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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (July 20, 2016)
Wednesday, July 20, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Oregon governor pushes for stronger gun laws By kristena hansen Associated Press PORTLAND (AP) — In the wake of recent mass shootings, Gov. Kate Brown says it’s time for Congress and the Oregon Statehouse to end the partisan gridlocks on gun reform and strengthen state and federal laws on assault weapons, back- ground checks and illegal firearm purchases, among others. Brown’s calls on policy- makers are part of a series of new gun-related efforts in Oregon she revealed Friday in Portland, alongside Democrats Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici plus several local gun-con- trol advocates and religious leaders. The Democratic gover- nor said state lawmakers “must” pass new laws dur- ing next year’s session that would close loopholes and place prohibitions on certain firearms. She wants to make sure people who shouldn’t own a gun aren’t able to buy one because authorities weren’t able to complete a back- ground check within the state’s required three-day waiting period — a gap Brown has already vowed to readdress in 2017 after that proposal failed at the Legislature earlier this year. She proposes closing another loophole by broadening the scope of illegal posses- sion for those involved in cases of stalking or domestic violence. Brown also pressed for a statewide ban on future pur- chases of extended-capacity magazines, referencing the nation’s deadliest-ever mass shooting last month at a gay Orlando nightclub that killed 49 people and wounded more than 50 others. “Those magazines allowed him to fire his weapon repeatedly without stopping to reload, without pause that might have given his victims or law enforce- ment a chance to stop him,” Brown said. Additionally, Brown ral- lied Congress to outlaw assault rifles nationwide and Bonamici made similar calls on her congressional col- leagues, such as streamlined federal mandates on back- ground checks. Bonamici said she was disappointed that Congress recessed this week without addressing gun reform yet again, and their “thoughts and prayers of silences are not enough.” Other actions by Brown, who’s running to keep her gubernatorial seat in November, include execu- tive orders on Oregon State Police to keep a five-year record of state firearm trans- actions, which state law already authorizes. State police would also be ordered to proactively notify local authorities when a prohib- ited person attempts to buy a gun. Kevin Starrett, execu- tive director of the Oregon Firearms Federation gun- rights group, responded with some terse words for Brown’s characterization of the Orlando shooting. “That guy was in the building for three hours — does she think he never reloaded in three hours?” Starrett told The Associated Press. “It’s just incredibly ignorant, stupid garbage that comes out of these people’s mouths. The reason those people died was because they weren’t prepared to pro- tect themselves.” Starrett also criticized Brown’s orders on state police. He noted the agency already dispatches troop- ers to the scene when a prohibited person tries buy- ing a gun, a policy change that former Gov. John Kitzhaber called for two years ago in the absence of such requirement by state law. “This is her great break- through? That the cops are actually going to talk to each other?” Starrett said. “This is embarrassing. It really is.” Republican lawmakers in the Oregon House, on the other hand, said they’re cautiously open to having dialogues on gun violence, so long as the rights of responsible Oregonian gun owners are taken into full account. “Sadly, this element of the conversation is all too often an afterthought for politicians in Salem,” Rep. Mike McLane, the cham- ber’s minority leader, said in a statement. “We can and, indeed should, do more to address violence in our com- munities, but I firmly believe that these solutions should be borne out of bipartisan consensus and honest efforts to find common ground that works.” 21 Metke to be celebrated at Elk lake event Sisters naturalist Jim Anderson and his wife, lepi- dopterist Sue Anderson, will be among the presenters at an event celebrating Luther Metke starting at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 24, at Elk Lake Resort. Luther Metke Revisited will celebrate the legacy of Metke’s log cabins. Metke came to Oregon in 1907, and in 1917 he got into the logging business in Bend and began building log cabins. He admitted that at first they “weren’t much to look at.” But as he kept at it, he got better and better and eventually built land- marks that are still standing today. He was a key builder on Camp Sherman’s historic Community Hall. There will be several showings of a documentary film on Metke’s life and work. Attendees will rendezvous at 2:30 p.m. at the Elk Lake Lodge parking lot. Quilt Drawing for FURRY FRIEND S 501 ( c )( 3 ) FOUNDATION 100% of the proceeds go to Furry Friends Foundation. “Friends of Furry Friends” quilt was pieced by Valerie Fercho-Tillery. The bold colors and incredible detail make this a spectacular quilt. The quilt is currently on display at The Nugget offi ce, 442 E. Main Ave. Bring your pup by for a dog cookie and have a look! Tickets may be purchased at The Nugget offi ce or online at our website www.furryfriendsfoundation.org. Tickets are $1 each, six for $5 or go for it, 25 for $20. Info: 541-549-9941 “Friends of Furry Friends” - by Valerie Fercho-Tillery (46"w x 59"h)
