Mourning and Mobilizing
PORTLAND, Ore. — In the wake of a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, local advocacy groups in Portland gathered to grieve, pray, and call for urgent action on gun reform.
Lift Every Voice Oregon, a coalition dedicated to ending gun violence, hosted a press conference Tuesday at Augustana Lutheran Church. Faith leaders, community advocates, and survivors joined together to honor victims while pressing lawmakers to strengthen gun laws in Oregon.
Call to Enforce Measure 114
Central to their message was a demand for Oregon’s long-stalled Measure 114 to take effect once it clears the courts. Approved narrowly by voters in November 2022, the law remains tied up in litigation over its constitutionality, with a final ruling expected from the Oregon Supreme Court later this year.
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If enacted, Measure 114 would:
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Require individuals to obtain a permit to purchase a firearm.
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Mandate completion of a safety course and passage of a background check.
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Ban the sale of magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition.
Advocates argue that these steps represent common-sense reforms designed to save lives without infringing on responsible gun ownership.
Funding Violence Prevention
In addition to pushing for Measure 114’s implementation, Lift Every Voice Oregon leaders urged the state to restore funding for violence prevention programs. They pointed to recent budget cuts that undermined community-based initiatives aimed at reducing shootings before they occur.
“These tragedies are preventable,” one speaker said. “We need stronger laws and the resources to build safer communities. Thoughts and prayers alone will not stop the bloodshed.”
A Broader National Debate
The Portland gathering reflects a growing frustration among gun reform advocates nationwide. While communities grieve repeated mass shootings, legal and political challenges continue to stall or weaken legislative action.
The Minnesota church shooting, which has once again reignited national headlines, served as a sobering backdrop for Portland activists’ demands. For them, the tragedy underscored how urgently Oregon must act to enforce reforms already supported by voters.
Faith Leaders Join the Call
Augustana Lutheran Church pastor and community leaders emphasized that faith communities have a role in addressing gun violence. Churches, they argued, are not only places of prayer but also platforms for justice.
“We pray for peace, but we must also act for peace,” said one clergy member. “Every life lost to gun violence is a call to action.”
Awaiting the Court’s Decision
For now, the future of Measure 114 rests with the Oregon Supreme Court, which is set to hear arguments this November. The ruling will determine whether the voter-approved reforms can finally be enacted three years after their passage.
Until then, groups like Lift Every Voice Oregon vow to keep up pressure on lawmakers and the courts, insisting that Oregon cannot afford to wait any longer.
