In a statement that some regard as "too soon" and smacking of political opportunism following the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, resulting in the murder of 19 children and two adults, Representatives Dacia Grayber (D-Tigard), Rachel Prusak (D-West Linn), Andrea Salinas (D-Lake Oswego), Barbara Smith Warner (D-Portland), Ricki Ruiz (D-Gresham) and Lisa Reynolds (D-Portland) released a statement in favor of increased firearm restrictions.

“There is no making sense of such a senseless and preventable act -- there is only anguish. The trauma the victims' families and community in Uvalde now face is only too familiar, just 10 days after the racially motivated mass murder in Buffalo, NY. This is the second deadliest school shooting since Sandy Hook, and as a predominantly Latino community, yesterday’s massacre is particularly frightening for the many Latino parents who see schools as a place of hope and a safe place to learn for their children.

“We ran for office to solve big problems and make life better for our constituents -- and that includes taking on the gun lobby and politicians that place profits and political power over children’s lives.”

Oregon Firearms Federation Director Kevin Starrett responded “The shrill and opportunistic bleatings of leftists in response to the Texas murders is truly appalling. Once again the liberals who vilified the police, and whose reprehensible behavior got police removed from schools in Oregon cities, are wallowing in the blood of the lost innocent.

Starrett continued, “The hypocrites who work in our legislature, who are now calling for more restrictions on the law abiding, have locked down their own work place, surrounded themselves with armed guards and installed metal detectors to protect themselves and the lobbyists who fund them. But our schools remain unprotected, soft targets for people whose mental illness Oregon political hacks refuse to address."

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

The House Democrats' statement added, “In Oregon, we’ve passed legislation that requires background checks, prohibits guns on public school grounds, makes extreme risk protection orders available, and ensures the secure storage of firearms. We are committed to taking bold action during the next legislative session in 2023 to further prevent these types of tragedies from happening.

“The epidemic of gun violence we face is unique to this country. As of 2020, firearms became the leading cause of death for American children and teenagers, and as of today, more than 300,000 children have experienced gun violence at school since the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado. This public health crisis is the result of years of irresponsible inaction and recklessly lax gun laws that allowed yesterday’s shooter to legally purchase two AR-style rifles just days before the attack, it’s why children across the country practice active shooter drills when they should be focused on learning, and it’s why communities across our nation are terrorized by gun violence.

“For this reason, we desperately need and urge Congress to waive the filibuster and take action before another child is killed. There are sensible gun laws, supported by a majority of Americans, that Congress can pass quickly, including reinstating a ban on assault-style weapons or limiting high-capacity magazines. The Senate can immediately pass H.R. 8 to address background check requirements.

"Now more than ever, we need action, not prayers and platitudes,” the statement concluded.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-05-26 06:05:26

Last Update: 2022-05-25 19:43:05