Gov. Brown signs gun control bill as crowd cheers

(Update: Governor signs bill)

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Oregon Gov. Kate Brown signed into law Monday a bill that bars convicted domestic abusers and people under restraining orders from buying or owning guns and ammunition.

Brown signed the bill that adds more people to an existing ban on the steps of the Oregon Capitol as several hundred onlookers cheered.

Among them were high school students who had come to press for school safety and to meet with Brown.

Brown said the law is the first passed since last month’s mass shooting at a Florida high school school.

The bill was introduced before the shooting, and was passed by lawmakers after the killings of 17 people.

Earlier in the day, Brown met with the students and urged the 18-year-old among them to vote.

The bill closed a loophole in a 2015 law that excluded some abusers from the ban, such as boyfriends who abuse partners they don’t live with.

Brown said in a statement that she hopes the tide is turning on America’s gun debate, with national action and federal legislation needed for meaningful change.

“Closing the ‘Intimate Partner Loophole’ is an important step to keep Oregonians safer from gun violence, and I couldn’t be more proud to sign HB 4145 into law,” Brown said. “I’m hopeful that the tide is turning on our nation’s gun debate, and that we now have the chance to enact meaningful change. As we celebrate Oregon’s victory, we must keep looking ahead to the next step towards stopping senseless gun violence. We need national action and federal legislation.”