OR: Expanded CCW Reciprocity in Trouble

Oregon is one of the states that has stubbornly refused to grant reciprocity to concealed carry permits from other states, even though many of those states recognize the Oregon permit when Oregon residents visit them.  The map above, from usacarry.com, show that Oregon does not recognize  a single other state.

The map below shows that 20 states allow Oregon residents to carry in their state, with an Oregon permit.  Vermont does not require a permit.  The blue states recognize the Oregon permit.  Michigan only recognizes Oregon permits for Oregon residents.

Now that Michael Bloomberg’s organizations have purchased a repressive gun control bill, misleadingly labeled as “Universal Background Checks”, Oregon legislators are scrambling for some cover from angry constituents.  From oregonlive.com:

The strong support for the concealed handgun license bill may also reflect the desire of many legislators to offset their support for the controversial bill on background checks by voting for something sought by guns-rights activists.

“It wouldn’t surprise me” if that happened, says Rep. Bill Post, R-Keizer, chief sponsor of the concealed handgun bill. “There were some people who had to take a ‘yes’ vote on [background checks] and it’s not going to be good for them in their districts.”

Post’s measure, House Bill 3093, opens the door to allowing concealed handgun licensees from many states to also carry in Oregon. Currently, at least 18 states honor Oregon licenses, potentially allowing their licensees to carry here if HB 3093 becomes law.

I have not been able to find any rational reason why Oregon would refuse to recognize other states permits.  Permit holders are far more law abiding than the average citizen, more law abiding than the average police officer, and effectively provide for greater public security at no cost to the state. 

The bill passed the House, 57-1.  Only one representative verbally objected to the measure.    While the Oregonlive.com article says that it was voted out of the Senate committee, that is not shown on the legislative website.  It appears to have failed to be passed out of committee in the Senate,  11-17.

While not dead yet, chances for passage do not look good.  The constituents are unlikely to see a vote for a failed bill as a way to make up for the passage of the bill funded by Bloomberg money.   They have seen too many play this game, where they claim that a vote doomed to fail, was a sincere effort to pass legislation. 

 ©2015 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included. Link to Gun Watch