Wasco County Commissioners..
As a Wasco County resident, I would ask you to take the time to consider the current bills being proposed to the Oregon House and Senate, eg SB 978, et all. These bills are being proposed as if they are a means to improve the safety of Oregonians from gun violence. They are, however, an encroachment on our Oregon Constitution - Article 1, Subsection 27. and they are against the U.S. Constitution's 2nd Amendment. If passed many Wasco County residents will, with a stroke of a pen, become Felons.
On a local level, you have some power to mitigate this injustice. Since the 1990's Oregon's judicial branch has ruled that local laws regarding gun policy cannot supersede State laws. However, they have also upheld many local ordinances that have circumvented the laws and Legislature. In Oregon there is a movement amongst Counties and Cities to become "Sanctuary Counties and Cities", as an example of demonstrating what is in the best interests of the Oregonians within their communities. We are neither Portland or Salem, and the policies of Portland and Salem are not the best for our Communities.
What you can do is choose to write an Ordinance that prohibits the use of public monies in the enforcement of laws that restrict the individual right to keep and bear arms regardless of the proposed new restrictions. It would be an ordinance that would uphold the Oath of office put upon our Law Enforcement communities and Elected Officials.
This requires your urgent action as certain lawmakers are swiftly taking Action in Salem.
Thank you for your consideration.
