Good morning, Representative Frederick:
We are PSU Students for Concealed Carry, and we are very disappointed in your views on the Second Amendment.
The video https://www.youtube.com/watch?
shows the utter lack of understanding of what the Second Amendment is. Please read District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) and McDonald v. City of Chicago (2010).
In the same way that we have seen tremendous growth in technology during our lifetimes, the founders of the constitution saw incredible growth in the technology and philosophy of their day. It is unreasonable to assume that they were not capable of understanding that technology would continue to improve, just as we look with anticipation to the kinds of technology and advances we'll see in the next 20 years, or what our descendants will see in the next 200.
Additionally, your assertion that the second amendment should be interpreted during the era in which it was written - namely, that it should only apply to the technology available to the authors - shows a concerning lack of understanding on how the constitution works. The constitution and bill of rights are meant to ensure basic human rights that are inherent to all living people in the United States while growing to adapt to new challenges that arise through time. They were not meant to keep people living in the 18th century, nor were they written as government-granted rights susceptible to withdraw as the government sees fit.
We expect better from our representatives. We share your concern about gun violence, and expect that our leaders will come up with meaningful solutions that address the root causes of violent crimes - systemic inequality, lack of education, lack of resources or access to opportunities. The right of every person to self-defense is just as important as our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
We strongly urge you to vote NO on any anti-gun legislation which does nothing to stop violent crime (which is down nationwide, by the way, during the same time of record breaking gun sales), and all to do with placing undue burdens on law abiding gun owners.
Sincerely
Kendra Moon
President
PSU Students for Concealed Carry
https://sites.google.com/site/
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Monday, February 1, 2016
PSUSCC response to Oregon SB 1551
February 2nd, 2016
Written Testimony for SB 1551
Dear Oregon Senators:
We're Portland State University Students for Concealed Carry (PSUSCC). PSUSCC is a student club that was officially launched a little over a month ago, and now has 31 members. Our members have found an incredibly diverse group of people who all share an interest and a passion for the sport of shooting and the Second Amendment. We are from diverse racial, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds; we are men, women, conservatives, and liberals; we are straight, bisexual, and queer; we are survivors of sexual assault, veterans, older adults with incredible life experiences, and young adults just beginning our careers. What unites us is our firm belief that self-defense an unalienable human right, and our commitment to safe, responsible gun-ownership.
We're 100% opposed to SB 15511 and urge you to VOTE NO for the following reasons:
1. The bill would grant a wide range of individuals the ability to make the assumption that someone is experiencing a mental health crisis. The problem here is that neither educators, school principles, instructors or administrators of a college or university have the mental health education or experience necessary to make a report whose ramifications are so severe as to strip someone of a constitutional right without due process.
2. It is a curious thing to consider that a report sent to the State Police Firearms Unit alleging that someone is experiencing a mental health crisis and shouldn't be able to buy a firearm, isn't serious enough for any kind of followup. In fact, the accused will have no way of knowing their constitutional right has been taken away until they attempt to purchase a firearm.
3. There is ZERO due process.
4. There is no limit to the number of times someone vindictive (or have someone else on their behalf) renew the report.
5. The burden of proof is on the accused to show “clear and convincing evidence” that they're not a danger to themselves or others. This is time and money.
We are incredibly concerned with SB 1551 and the direct attack on the constitutionally protected rights of all Oregonians. In particular, we are troubled with the lack of due process afforded to individuals in this bill. Under SB 1551, any individual can have their second amendment rights taken away from them without knowing who is accusing them of being unsafe, or even when they have been accused. Under this bill, the burden is on gun owners to prove they are innocent – at their own time and expense – in order to restore their freedom to purchase a firearm. This is unconstitutional, and in our democratic republic, this type of legislation is unconscionable.
We believe Oregonians can do better than a secret system designed to strip away the rights of citizens unless they can prove their innocence. We can address gun violence and mental health issues without sacrificing the rights of the thousands of Oregonians who have been diagnosed with a mental health issue, the majority of whom are more likely to be the victim of a violent crime, rather than the perpetrator.
We need forward thinking, compassionate solutions that address the real causes of violent crime and create lasting, positive changes for Oregonians. SB 1551 will not achieve this. It will create an environment of fear where those who are struggling with difficult emotions are scared to get help, for fear that it could cost them their freedom. Meanwhile, violent criminals will continue to get guns the way they always have: on the black market.
We urge you to vote no on SB 1551. This is a direct attack on law abiding gun owners. It will do nothing to stop violent crime.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kendra
President
Portland State University – Students for Concealed Carry
Written Testimony for SB 1551
Dear Oregon Senators:
We're Portland State University Students for Concealed Carry (PSUSCC). PSUSCC is a student club that was officially launched a little over a month ago, and now has 31 members. Our members have found an incredibly diverse group of people who all share an interest and a passion for the sport of shooting and the Second Amendment. We are from diverse racial, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds; we are men, women, conservatives, and liberals; we are straight, bisexual, and queer; we are survivors of sexual assault, veterans, older adults with incredible life experiences, and young adults just beginning our careers. What unites us is our firm belief that self-defense an unalienable human right, and our commitment to safe, responsible gun-ownership.
We're 100% opposed to SB 15511 and urge you to VOTE NO for the following reasons:
1. The bill would grant a wide range of individuals the ability to make the assumption that someone is experiencing a mental health crisis. The problem here is that neither educators, school principles, instructors or administrators of a college or university have the mental health education or experience necessary to make a report whose ramifications are so severe as to strip someone of a constitutional right without due process.
2. It is a curious thing to consider that a report sent to the State Police Firearms Unit alleging that someone is experiencing a mental health crisis and shouldn't be able to buy a firearm, isn't serious enough for any kind of followup. In fact, the accused will have no way of knowing their constitutional right has been taken away until they attempt to purchase a firearm.
3. There is ZERO due process.
4. There is no limit to the number of times someone vindictive (or have someone else on their behalf) renew the report.
5. The burden of proof is on the accused to show “clear and convincing evidence” that they're not a danger to themselves or others. This is time and money.
We are incredibly concerned with SB 1551 and the direct attack on the constitutionally protected rights of all Oregonians. In particular, we are troubled with the lack of due process afforded to individuals in this bill. Under SB 1551, any individual can have their second amendment rights taken away from them without knowing who is accusing them of being unsafe, or even when they have been accused. Under this bill, the burden is on gun owners to prove they are innocent – at their own time and expense – in order to restore their freedom to purchase a firearm. This is unconstitutional, and in our democratic republic, this type of legislation is unconscionable.
We believe Oregonians can do better than a secret system designed to strip away the rights of citizens unless they can prove their innocence. We can address gun violence and mental health issues without sacrificing the rights of the thousands of Oregonians who have been diagnosed with a mental health issue, the majority of whom are more likely to be the victim of a violent crime, rather than the perpetrator.
We need forward thinking, compassionate solutions that address the real causes of violent crime and create lasting, positive changes for Oregonians. SB 1551 will not achieve this. It will create an environment of fear where those who are struggling with difficult emotions are scared to get help, for fear that it could cost them their freedom. Meanwhile, violent criminals will continue to get guns the way they always have: on the black market.
We urge you to vote no on SB 1551. This is a direct attack on law abiding gun owners. It will do nothing to stop violent crime.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kendra
President
Portland State University – Students for Concealed Carry
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