Before Measure 114 was even officially passed, multiple sheriffs in Oregon vowed they will not enforce the new measure regarding gun magazine capacities, which will ban the sale of magazines holding more than 10 rounds. Gun rights advocates are quickly ready to fight back and block the measure, arguing it violates their Second Amendment right to bear arms.
The measure passed by a narrow margin this week, and many Oregonians from all walks of life feel the law is not only highly unconstitutional but also poorly written. The measure passed 51% to 49% while many believe the new law will curb gun violence.
On the other side of the argument, an individual who identifies as trans in a conversation taking place on Reddit is highly disappointed for the fact they not only enjoy firearms as a hobby but feels the police don't do enough to keep the trans community safe and feels safer having a firearm for protection. "And now I'm afraid this is the start of a road wherein the people who want to hurt people like me and the people that I love are allowed to keep the arms they have but we will be kept disarmed. In the name of public safety," reads the post from u/HeloRising.
The measure has left many unanswered questions at the least. As The Oregonian reports, uncertainty lies ahead with months of legal wrangling and rule-making likely to delay the start well into next year, if ever.
"I want to send a clear message to Linn County residents that the Linn County Sheriff's Office is NOT going to be enforcing magazine capacity limits," Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan said in a Facebook post.
"This measure is poorly written and there is still a lot that needs to be sorted out regarding the permitting process, who has to do the training and what exactly does the training have to cover."
At the time of writing this, we can add Jackson County to the list of sheriffs defying the measure.
"We will not spend time and resources investigating who has obtained magazines that have a capacity over 10 rounds after this measure takes effect," Jackson County Sheriff Nate Sickler said on Facebook.
According to Washington Examiner, Malheur County Sheriff Brian Wolfe has no plans to enforce the magazine limit, and, when he was asked if he had the power to ignore the measure, he said, "I don't think this is superseding anything. I don't believe that I am superseding state law by not enforcing it. Anybody in law enforcement, including the state police, including the governor, has to pick and choose what laws they are going to be able to enforce."
Similar to the major U.S. Supreme Court ruling in late June which killed the New York gun safety law, Measure 114 could potentially be overturned as the measure also faces constitutional scrutiny.
