SALEM, OR. — The Oregon chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, issued the following statement after the legislature passed Senate Bill 1503 with bipartisan support. The measure creates a 17-member Community Safety and Firearm Suicide Prevention Task Force that will make recommendations on reducing gun suicides and increasing community safety. SB 1503 now heads to Governor Tina Kotek’s desk.
“It shouldn’t go unnoticed that bipartisan lawmakers are coming together to confront the life-threatening challenges facing our communities,” said Maria Aron, a volunteer with the Oregon chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We look forward to working with lawmakers on the task force to find common-sense solutions that center communities most impacted by gun violence to save lives. We urge Governor Kotek to sign this bill swiftly because our communities cannot wait. Working together is the only way to curb our state’s high suicide rate, and protect Oregon families from senseless acts of gun violence.”
In an average year, 587 people die by guns in Oregon. With a rate of 13.0 deaths per 100,000 people, Oregon has the 34th-highest rate of gun deaths in the US. 79% of gun deaths in Oregon are by firearm suicide. Gun violence costs Oregon $8.1 billion each year, of which $89.1 million is paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence in Oregon is available here.
