Oregon Supreme Court shoots down gun control measure ballot title, suggests modifications

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Supreme Court voted against the proposed ballot title for an assault weapons ban ballot initiative Wednesday. The court referred it to the attorney general for modification.

The proposed measure, known as Initiative Petition 43, would outlaw sales of assault weapons (defined here) and magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. It would also require current owners of those items to register them within 120 days or face felony charges. They could also surrender it or render it permanently inoperable.

It would create a new Class B felony for “unlawful possession or transfer of an assault weapon or large capacity magazine” for any person who “manufactures, imports, possesses, purchases, sells or transfers any assault weapon or large capacity magazine.”

The only exceptions to the proposed initiative are government employees, armed forces members and peace officers acting within the scope of duty.