Redmond gun-maker organizes Salem rally against measure

A strict new gun control bill has been put before Oregon lawmakers at the request of a group of students. Senate Bill 501 would impose six new limits on gun owners — and though it hasn’t even had a hearing as of yet, it has a worried Redmond gun-maker organizing a Salem rally this weekend to oppose such a move.

If passed, the proposal would require gun owners to get a permit before purchasing or receiving a firearm. It would require guns to be secured with a trigger or cable lock. Any lost or stolen guns would need to be reported within 24 hours, and the bill would not allow the transfer of a gun for 14 days until state police say the person is cleared to receive it.

It also would prohibit the possession of a magazine that holds more than five rounds, require a background check before the purchase of ammunition and limit ammunition sales, such that only 20 rounds would be able to be purchased within 30 days.

Joshua Underwood, the owner of Radian Weapons in Redmond, is against the bill and each of its proposed limitations.

“One of the ones that’s most absurd is the restriction on ammunition as far as number of rounds per month,” he said Wednesday. “That’s not even an adequate number for some to practice, to be able to adequately defend themselves and be safe about it.”

Underwood said he has never really gotten involved with politics but he wanted to do something about this, so he organized a “Defend the 2nd” rally at the state Capitol this Saturday afternoon.

“I’m surprised the state’s got to this point in legislators wanting to infringe on clear constitutional rights to this level,” Underwood said. “It’s quite shocking, and I just decided that I have no choice but to get involved and make a stand and invest some money and time to and call the citizens to act.”

NewsChannel 21 reached out to supporters and legislative sponsors of the bill. The one sponsor who responded would not go on camera.

We also got in touch with one of the students who helped write the bill, but her mother said she cannot go on camera for safety reasons, due to threats made against lawmakers who sponsored the measure.