Oregon AG sues Yamhill, Harney counties over ordinances challenging new gun safety laws

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum filed lawsuits Friday against Yamhill and Harney counties, asking Circuit Court judges in those counties to order that new state gun safety laws remain fully in force – and fully enforceable.

Rosenblum said the lawsuits are in response to the adoption of ordinances in these counties that seek to nullify new statewide gun safety laws. The ordinances also provide that responsible officials who enforce the state’s duly-enacted laws can be prosecuted or subjected to private lawsuits.

“Gun safety laws exist to help keep guns out of dangerous hands and keep people safe. A county commission simply doesn’t get to override state law in this way,” Rosenblum said. “The laws of Oregon remain fully in force – and fully enforceable – notwithstanding these invalid ordinances.

"No officials should be frightened out of properly doing their job by the threat of illegitimate criminal charges or bogus lawsuits," she continued. "Although today’s lawsuits are addressed to only these two Oregon counties, other counties have enacted similar illegal ordinances. These actions will hopefully send the message that we are prepared to preserve the rule of law across our state.”

Copies of the attorney general’s lawsuits can be found here (Harney County) and here (Yamhill County).