Democratic controlled Oregon Senate bans "emergency" gun seizures

I've been alerted to the following good news by the Oregon Firearms Federation (OFF): the Democratic-controlled Oregon State Senate has passed HB 2370, which:

Creates Office of Emergency Management in Oregon Military Department. Abolishes Office of Emergency Management in Department of State Police and transfers functions to office in Oregon Military Department.
Prohibits unit of government from seizing firearms from individuals in lawful possession of firearms during declared emergency.

As you may recall, illegal gun seizures from law-abiding citizens' homes in the aftermath of Katrina caused quite a national uproar. This was done by the same police force that had so many officers walk off the job that they had no control over the city for days or even weeks after the hurricane. It's good to see the Oregon legislature taking pre-emptive steps to ensure that people's ability to protect themselves will not be arbitrarily trampled by local governments in the event of a wide scale catastrophe. Hopefully the House will concur today and Governor Kulongoski will be able to sign it this session

Please call your reps!

Senator Obama's Position on Gun Ownership Rights

Given the recent activity in Congress, it seemed an good time to ask Senator Barack Obama, the leading "unknown" Democratic presidential candidate, his position on 2nd Amendment rights. So I sent him an email on the subject yesterday. Posted here is his reply.

I recommend you write him on this issue.

Obama's response on the 2nd Amdendment:

"Dear Friend,

Thank you for contacting me about gun laws and the Second Amendment. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue. Americans broadly agree that guns must be kept from those who may pose a threat, and that the rights of legitimate hunters and sportsmen should be protected.

We must work to ensure that guns do not fall into the hands of criminals or the mentally ill through an effective background check system. We also have to strike a reasonable balance between public safety and sportsmen's rights.

I will continue to work for effective gun laws, including reinstatement of the assault weapons ban that the last Congress allowed to expire, and effective law enforcement. I will also speak out against the culture of violence that traps so many of our young people.

Thank you again for contacting me on this important issue.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama"

[end of letter]

Well. If you think the 2nd Amendment is about the right to bear sporting goods, I guess you just found your candidate.
-Z.