EUGENE, Ore. — Crowds gathered in downtown Eugene to rally for tighter gun control laws, but the demonstration was also met by protesters who do not want stricter laws.
Ceasefire Oregon and Million Moms March are two groups that organized the rally. The groups said they want to see stricter gun laws, particularly restrictions on assault weapons and high capacity magazines.
Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy delivered the keynote address at the rally. Piercy is a part of a group called Mayors Against Illegal Guns, which pushes for criminal background checks for all gun sales, and making gun trafficking illegal. She said they are not trying to ban all guns.
Gun owners who showed up to counter the demonstration said stricter gun laws will not help cut down on violence. “Background checks don’t apply to criminals, they’re not going to go to your local Sports Authority or wherever to buy a firearm. They’re going to go to the street,” said Trevor Burchard, Eugene gun owner.
The protesters said they’re against Oregon House Bill 3200 that would put a limit on the number of assault weapons a person can own. It would also require current owners to get rid of these weapons, or register them.
One event organizer shared firsthand gun violence stories with the crowd. “They’re no longer a symbol of freedom, they’re exactly what they were designed to be, a lethal weapon that once again wound up in the wrong hands,” said Baldr Odinson, Ceasefire Oregon member.
Demonstrations on both sides were peaceful. Event organizers even said they were glad gun owners showed up because it gave them a chance to discuss their opinions.
9 comments
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ahshucks says:
March 2, 2013 at 7:27 pm (UTC -7)
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.
Postone says:
March 3, 2013 at 7:44 am (UTC -7)
Well said, bravo!
don jones says:
March 3, 2013 at 12:13 am (UTC -7)
HB3200 won’t even make it to the floor, Prozanski said it wouldn’t. It is outrageous yes, but is off the table. Oregon will go along side the federal law.
BTW, you can’t ban a “class” of weapons. An assault weapon ban, although it sounds ominous, won’t happen. The deal is” put the most ignorant outrageous bill together you can, then you might end up with exactly want you want in compromise.
That is how come our legislators are most always lawyers. They are slimy and dirty to start with.
Postone says:
March 3, 2013 at 7:43 am (UTC -7)
The problem is that the powers that be (in this case the Eugene City Counsel) don’t think, they just react. Just like the rest of the powers that be, its a bandwagon. And I’m not trying to be mean here.
The fact is you all (lawmakers, politicians, local and county governments) attack this problem and the law abiding citizens of the communities around this nation when its not the law abiding citizen who carrying out these atrocities.
I only have a GED (never finished high school) and I can figure this out, how come you people in city government whom (most if not all) have college degrees can’t?
It just boggles the mind…
Postone says:
March 3, 2013 at 9:04 am (UTC -7)
I don’t understand how in the world the powers that be (Mayor and the Eugene city counsel) can think creating stricter laws will stop criminals from purchasing guns and killing people with them?
You are only making it harder for the law abiding citizen to purchase firearms. Unless that is your “intent” (agenda) is that your intent to make it harder and harder for law abiding citizens to purchase guns. Or are you just “lambs and followers, who do what ever the Federal Government and the rest of the powers that be are doing, by making hard and harder to legally purchase firearms?
I have a GED and I understand that NO CRIMINAL IS GOING TO WALK INTO GUN STORE AND TRY TO LEGALLY PURCHASE A FIRE ARM! Thus, creating new laws or banning certain firearms is not going to stop any future killing!
I’m assuming most of you on the Eugene City counsel and the Mayor have college degrees?
The “lack” of “critical thinking” and the common sense of those elected (in Eugene,) to serve the citizens (and indeed all the powers that be in this country) is simply mind boggling!
Alex Pape says:
March 3, 2013 at 9:14 am (UTC -7)
I find it hard to believe much that a person says when they don’t even care to give their real name when speaking to the public. Baldr Odinson a screen name adopted by this anti-gun blogger. He and Ceasefire Oregon clearly have little or no credibility given the fact only about a dozen or so people showed up to support this event. Nearly as many people showed up in opposition.
ahshucks says:
March 5, 2013 at 11:49 am (UTC -7)
@Alex Pape; Frankly its none of your business why we don’t use our real.
jason marks says:
March 3, 2013 at 10:14 am (UTC -7)
It’s all a bunch of hot air and waste of time.
Concentrate on funding and budgeting issues to make at least a half assed attempt at keeping the criminals we have, yet alone worrying about making new criminals out of law abiding citizens by taking away their constitutional rights.
Foolish, ignorant people.
ahshucks says:
March 5, 2013 at 11:50 am (UTC -7)
@Alex Pape; Frankly its none of your business why we don’t use our real name.