Rally for new gun laws: 'We want responsibility, not control'
EUGENE, Ore. -- People rallied in support of gun violence prevention in downtown Eugene on Saturday.
Nearly two-dozen participants attended the rally at 8th and Oak, hoping to educate people about the new gun laws being considered by legislators in Salem.
Rally organizers from Ceasefire Oregon and Million Moms March voiced support of legislation that would require background checks for private sales of guns as well as a bill that would ban guns on school campuses.
Speakers and musicians also performed on stage in Eugene's downtown park blocks to show their support.
“We want people to unload and lock their guns up when they are in their houses,” said Betsy Steffensen, a speaker with the Million Mom March. “If your child is going to play with someone you should ask 'do you have guns in your house, how are they secured.' we want responsibility not control.”
On the sidewalk just outside the park blocks a number of pro-gun advocates wielded signs with messages opposing gun legislation on the sidewalk.
Gun-supporter Joy Stokes said she opposes the firearm legislation proposed at the state capitol.
“The background checks … it is not going to stop criminals. Criminals don't get background checks as it is. They buy their guns off the street. All they are doing is affecting law abiding citizens that don't have any ill intent with their weapons,” Stokes said.
Nice article in the Washington times, Baldr. OUCH. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/mar/4/oregon-gun-control-rally-draws-mayor-20-others/They didn't put it so nicely like KVAL, did they? LMAO.
@PleaseBeSmartÂ
A rally supporting a ban on âassault weaponsâ in Eugene, Ore., failed to draw the attention of the community Saturday afternoon, with only about 20 people in attendance, including the media.
Yup, sounds like a failure. Especially when compared to the thousands that turned out for gun rights.
âWe want people to unload and lock their guns up when they are in their houses,â said Betsy Steffensen.
Well, Miss Betsy, that won't do you much good if your house is being robbed and your life is at stake! How are you going to be able to act quickly and save yourself if that sort of situation. No time for fumbling with locks and loading. That'd do as much good as telling a rapist to 'hold on, don't we need a condom first?'Â
Education is what's needed. Make your kids aware of the dangers. Hell, people used to ride with loaded rifles in the back windows of their cars. Accidents happen but being educated helps to prevent those accidents; however, you can't fix stupid!
Get a clue lady!
"A bill that would ban guns on school campus's".
Methinks someone needs to read the what the Oregon Constitution has to say about such bills.
"we support and end to gun violence"...Â
YET PLEASE explain to me WHY my daughter is reading "Of Mice and Men" in school. Â The only thing the teacher is interested in on the 3 page report my daughter has to write is about Archetype's. Â
Don't bring guns to school, duh, like that fixes your ignorant silly deluded mind. Â
What about books like Of Mice and Men.Â
Why not discuss (better yet, why is the book in school), how George can murder Lennie for his own selfish reasons, taking the law into his own hands and the book ends.. with hardly a thought given to what just happened.Â
Oh no, maybe some gun violence clear across the US, but never mind 3/4 of the parents who have no idea what their kids are reading in school. Â A book on gun violence and murder, why? because George decides when and how to meter out justice.Â
Pathetic. Â march about something you know about. and while out marching... wake the hell up.
Look at all the Barney Fifes up in here.
Look at all the Sad Trolls up in here... Wait... there's only 1....
Comparing the number of responses by the anti-gun group (you can always count on Jason (I mean Baldr) to chime in everywhere he can), compared to the ones who don't want this unneeded and ineffective legislation, it's easy to draw a sense of what the people want. 24 people out of 175,000?   LOL. Even if all 24 wrote into these forums, they'd already be outnumbered.....
Mayor Kitty Piercy What the hell is wrong with you people. Where is your logic to the problem? The problem is Criminals, Psycho's and druggies. You control these people the gun problems are solved. Since when has a criminal went to a gun store to buy a gun and get a back ground check. Let's see duh never. You Lib Ta*ds need to get a grip. It's time for a change of politicians in Oregon, Lane county and Eugene. These libbers are taking our rights away one at a time. During May voting ballots I would like to see all gun owners vote against any increase in taxes, fee's or anything that would support these Lib Ta*rds.   Â
I personally don't carry a concealed weapon and never did even when I was a cop unless I was on assignment. That said, I understand people fearing for their safety, and the safety of their loved ones. I don't have any problem with people carrying concealed weapons legally because they are almost 100 percent legal and trained on safety measures. What you folks need to worry about if you attempt to pass legislation on the prevention of certain weapons you are giving up an enormous amount of safety, because the crooks will become more bold which means you will be less safe. The people pushing gun control legislation have no right, I repeat have no right to compromise your safety, and if you allow them to do so, you need to be reeducation someplace besides our current public schools.
So parents want to know if I have weapons in my house and how they are secured. Okay, I'd also like to know if they have any drugs in their house. Are they legal drugs or illegal drugs? How are they secured? Â Drugs kill more than guns do. I guess I should also ask if the other parents have any traffic infractions if they are going to driving my child anywhere. Do they have insurance? I mean, this just goes on and on. My guns are in my home. Your child playing in my yard has more to fear from my neighbor's dog than from any of my weapons.Â
we don't need education on some pipe dream legislation that already has no chance of passing.  I wouldn't even waste my time being there.  There may be things I don't think YOU should do in your house either, but I don't think (like normal people do.....think) we needs to tell you what to do in the privacy of your house. Yes, duh, we should all keep guns from children.  ... There are alot of things that obviously should be done , that are not.  Do we create laws for all of them, I hope not.  Socialists....... We should ban ignorant people from voting socialist agendas. You should have to take a stupid test before you are allowed to vote, or for that matter, run for public office.Â
These are the people that promoted house bill HB 3200 check it out. People this crazy have no weight in how or who owns firearms. This bill is dead on arrival but the mere suggestions they put forth show you how anti.freedom they are.
@Shofoeshore It's not dead until it's gone.  They're SAYING it's dead on arrival, but it's still there - just sitting.  I personally don't trust politicians, and I'll believe it's dead when it's gone.  Right now, it's not gone.  Oregon HB3200 is complete and total gun control.  I encourage everyone to look it up, write down the names of the 15 people who sponsored this bill (at the top), write to them, and tell them what you think of it.  Then, above all, REMEMBER those names the next time they need your vote.
Keep guns out of schools. Yeah because crazies and criminals are gonna obey the law or a sign. How about Ceasefire stop attacking the law abiding citizens and starts focusing on pushing for more severe penalties on criminals who use a firearm in the commissioning of a crime. If they (Ceasefire) were truly worried about the safety of our children they would push for better security infrastructure in our public schools and gun safety taught to seniors. Parents need to take some personal responsibility and talk to there children about what to do if they find an unsecured gun at a friends house. Not try and dictate policy on how and where I store my firearm in my own home. My kids know where I keep them (though don't have access to them) and have been taught what to do if they come across an unsecured firearm. More personal responsibility with accountability is required and less government intrusion. Thankfully these extremists obviously are not in the majority or the criminal element in this city, alone, would be disastrous.
These same liberals supported legislation removing religion from the public square, abortion on demand, amnesty for illegal aliens and lenient sentences for criminals. Progressives have created the very society they believe their trying to save by infringing on the Constitutional rights of law abiding citizens. We will not comply with your idiotic laws!
Would liberals accept a background check where no make, model or serial numbers were mentioned? Â
I feel a comment section filled with ignorance in the making.
See what I mean.
@godless anarchist I don't see what you mean. I see you attacking people with petty insults because you don't agree with them. If you want to change someone's stance, use reason.Â
@MP SGT @godless anarchist Please don't feed the trolls.
@godless anarchist I beleive the name godless anarchist says it all. I would think a change of clothes would be in oder.
@godless anarchist Just because you don't agree with a statement doesn't make it ignorant. There are poor pro-gun law arguments out there, no doubt. However, it seems to me that most people here are making sound reasons for their stance on this.Â
@godless anarchist And you lead the parade of ignorance by making that statement. Just because we don't agree, there is no reason to alienate someone. Your attitude is the major problem, not someone's weapons in their home.
The only reason people need to carry firearms is because of the idiotic social policies enacted by the same liberals who seek to disarm law-abiding Americans.  Of course, they fight tooth and nail for the "right" to kill their unborn children, but God forbid someone wants to maintain their right of self preservation. Apparently the irony is lost on them (like any inkling of common sense).Â
Â
if you unload and lock your guns up how do you protect your self and family,friends? best way teach kids to not touch guns.from a very young age.Â
@marine 62Â Like this one? Â Â http://kidshootings.blogspot.com/2012/01/boy-living-at-gun-club-accidentally_10.html
More reason for going  back to the musket - too long and complex for a child to injure themselves with.  Why not if to save the one life Baldr tragically points out...?
@J. Burton Because our government and other governments are not converting to muskets and neither are criminals. Also, you obviously know nothing about firearms... muskets are smooth bore and, as such, are wickedly inaccurate. If I'm aiming at something or someone, I'd rather like to hit what I'm aiming at and not the person 10 ft to the side.
@J. Burton Wait, are you serious? The musket? Â
@Baldr Odinson @marine 62Â
Long before daycare, my sister and I stayed home from school alone when we were sick because our parents worked. Never....EVER did we even think about going and getting one of Dad's guns. It never entered our minds. I knew my father would be very angry and I feared that more than the gun frankly. My father wasn't my friend, he was my parent. Teach your children about weapons as you would teach them not to drink and drive.
@Baldr Odinson "Presumably both brothers were well-acquainted with the four rules of gun safety..." Presumably? And obviously not.Â
@Baldr Odinson Being born and raised at a range doesn't mean you've been taught proper safety. Considering there was a negligent discharge, he obviously was not following very basic gun safety rules.
@PleaseBeSmart @Baldr Odinson Yes, given that they LIVED on the grounds of a shooting club and their family managed it, and that guns were an integral part of their lives. Â
You can play semantics all you like. It's still gun control. The courts have repeatedly said that guns are allowed on campus, but you just keep pushing anyway, don't ya? I'll still be carrying every day, to every class. (Except physical fitness classes. Safety first! :) But not just me; LCC is a well armed campus. Makes me feel quite safe.
@PleaseBeSmart I'm armed when I'm there. Do people really think outlawing guns on school property protects the children? Yeah, because some person with ill intentions is going to see the sign and just turn around and go home. How idiotic can people really be?