Oregon’s new gun background check law took effect yesterday [Sunday]. The legislation requires all gun sales, including private exchanges, to be vetted through a federally licensed dealer.
With the new law, Oregon becomes the 12th state to require universal background checks. Legislators hope criminal and mental health checks for private and online sales will reduce gun violence in the state. Amy Ruiz is with the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund:
Ruiz: “So instead of meeting in a nearby parking lot, which we know a lot of gun sales were taking place, you know, let’s meet here, let’s meet there, they’ll go and meet at a gun dealer in their community, ask that gun dealer to run that background check. And once the person passes the background check, the sale can be completed.”
Ruiz says most dealers in Washington and Colorado offer the service because it gets more customers in the door. Some Oregon retailers however, including Fred Meyer, say they will not participate. A public service ad campaign explaining the new law begins this week.
