[ad_1]
FRANÇOIS VIGNEAULT
The threat of COVID-19 has Oregonians buying firearms at record rates.
According to Oregon State Police’s database, the number of requests for firearm background checks—a required step to purchasing a gun from a licensed dealer in Oregon—was double the average rate in March.
The state’s data shows that on average, the monthly rate for Oregon background check requests between 2017 and February 2020 was 23,669. Last month, that number shot up to 51,526.
That trend was reflected locally: In March 2019, Multnomah County reported 2,523 background check requests. Last month, that number was 4,715.
Firearm shops have witnessed record gun sales across the US as the country grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the FBI, more than 3.7 million background checks were conducted in March—the highest number in a single month since background checks became mandatory in 1998.
Some states, including New York, have closed gun shops as part of their sweeping stay-at-home orders, prompting legal blowback from the National Rifle Association (NRA). The NRA argues the closures infringe on Americans’ Second Amendment rights.
Gov. Kate Brown declined to name gun stores in her executive order that closed a wide range of other retail businesses. The vast majority of Portland-area gun shops, however, have continued to remain open—some with reduced hours and capacity limits—and continue to see firearms and ammunition flying off their shelves.
Oregon Arms and Ammunition posted on Facebook on March 18 that its business was seeing an “absolutely insane” demand from customers.
Advocates with Ceasefire Oregon Education Foundation, a group that focuses on reducing gun violence, say they’re worried what the increase in gun sales could mean for people experiencing mental health crises or unsafe home environments. The Portland Police Bureau recently announced that both domestic violence calls and suicide attempts increased significantly in March.
“Gun owners should understand that bringing a firearm into your home and community increases the chance that a family member will be fatally shot with that firearm or use it for suicide,” warned Penny Okamoto, the nonprofit’s executive director, in a press release sent Monday.
If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.
[ad_2]
Source link
794918 580154Hello! I would wish to supply a large thumbs up for your outstanding info you can have here about this post. Ill be coming back to your blog internet site for further soon. 185437
33675 346803Really superb info can be found on weblog . 209723
774273 519555Some really useful details in there. Why not hold some sort of contest for your readers? 727632
128578 318959Hey, you used to write fantastic, but the last few posts have been kinda boringK I miss your excellent writings. Past couple of posts are just a bit out of track! come on! 864750
984013 532277I love the appear of your site. I recently built mine and I was looking for some design concepts and you gave me several. Could I ask you whether you developed the web site by youself? 399096
946783 430673I feel you did an awesome job explaining it. Sure beats having to research it on my own. Thanks 902350
738670 57309The book is excellent, but this review is not exactly spot-on. Being a Superhero is much more about selecting foods that heal your body, not just eating meat/dairy-free. Processed foods like those mentioned in this review arent what Alicia is trying to promote. If you arent open to sea vegetables (and yes, Im talking sea weed), just stop at vegan. 480329
15233 156009Hey. Neat post. There can be a issue with your site in firefox, and you may want to check this The browser could be the market chief and a large component of other folks will omit your superb writing because of this dilemma. 488254
922448 295647This is a right blog for would like to find out about this subject. You realize a whole lot its almost challenging to argue along (not that I personally would wantHaHa). You really put the latest spin with a subject thats been discussed for a long time. Fantastic stuff, just amazing! 484223
31124 22182Cool text dude, maintain up the good work, just shared this with the mates 360764
230595 499368Enjoyed reading through this, quite excellent stuff, thankyou . 484894
727773 835272An extremely fascinating read, I may possibly not concur completely, but you do make some very valid points. 494550
892817 107593You appear to be extremely skilled in the way you write.::~ 780657
86219 349320I real pleased to locate this internet site on bing, just what I was seeking for : D too saved to bookmarks . 243564
641530 644799Yeah bookmaking this wasnt a risky determination outstanding post! . 214181