Court Case Ties Into Gun Rights-Legislative Efforts

April 13, 2009

CHL Court Case Ties Into Gun Rights-Legislative Efforts
By State Representative Kim Thatcher,

(Salem) The Oregon Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in Eugene today on the case of a Medford teacher who was disciplined for trying to exercise her Second Amendment Rights. State Representative Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer, St. Paul, Newberg) is working on legislation related to this case and a work session on her measure –House Bill 2727 – is planned for Wednesday, April 15th.

The Court held a special hearing at the University of Oregon Law School this morning. Some of the judges commented any rush to rule on this case might be premature because there are several bills in the Legislature to address the issues raised by this case.

“This case lead to a serious debate about whether the records of Concealed Handgun License Holders should be released to the public,” said Thatcher. HB 2727 was designed to prevent government agencies in Oregon from giving out CHL records. “Unfortunately, attempts are being made to water down the strong protections in the bill.” The House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday at 1 PM in Hearing Room 357.

In the Medford situation, Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winters refused to turn over CHL records requested by the local newspaper. “If we don’t get this stopped and get this legislation passed we’re going to be opening Pandora’s box so to speak,” said Winters in testimony on HB 2727 at a hearing March 10, 2009.

Several of Representative Thatcher’s constituents also testified at the first hearing including Ted Goatsman of Keizer. “I feel like if this is released it’s a form of identity theft just being released to the public. It also identifies me for anybody that wants to get a gun at a cheap price, like free, they just wait and go into my house and see if they could find it.”

On Thursday, Representative Thatcher will be among the guest speakers at a special rally at Oregon State University Memorial Union Quad starting at 6 PM on Thursday April 16th. The rally is part of Second Amendment Week at OSU.


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State Representative Kim Thatcher
900 Court Street NE H-472 Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1425
www.leg.state.or.us/thatcher ~ Rep.kimthatcher@state.or.us

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