Editor's note: this is the fourth and last in a multi-part series which is a reprint of a letter from a desperate gun owner and her thoughts on the current proposals in the legislature.

Public buildings belong to all Oregonians, the fact that we have to get permits to exercise our first and second amendment rights are already against our constitutional and God given rights. Reducing citizens rights due to fear mongering is irresponsible. Politicians and "activists" talk about how they want to "feel safe" and state that "Everyone deserves to feel safe" but what it really sounds like, is that you are the only ones allowed that sense of safety.

Individuals are only afforded the right to feel safe if you fall in line with a particular ideology. It does not appear that they care about the rights of Law abiding Oregonians who want to actually be safe by exercising their second amendment right. What does this mean for those of us who do not feel safe because our police are being told to stand down against criminals while our cities and neighborhoods are under siege? What does this mean for those of use who are attacked on the streets by "Antifa" and BLM thugs? What does this mean for the woman told she must go put her firearm away in her car where it is a risk of being stolen if she wants to walk into her Childs school or State Capitol? What does this mean for those of us who are having criminals released back into our communities while the local government is calling to defund our police? What about our right to defend ourselves in any place at any time? What about our right to "feel safe"?

Politicians, like SB 554 Chief Sponsor Representative Rachel Prusak (D-West Linn) have all of the protection they need using tax payer funds to buy security, houses behind gates or large fences and in some situations even body armor. Politicians have the protection they need but don't seem to feel that citizens deserve those same rights. It is our choice to protect ourselves and our families how we see fit at any place and at any time. Politicians and special interest groups are advocating to create a patchwork of laws that vary from place to place, and that give local government the right over a citizens free will, would it not be better to just allow part of Oregon to join Idaho? If so I encourage Oregonians to take a look at the Greater Idaho Movement at greateridaho.org either that or Oregonians join the State of Jefferson movement. Portland politics are impacting all of Oregon and if you actually listened to the true voice of the people that you are in office to represent you would not allow these bills to move forward.

Politicians take away our police, legalize drugs, decriminalize actions that are a detriment to society, allow endless riots and attacks in our streets and neighborhoods, catch and release violent criminals, advocate for felons to vote, spew divisive rhetoric and slander against any opposition and now want to restrict our right to defend ourselves with firearms. All through 2020 individuals could shop at places like Costco and Home Depot, go to work in crowded facilities such as Amazon, riot in Portland streets while screaming it the face of first responders and citizens but somehow we were not allowed to testify at hearings, sing in church or have holidays with our loved ones. I hope you can all see past the hypocrisy and into the reality of what's going on in our country.

I ask again, where does this end? This patchwork law will impact Oregonians where they live, work, recreate, do business, seek healthcare, go to school and volunteer. This Bill and others like it open the door for even more restrictive legislation until our second amendment rights have been eroded away until you simply cannot carry your firearm anywhere in the state of Oregon. Your firearm cannot protect you from your vehicle, this tool can only be utilized when it is on your person, that is the entire purpose of carrying a firearm. To have protection on your person at all times, in all situations. You need to separate gun violence from responsible gun ownership, those who are apt to commit gun violence will not be those who are going to follow these radical laws if enacted.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

It is worth repeating that the false narrative that the only individuals that care about their second amendment rights are somehow just a bunch of right wing, conservative, racist, neo-fascist, red neck white males is absolutely absurd and embarrassing to those who push such ridiculousness. These agencies do not have the right to take away our first amendment rights in "special zones" and they should not have the ability to do so to our second amendment rights. Why is this Bill really being considered and why is there an emergency clause? This is more than just creating a "Safe Zone" -- we cannot "Safe Zone" ourselves out of reality and into further ignorance of what actually constitutes dangerous behavior. The real danger is in the passing of ill thought bills like SB 554.

I urge you to keep Oregon beautiful and free for all Oregonians as I am ready to leave my beautiful home state of Oregon, as are many others. I sincerely hope that each one of you understand how bad it has to become for anyone to want to leave their home state, especially one as magnificent as Oregon.

In closing I would like to tell you a little about myself and why this is important to me. I was born at OHSU and raised in the Portland metro area. My grandfather, affectionately called “Bud” lived in Woodburn prior to World War II before he left to serve our country in the Philippines as a private in the Army Air Corps. My grandfather served our country, my country, your country and he suffered for it. My grandfather survived the Bataan death March, the Clyde Maru Hell Ship and multiple prison camps including, Fukuoka POW Camp #1 -- Kashii (Pine Tree Camp) Kyushu Island 33-130.

My grandfather suffered greatly from 1942 to 1945 until he was liberated from the POW camp. Once home his battle continued, he lost one of his legs in 1963 due to a service connected illness and most of the use of his hands due to atypical bacteria TB, Kansas bacillus. My grandfather, "Bud" is said to be in medical journals due to being one of the first men at the time to contract Systemic Lupus Erythmetosis. We lost him in 1993 due to respiratory failure, likely related to his time of service protecting our freedoms. He loved Oregon and only moved once for warmer weather prior to coming home. He passed away at the Portland VA Medical center at the age of 76.

I’m at a loss and I am ready to leave my beautiful home state of Oregon, the same state my Grandfather left when he went to serve our country in the SW Pacific Theater. My Grandfather left the safety of the PNW for the Philippines to defend our country and our freedoms and yet I feel I must leave because my Freedoms are being taken away. I no longer feel safe in Oregon because the flag my Grandfather fought for and under is being burned in our streets while violent mobs attack citizens, businesses and entire communities.

I no longer feel safe because local politicians continue to insight division, as they call to defund the police and allow criminals to run free destroying our cities. I no longer feel safe because free speech is clearly under attack, and local leaders are practically mandating conformity through mob rule. Local Politicians are either ignorant to what is going on in our state or they don’t care, perhaps it’s a little of both.

While politicians have been hiding behind high fences, body guards and the national guard- spending tax payer dollars on body armor and an unconstitutional “impeachment” attempt, Oregonians and Americans all over the country have been paying the price. The local government has done nothing to protect Oregonians in any truth but is still collecting tax payer dollars and now wants to take away the rights of Oregonians to defend themselves through unconstitutional gun legislation behind closed doors.

I want to remind you that Oregonians trusted each one of YOU to be voice of the people, you are not in office to merely fulfill biased political agendas or placate mass hysteria and violent mobs. You are not in office to find creative ways to manipulate and fear monger the people into giving up their God given and hard earned constitutional rights. You are not protecting law abiding citizens by passing any legislation that further restricts Americans second amendment. You can not claim safety or nobility in cause while allowing and advocating for mob violence and the defunding and disrespecting of our police departments and service members.

I’ve been to the Community Peace Collaborative meetings in Portland, I’ve worked on grant funded projects by DOJ and PPB, I’ve hosted and attended Coffee with a Cop talks and worked with former gang members and men’s groups to help bridge the Gap between community and police. I’ve been active in my community and I know who is committing the crimes in our streets and so do you, it’s not law abiding gun owners. Hiding behind hypocrisy and safe speak does not remove or negate the facts we chose to pretend don’t exist. Who do you personally call when someone is making you feel unsafe? What happens when it’s just the criminals left, well armed and emboldened by harmful bias legislation?

Our beautiful state is represented by seemingly disconnected politicians in NW Oregon who do not appear to represent the majority. Instead they seem to bow to domestic terrorists and violent mobs while ignoring hard working, tax paying citizens.

Our calls for justice are ignored and unfortunately we have no reason to believe that will change due to the current state of things. It really seems like a lot of legislation is being pushed through while citizens are focused on Covid-19 and distracted by violence in our streets and a strange impeachment attempt of a former president.

I left the Portland Metro area for Southern Oregon 8 months ago but I can’t seem to escape the Portland political agendas that are destroying our state. My Grandfather left this state to defend our Freedoms, How much farther do I have to go to get mine back?

We are Americans first and Oregonians second. Political biases and agendas have no place in decision making when it comes to our basic constitutional rights. We are only here today because we valued the right of our citizens to protect themselves in all places, at all times and without restriction from politicians. This is not your choice it is ours.

Please do not allow HB 2543, SB 585, SB 554 and SB 571 to go any further than the bad ideas they are.

Oregon has become a nationwide mockery alongside, New York, California and Washington state. Citizens are afraid of sharing testimony out of fear of being “doxed”, slandered or attacked and are leaving their home states in droves, but I have to take the risk and reach out. Please hear me.

Thank you to those of you continuing to stand up for our freedoms in the face of unprecedented political bullying, slander and cancel culture.

Respectfully and bravely,


--A Fed Up Oregonian

Post Date: 2021-03-01 09:14:22

Last Update: 2021-03-01 09:51:57