Gun rights group files emergency motion to halt Oregon gun control law

On Wednesday, a pro 2nd amendment group along with a sheriff and gun store owner filed an emergency motion in federal court in order to halt the enforcement of what they believe to be one of the strictest gun laws in the country.

The lawsuit was filed by the Oregon Firearms Foundation, Sherman County Sheriff Brad Lohrey and Adam Johnson, owner of Coat of Arms Firearms.

The group argues that the new law, measure 114, is unconstitutional. The measure was approved by Oregon voters by a narrow margin and is scheduled to go into effect on Dec. 8.

Measure 114 will require all Oregon residents to obtain a permit to purchase a gun, it will also ban magazines that hold more than 10 rounds except in special circumstances and it will create a statewide firearms database.

“Banning magazines over 10 rounds is no more likely to reduce criminal abuse of guns then banning high horsepower engines is likely to reduce criminal abuse of automobiles,” the lawsuit said. “To the contrary, the only thing the ban contained in 114 ensures is that a criminal unlawfully carrying a firearm with a magazine over 10 rounds will have a potentially devastating advantage over his law-abiding victim.”

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut scheduled a hearing on the legislation for Dec. 2.

The state of Oregon has been given a deadline of Wednesday Nov. 30 to file a response to the emergency motion for a preliminary injunction.

Supporters of Measure 114 have said that banning large-capacity magazines will save lives because it would put shooters in a position where they have to pause to re-load, which in turn would provide an opportunity for others to intervene. 

The preliminary injunction has requested that Oregon refrain from rolling out the new law while the lawsuit is considered by the court.