregon rally 2022.

Ballot Measure 114 formerly (Initiative Petition 17 or IP17) also titled “Reduction of Gun Violence Act” will hit the ballots for Oregonians this November, and it will be one for the records in Oregon! Oregonians will be facing numerous election options for: a New Governor and the Nations only state for the strictest gun control measure (I.P. 17) to be voted on this fall of 2022. Well let’s dissect what we are about to talk about!

What is an “initiative or initiative process” in Oregon? “The initiative process gives direct legislative power to the voters to enact new laws, change existing laws, or amend the Oregon Constitution. Any person may be a chief petitioner of an initiative petition”. So, for an initiative to go onto a ballot to be voted on, the threshold of validated persons must meet above 100k signatures in 30 days.

Last month an anti-gun left leaning group, by the name of “Lift Every Voice Oregon” recruited paid workers and volunteers to get I.P. 17 on this fall’s election ballot. The election division office for the Secretary of State of Oregon had affirmed that Lift Every Voice Oregon group, have obtained enough signatures which were validated. Meaning the fate of all of Oregon Pro 2A constitutionalist who believe in the United States Constitution and more so Second Amendment, will be at the hands of Multnomah, Washington, and Marion County voters.

(Picture tiles of Anti-2A Oregon Representatives that support I.P. 17.)

What’s included on I.P. 17? Here’s what we really want to know, and what it would ban and/or require! The petition currently requests a ban on: Magazines that carry more than 10 rounds. The petition calls for “regulation of sale, purchase and otherwise transferring of all firearms and restriction of the manufacture, import, sale, purchase, transfer, use and possession of ammunition magazines to those that hold no more than 10 rounds will promote the public health and safety of the residents of this state and this Act shall be known as the Reduction of Gun Violence Act”.

Snippet from Secretary of State Reduction of Gun Violence Act I.P. 17.

The stinger here is what the petition wants as requirements! I.P. 17 would require gun owners to: 1) get a permit to purchase any firearm – which cost not more than $65.00, 2) complete a gun safety course, 3) pay a fee to purchase any firearm, 4) provide personal information, 5) submit fingerprints, 6) pictures of the gun owner that purchase or transfer a firearm, 7) pass a criminal background check, 8) serialize gun parts & ammunition magazines, 9) have a lock box in your vehicle to transport your magazine and/or firearm, and lastly 10) Oregon State Police to create a firearm database with purchasers.

Well let’s think about this for a moment and reflect what we all just read! I know sounds silly right? Well, this is a moment that common sense just went right out the front door! Have any of these 120k+ validated signatures of persons ever purchase a firearm? Probably not! Well in the State of Oregon you must provide personal information, pay $10 fee for a firearm background check, submit fingerprints, have a valid and unexpired Oregon state ID, and successfully pass a state and federal background check with every gun purchase! Firearm dealers in the state of Oregon must provide Oregon State Police daily with their transaction logs of who and what was purchased along with photographs of the firearms; and must verify all the above. FFL dealers have very stringent laws to follow, and they do that while crossing their t’s and dotting their i’s.

That covers 6 of the 10 requests for I.P. 17. Now that we’ve addressed a majority of the petition, the remaining 4 requests and magazine ban presents the idea of a power grab and a way to create more tax revenue for the state and a means to further burden law abiding gun owners. Please understand, were all about following laws, safety, and being a resource of information.

However, a fee to purchase a firearm, a fee for a permit, and permit to purchase a firearm encroaches on the second amendment “the right of people to keep and bear arms”. It creates a barrier of entry for those who wish to practice their God given right to bear arms! We also wonder, would a glove box in your vehicle count as a lock box to transport your magazine or gun (one can’t help but laugh)!

This barrier mentioned above is more so present for a prospective buyer, that goes through all the legal steps to purchase a gun from a dealer, whose name is free and clear of felonies and convictions. This measure is a solid form of preventing gun ownership, which is a gun ban and not gun control. All of these “requirements” which are done through creating additional obstructions in the name of “gun control” get passed down to law abiding State of Oregon gun owners, and not criminals who will act in an illegal manner regardless of laws put in place. Lowering the magazine capacity will still not affect criminal activity, it will put law abiding citizens at a severe disadvantage for a given situation where deadly force would be justified use.

The writers of I.P. 17 gives insight to their true intentions, by listing methods already in use for: buying, selling, and transferring a firearm. They write I.P. 17 in a great way to create a blanket or cover for what’s really on the agenda, banning guns. This is done to get the masses of population who have never purchased a firearm or care to take the time to learn gun laws, through fabricating a disinformation campaign, to get those into believing that these methods of firearm background checks are currently not in use, when in reality they already are and have been for decades!

We advocate for proper gun storage, laws, gun safety courses, and for individuals to go get a concealed handgun license frequently. It’s a great way to practice safety, learn your rights, and understand firearm functionality!

History teaches us that lessons from the past 20+ years: all of these initiatives and acts have created a stigma for public and private firearm safety class availability. That which of the past, would be offered as an alternate after-school activity along with other firearm related activities; but no longer are available due to lack of resource funding; and educators who do not wish to be criticized and blacklisted for being part of gun safety advocacy, as the gun control solution. One would call it going against the tide so-to-say. So, to be blunt and translate for those who can’t read in-between the lines; these acts, petitions, and gun ban/control formed laws, create an educational barrier for the availability for understanding firearm safety to the general public. Which puts us in the predicaments that we are currently facing today. ALL OF AMERICA CAN RELATE TO THIS!

Portland Police Bureau Interactive Reported Shooting Incidents 2019-June 2022.

Oregonians are known for passing the buck, and not accepting responsibility for their actions (not all of them but quite a few). Maybe it’s the 9 months of rain that’s caused this behavior. Regardless of the external environment, we are responsible for ourselves, the internal environment and culture we promote, for creating logical reasoning, and how we vote! A vote for in favor of I.P. 17 is not accepting responsibility for the current issues, we as the Nation are facing today! Treating a symptom in hopes of curing the root cause, will never get the results we desire. Holding those accountable for their actions, and reasonable disciplinary measures are needed to recreate a safe general public environment. We’ve moved away from holding those accountable, which is one of many parts of the root cause, that we currently deal with and visually see on a daily basis.

Modern examples of treating symptoms in hopes of curing the root cause are: Defund the police, now in an emergency, 911 dispatch wait times are anywhere between 20 minutes to 1 hour, up to 3 hour wait times for non-emergency. GUN VIOLENCE has surged 155% since 2020. Decriminalization of hard drugs in hopes of getting addicts recovery help for sobriety, less than 1% sought help, and our streets in Portland are littered with needles everywhere. Heroin alone in Oregon is killing our loved ones at a higher rate than gun violence. If one includes: Meth, crack, cocaine, and fentanyl, hard drugs are killing our loved ones 44% higher than gun violence in Oregon.

Oregon Health Authority 2019- May 2022 Opioid death comparison.

Firearm bans and gun control will not work, to curb violence. As a nation we need to educate our citizens with facts and firearm comfortability, create awareness so these disinformation campaigns are easily identified and come to a halt (which is done through firearm educational safety and knowing your state laws and processes), and finally standing ground for your rights. If you don’t stand up for your civil liberties, they will be slowly taken away from us with the grounds of “promise to return how it was”, but we all know that will never happen. Like a 1-time tax, it will always be renewed and burden the law-abiding citizen.