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Merits of gun initiative debated at City Club of Eugene

The City Club of Eugene meets Fridays at the First United Methodist Church in Eugene and airs Monday nights at 7 on KLCC.
Rachael McDonald
/
KLCC
The City Club of Eugene meets most Fridays at the First United Methodist Church in Eugene and airs Monday nights at 7 on KLCC.

An initiative on the November ballot that would make sweeping changes to Oregon gun laws was the subject of a debate at the City Club of Eugene Friday.

Measure 114 would, among other things, require potential gun owners to apply for a permit that would allow them to purchase a weapon. The application process would require them to demonstrate their ability to fire a weapon.

“If we cannot do common sense laws that keep the 2nd amendment in place for those who hunt or need a gun for protection or whatever reason, we are not acting responsibly,” said chief petitioner Mark Knutson.

But Paul Donheffner of the Oregon Hunters Association said the measure would create a cumbersome permit process that could prevent people with no criminal record from obtaining a weapon.

“There are always unintended consequences or problems that result from proposed laws that are not properly vetted or reviewed by the legislature in a public process," he said.

Measure 114 would also ban so-called large capacity ammunition magazines in Oregon.

The City Club of Eugene is broadcast on Mondays at 7 p.m. on KLCC FM.

Chris Lehman has been reporting on Oregon issues since 2006. He joined the KLCC news department in December 2018 and became News Director in March 2023. Chris was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and graduated from Temple University with a degree in journalism. His public broadcasting career includes stops in Louisiana and Illinois. Chris has filed for national programs including “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered.”