For Immediate Release
Contact: Molly Woon
press [at] dpo [dot] org
Democrats call on Buehler to release endorsement questionnaires from right-wing gun groups
October 19th, 2017
PORTLAND — Pointing to recent comments from the Buehler campaign expressing disinterest in common sense gun reforms, Oregon Democrats are calling on the Republican candidate for Governor to release his endorsement questionnaires from the Oregon Firearms Federation, the National Rifle Association, and any other firearm groups.
“Oregonians need to know what promises Knute Buehler has been making to groups like the NRA and the Oregon Firearms Federation,” said Jeanne Atkins, chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon. “These organizations promote extremist views that are out of touch with Oregon values. We know that Republican Knute Buehler has earned their support in the past, and Oregon voters deserve to know what he promised these radical gun groups to earn that support.”
According to votesmart.org, in 2016 Buehler earned a 93% rating from the NRA and a 96% rating from the Oregon Firearms Federation — an organization so extreme that they are taking the NRA to task for supporting a ban on “bump stocks,” a firearm modifier that the Las Vegas shooter used to increase the deadliness of his semi-automatic weapons earlier this month.
On the day after the deadliest mass shooting in modern history, Buehler told the Bend Bulletin that he believed addressing gun violence was pointless:
“But Buehler said he believed mass murder would continue with or without new legislation. ‘Unfortunately, evil exists in our world and deranged madmen won’t be deterred by another new law no matter how well-intended,’ Buehler said.”
However, research has shown that states with more gun safety laws see fewer firearm related deaths.
“Buehler's unwillingness to take action on common sense gun reform, his careless comments of late on gun violence, and his legislative record of voting against gun safety laws should raise serious concerns for Oregonians,” said Atkins.
As a member of the Oregon House of Representatives, Buehler had several opportunities to vote on common sense policies to expand background checks. It has been widely reported that 90 percent of Americans support these types of policies.
Buehler’s no votes include:
2017: Extreme risk protection order (SB 719): NO
2016: Background checks delays, also known as the “Charleston Loophole” (HB 4147): NO
2015: Background checks on private sales (SB 941) : NO
In a story published by OPB just one week after the Las Vegas shooting, Buehler’s campaign made clear that they are not interested in pursuing gun safety legislation in the upcoming legislative session.
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