Sponsored by: Democratic Party of Washington County, Oregon Approved: 08/04/2013
A RESOLUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF OREGON
REGARDING THE CONTROL OF FIREARM VIOLENCE
WHEREAS recent incidents in Newtown, CT, Aurora, CO, and the Clackamas Town Center, OR bring a focus to the problem of firearm violence in the US; and
WHEREAS over 97,000 people are shot in the US each year including 31,000 deaths of which 3000 are children; and
WHEREAS the 2012 Democratic National Platform advocates reinstatement of the assault weapons ban, more thorough background checks for gun ownership, and closure of the “gun show loophole” that exempts private sellers from doing background checks and providing trigger locks for weapons sold:
WE, THEREFORE, MEMBERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF OREGON, RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. We support the efforts of the Executive Branch to reduce firearm violence in America, including the appointment of an ATF Director;
Section 2. We support efforts in Congress to enact measures to control firearm violence, including the confirmation of an ATF Director;
Section 3: We support efforts to close the “gun show loophole” and require background checks at all public firearm sales for prior criminal activity and for evidence of mental instability;
Section 4: We support efforts to strengthen the accuracy, efficiency, and reliability of the background check system for firearm purchases;
Section 5. We support legislation that restricts the sale and possession of “assault weapons”, as defined in the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban*, including requirements for storage, training in use, and liability for involvement in criminal actions;
Section 6: We support the efforts of the Executive Branch and Congressional leaders to improve mental health service and access, particularly regarding identification and treatment for young people or people with a history of violence.
Submitted by the Democratic Party of Washington County, Oregon approved February 27, 2013. Referred back to the Platform Committee by the DPO Central Committee, May 19, 2013. ADOPTED as amended by the Democratic Party of Oregon on 4th day of August, 2013.
* 1994 AWB – Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act, a subtitle of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.
