Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (April 18, 2018)
6 Wednesday, April 18, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Local sheriffs affirm gun rights By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief The top law-enforcement officers in the counties com- prising Sisters Country have issued statements affirming civilian gun rights and oppos- ing Oregon Initiative Petition 43. Deschutes County Sheriff Shane Nelson posted a statement last week on the sheriff ’s office Facebook page stating that “I sup- port and defend the Second Amendment and oppose IP 43.” Nelson affirmed the importance of citizens having the means to defend them- selves, noting that “Deputies of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office will always respond to assist and protect the citizens we serve, but you must be prepared to appro- priately take care of you and your family until we can get there.” Jefferson County Sheriff Jim Adkins issued a similar statement on Facebook ear- lier in the month. The petitioners for IP 43 are seeking signatures to place the initiative on the November 2018 ballot. The measure would require cur- rent gun-owners to do one of the following with identified semi-automatic firearms and/ or “high-capacity” maga- zines: register them with the state, sell them to a registered dealer, remove them from the State, render them inoper- able or surrender them to law enforcement. Failure to com- ply would constitute a Class B felony. The initiative also restricts where and how the firearms or magazines could be carried or used. IP 43 defines an “assault weapon” as semi-automatic rifles and pistols with a detachable magazine and one of several modifica- tions, semi-automatic shot- guns with grip and stock modifications and semi-auto- matic rifles under 30 inches in length. The petitioners have enough sponsorship signa- tures to draft a ballot title. “We know that sup- port for an assault-weapon ban has been growing since Sandy Hook,” said Penny Okamoto, executive director of Ceasefire Oregon. “The Legislature has had five years to act on this.” ...you must be prepared to appropriately take care of you and your family until we can get there. —Sheriff Shane Nelson Opinion on an “assault- rifle” ban is sharply divided in Sisters Country (see Letters to the Editor, starting on page 2). Proponents argue that firearms such as those addressed in the initiative do not belong in civilian hands. In his statement, Sheriff Nelson said, “Our office has issued over 14,000 concealed handgun licenses and I firmly believe that every responsible and accountable law-abiding citizen who wants to legally own a firearm should do so. Firearms have their lawful place in society and are an important tool in personal protection and ensuring pub- lic safety in our county.” He further stated, “I under- stand the concerns of school violence across the country and the role law enforcement plays. Oregon has a number of laws on the books regard- ing background checks and age restrictions related to the purchase of a firearm. These laws prohibit the sale er y gs t s l pho rea Ru & U et • ut • A ranite p r Ca Gro • G ng • ood ishi e l i T ardw e Pol H Til of firearms to convicted fel- ons, those convicted of mis- demeanor crimes involving violence, those adjudicated as mentally ill, those who have been committed as the result of a Mental Commitment Hearing, those with an active felony warrant, active out of state misdemeanor warrant and those on pretrial release for a felony. “Our office continues to take all threats seriously, and we appropriately vet them in partnership with our DA’s Office, mental health profes- sionals, other law enforce- ment agencies, our schools, and others in the public safety sector. We immedi- ately respond to, investigate threats of violence or danger, and hold people accountable. We are committed to keeping our children and community safe.” Jefferson County Sheriff Jim Adkins said, “These laws, and any law restrict- ing any type of arms, will only make us weaker, mak- ing ‘good people’ law break- ers and ‘bad people’ stronger. Bad people do not care what laws we have. Bad people will always possess and obtain that which they are not suppose(d) to possess! “Initiative Petition 43 would restrict the sale, pro- duction and ownership of assault weapons and high- capacity magazines. (I want my constituents, our citizens, to be well-armed and pre- pared.) I support and defend the constitution.” Plan Ahead! SPRING IS COMING! Make Your Reservations Soon For... Thatchers and Aerators NEED IT, RENT IT! Look for us on the Web at BendCarpetCare.com LOCAL FOR 24 YEARS! Licensed, Bonded & Insured 506 N. Pine St. Thank you for your business! 541-549-9631 541-549-1175 541-815-1208 www.sistersrental.com Sales • Service Rentals • Accessories Sisters golfers play at Bend Country Club By Rongi Yost Correspondent Both Outlaws golf teams played at the Bend Country Club on April 9, and the girls team was able to post a team score for the first time this sea- son. Weather conditions were the best to date — a beautiful sunny day with a slight breeze. The Lady Outlaws were one of five teams that partici- pated in the Bend Invitational, and finished with a score of 500 for a fourth-place finish. Bend was first (367), Summit second (392) and Ridgeview third (405). The Dalles took fifth place at 512. Emma Farley had the best round of her career. Emma shot a 48-47-95. She putted in her third shot off the green for a birdie on the fifth hole, and then parred her seventh, eighth, and ninth holes for a great front-nine finish. AriAnne Griffy shot a 66-63 to finish at 129. Rose Williams was consistent with a 66 on both the front and back (132). Emilie Turpen rounded out the scores with a 77-67-144. The boys team struggled throughout the round. Coach Bill Mitchell told The Nugget that he reminded his players there are no shortcuts to the game of golf, and they will have to work harder if they want to improve. Peyton Myhre led the Outlaws with a 108, followed by Kincaid Smeltzer, who c a r d e d a 111 . Wy a t t Hernandez scored 121, Connor Crowe shot a 129, and Patrick Dingeman rounded out the scores at 133. Nine teams were in atten- dance. Summit finished on top with a team score of 317. Bend was runner-up at 327 and The Dalles finished third at 351. Four days later, the boys attended the Summit Invitational held at Broken Top. It was windy and cold; a pretty miserable day for golf. Summit played great on their home course, and their five players took the top five spots to post 301 as a team for a first-place finish. Ridgeview was runner-up with 354, and Oregon Episcopal School fin- ished third at 357. Myhre led the Outlaws with 100, Wyatt Hernandez followed with a 108. Kincaid Smelzer scored a 109, Felix Leahey shot a 116, and Dan Schmidt (freshman) rounded out the scores at 134. Mitchell said, “Both Felix and Dan did remarkably well for playing varsity for the first time. This game can be very intimidating, because you’re out there all on your own. These guys love the game, and they both want to improve.” The boys team has the week off. The Lady Outlaws were to play in Prineville on April 16. They will host a two-person scramble at Aspen Lakes on Thursday.
