The Clackamas print., January 30, 2013, Image 1

http://www.theclackamasprint.com
With violence making headlines,
^ ¡ S l gun contr°l and mental health issues
become hot topics for debate.
Popularity perks for packing heat
Joshua Dillen
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Explosive is one way to
describe the sales o f firearms
locally following the recent pro­
liferation o f tragic shooting events
in the news these days. In addition
to a frenzied discussion among
gun control advocates and those
with ä determined and specific
belief in the Second Amendment,
area residents are buying guns,
ammunition and accessories at a
vigorous pace.
Business at one local gun
store seems to prove this rig h t
According to Tim Greve, market­
ing director at Northwest Armory,
their business is doing very well
and not just since the Clackamas
shooting or the Newtown, Conn,
shooting.
“The Saturday after the
Presidential Election, we had our
record sales day ever,” Greve said.
“After the recent tragic shootings
in December, our sales eclipsed
that record and have stayed dra­
matic and steady since then.”
Last Saturday afternoon on
McLoughlin Blvd., at the south
end o f Milwaukie, the gun store
had an overflowing parking lot.
The sound o f horns, copious
amounts o f pedestrians and sev­
eral vehicles jostling for a spot to
park made the lot more similar to
one during a Black Friday sale.
A well-armed man stationed
at the entrance to the sales room
greets all customers who make
it past two huge stuffed moose
heads in the small entry.
“I ’m sorry sir, I can’t let you in
until someone leaves,” Anthony
Holley said to a man at the front of
a line that included seven people
waiting to cross into the sales
floor.
Holley, a security guard
employed by Executive Security
Services, was busy managing the
huge influx o f people into and
out o f the bustling business. His
company provides crowd control,
customer service and security ser­
vices for the store. It was clear he
had a very busy job to do as gun
enthusiasts almost overwhelmed
the antler-filled cubicle o f the
entryway.
The line quickly moved into
and out o f a brightly lit store filled
with glass cases o f handguns and
racks filled with rifles o f all kinds.
Shelves held boxes o f ammunition
o f all calibers that people were
piling into a friend’s or their own
arms. Small groups o f shoppers,
families and couples entered and
left at a rapid pace. Grins and
excitement were obvious from all
o f them.
Making sure guns do not get
into the wrong hands is top prior­
ity, according to Greve. Besides
background checks and other
requirem ents o f Oregon law,
employees at Northwest Armory
have to scrutinize customers in
other ways.
For more on our
continuing
WTF series,
see also
“Get informed
before you shoot”
on page 2.
Please see GUNS, Page 2
Playwright’s passion is welcome on stage
Anna Franz
The Clackamas Print
Jacklyn Maddux performs at the Third Rail Repertory Theatre at the
Portland Center fo r Performing Arts in Susan M ach’s play, ‘‘A Noble
Failure, ” which runs through Feb. 3.
Sue Mach, a local playwright
in Portland and a faculty member
at Clackamas Community College,
has recently had the world premier
o f two o f her plays at local theaters
in Portland, “A Noble Failure” as
well as “The Lost Boy.”
“A Noble Failure” is being per­
formed by the Third Rail Repertory
Theatre at thé Portland Center for
Performing Arts in the Winningstad
Theater in downtown Portland and
had been nom inated for the Angus
L. Bowmer award at the 2012
Passionate about the issue,
Oregon Book Awards (OBA.)
M ach is an accomplished
The play takes place in present playwright and educator. She
day United States, in the Fillmore, received her MA in playwrit­
Calif, school district. This play ing from Boston University, has
addresses the issues pertaining to premiered multiple plays in mul­
the public education system, spe­ tiple cities including New York
cifically in reference to the No Child and has not only been nomi­
Left Behind Act as well as Common nated for, but has received many
Core Assessments.
awards, including the Oregon
“Testing is ju s t a measure,” Book Award for Drama. She
Barbara (portrayed by Maureen is currently teaching literature
Porter) said to a young math teach­ and composition classes at the
er, Darren during the course o f the Oregon City Campus here at
performance.
CCC and she has been a faculty
“No, it’s not. Not when schools member at the college for more
are closing because o f it,” Darren than 15 years.
(played by John San Nicholas)
replied.
Please see PLAYWRIGHT, Page 4