The fate of an Oregon gun control measure opponents call “extremist” is coming down to the wire as Nov. 8 looms, with KGW News in Portland reporting a recent poll showing slightly more opposition than support, but the margin is about 3 percentage points.
According to Nelson Research, “Measure 114 has 46.1% of voters supporting, with 49.4% opposing, and 4.5% remain undecided.” As a result, this battle is too close to call just four days before the election.
Measure 114 would require a permit from the police just to buy a gun—a mandate that will almost certainly face a court challenge if it passes—and require firearms training, which Oregon law enforcement agencies say they are not equipped to provide.
Opposition to the measure is led by the Oregon Firearms Federation and grassroots Second Amendment activists across the Beaver State. The measure also bans ammunition magazines that hold more than ten rounds.
Portland-based gun prohibitionists have championed the initiative, but based on the Nelson Research figures, they may be losing momentum.
One proponent, Reverend Dr. Matt Hennessee of the Interfaith Peace and Action Collaborative, told KGW, “Nowhere in 114 is anyone said that we’re coming after your Second Amendment right.”
Opponents, however, say that’s exactly what Measure 114 does by requiring Oregon residents to jump through bureaucratic hoops in order to exercise a constitutionally-protected right.
Oregon may have a healthy voter turnout as the state is also selecting a new governor, and it appears Republican Christine Drazan is running ahead (43.5%) of Democrat Tina Kotek (41.1%). Voters supporting Drazan are likely against Measure 114, so a big turnout of Republican voters could translate to a gun control defeat.
If Drazan wins, she will be the first Republican in the Oregon governor’s office in decades. An Independent candidate, Betsy Johnson, is pulling in 5.4 percent of the vote, according to Nelson Research data, and 9.4 percent of voters are still undecided.
