Portland Mayor Tries to Impose New Gun Laws

OrgeonLive.com reported that Portland Mayor Sam Adams is attempting to follow other large city mayors by adopting strict new gun control laws, “that state lawmakers would not – or could not.” This has upped the ante in the war of words that is waging between Adams and local gun rights groups.

The mayor showed the same level of usual anti-gun zeal and ignorance on the issue as New York’s Michael Bloomberg and Chicago’s Richard Daley, suggesting it was the guns, not the criminals that were the problem. OregonLive.com quoted Adams:

“It’s amazing to me the denial around the connection between the inadequacy in our gun laws and gun crimes on the streets. The Legislature hasn’t connected these dots. The absence of meaningful gun law changes must end. I’m intent on changing that.”

 What is actually amazing is that yet another mayor blames rising crime on firearms, while many other communities aren’t seeing the problem. Wouldn’t greater enforcement of the laws be a better tactic? And how much is crime rising as Portland likely faces a budget crisis and has had to cut back on police and other services? Maybe these are the dots that really need to be connected.

Interesting the news outlet suggests we’re not alone in this argument. The news outlet notes, “Firearms advocates are quick to challenge proposals that limit guns, and some already are calling Adams’ efforts ‘laughable’ and a publicity stunt.” We would agree, but unfortunately this is no laughing matter for law-abiding gun owners, so we’re not laughing.