Oregon bill passes expanding background checks for gun sales

Salem, Ore. — Background checks to own firearms will expand, Oregon lawmakers made the decision late this afternoon, a ruling that many Southern Oregon lawmakers and sheriff’s are not happy about. NBC 5’s Jennifer Elliott is live in our Medford newsroom with the latest, Jennifer

Oregon senate bill 941 passed the house in a 32 to 28 vote. The bill will expand background checks on gun sales between private parties in Oregon. Similar bills failed to clear the senate in both 2013 and 2014 when democrats had a smaller majority. Southern Oregon sheriff’s Corey Falls, Dave Daniel and Frank Skrah have all spoken out against Oregon senate bill 941. Sheriff Falls issued this statement last month on facebook, reading in part:

“This type of legislation is designed to govern and regulate the behavior of law abiding citizens not those who choose to engage in illegal activity.”

The senate previously passed the bill in mid April. Governor Brown has remained tight lipped on the bill. It now heads her desk for a signature.