ACTIVE FIREARMS SAFETY PROGRAM across Oregon   www.ossa.org/safety-wellness
Driving AWARENESS firearms suicide problem   

• 4 of 5 suicides are with firearms
• 46% of Children suicides are with firearms (1)

TRAINING firearms club members and others  -   Video
Connecting County OHA and Firearms Clubs  (15 in process, thus far)

• Providing Suicide Preventing training (QPR) for members and public

Support Bills Enabling Suicide Prevention:   

• HB3426  HB2757  HB 3118  HB 3513   SB514   SB 818

(1)   https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/DHSForms/Served/le8874_2021.pd

Drivers Of Violence    -    Avenues for REAL Solutions

Addiction   -      Oregon is #2 in US   But  #50 in Support (1)
·Repeal measures legalizing addiction in Oregon.
·Enforce laws and require treatment to help citizens affected.
·Create programs address addiction outreach in our communities.
Support  HB 2603  HB2831,  HB2973
 

Mental Illness   -      27% of Adults – 20% of Children (2)
·Enhance and Fund Programs for Engagement / Treatment
·Help People before they turn to violent crime. 
Support SB820, HB2176, HB2640, HB2641,HB2643, HB2646
 

Lack of Law Enforcement Community Engagement   
​         -      Portland Study –   70% are known by Law Enforcement (3)
·Support/fund Law Enforcement Academies - create more officers, first responders, and programs to help.
·Engage high risk groups with programs to reduce crime (ref. 2022 Portland study)
Support   SB17,  and develop more to support law enforcement
 

Current Laws Not Enforced   -      Drive reduction of repeat offenders.
 ·Resource judicial (public defenders) to prevent forced release.
·Resource detention facilities to prevent instant release.
·Support meaningful rehabilitation programs.
Support   SB17,  and develop more to drive accountability and rehabilitation
 
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Mental Illness – Suicide      ~70 Suicides per month (4)
 ·Enable and fund OHA for community suicide prevention.
·Continue/expand cable lock / storage programs.
·Enable measures for “Time and Distance” trusted storage solutions, child education.
Support HB3426  HB2757  HB 3118  HB 3513   SB514   SB 818·

(1)https://www.oregonrecovers.org/(2)https://www.wweek.com/news/courts/2022/10/17/oregon-ranks-worst-in-nation-for-prevalence-of-mental-illness/ (3)https://www.portland.gov/sites/default/files/2022/2022-pdx-problem-analysis-public-version.pdf  (4)https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/preventionwellness/safeliving/suicideprevention/documents/monthly_suicide-related_data_report.pdf

Focusing on the root causes of violent crime is key to reducing its occurrence and impact on our community.    We need to ask ourselves and our legislature to stay focused on real solutions for violent crime. 

• Mental Illness engagement and treatment
• Increase Law enforcement capabilities, especially in high crime areas
• Enforce current laws - eliminate repeat offenders

A recent Oregonian article pointed out the 100+ murders in the Portland city over the last year.   Portland is the large contributor to the stats, but lets keep our focus for all of Oregon.   Keeping close tabs on the stories one finds disturbing trends that if recognized, can be addressed with real solutions to make our communities safer.

If one keeps close tabs on the articles describing the details on arrests made in Oregon violent crime.   Almost without exception, prior offenses or conditions known by law enforcement or those close to the offender are noted.   Examples like a felon in possession of a firearm,  repeated assault charges, and more. 

Where are the REAL solutions found?

Mental Illness:

• Our new Governor is spot on to highlight this as a key issue for Oregon.  Applying our States dollars and legislative efforts here will help those in need of mental treatment to ensure safety of themselves, their loved ones, and their communities.

Increase Law enforcement capabilities, especially in high crime areas:

• Law enforcement shortages are at critical levels.  Portland is short 100 officers alone.   This means there are not enough officers for first response.  This means there is not enough presence in the community to drive crime off our streets.    The Police Academy can not produce the number of new officers needed.  The departments can not hire applicants due to funding and other deficiencies.     
• The study commissioned by the City of Portland in the summer of 2022 was very clear - engage crime in the communities, address the crime groups where 70% of crime happens.

Enforce current laws - eliminate repeat offenders:

• If one keeps close tabs on the articles describing the details on arrests made in Oregon violent crime.   Almost without exception, prior offenses or conditions known by law enforcement or those close to the offender are noted.   Examples like a felon in possession of a firearm,  repeated assault charges, and more.   
  
• Our local judicial systems need to be given the resources to address the offenders.   Today, for example, offenders are processed out due to lack of public defenders available, only to repeat their offences for another round.   In addition, not applying effective sentencing, especially on firearms offences, only encourages repeat offences.

Make sure your Legislators know that if they want real solutions they need to focus on:

• Mental Illness engagement and treatment
• Increase Law enforcement capabilities, especially in high crime areas
• Enforce current laws - eliminate repeat offenders

As of May 9th, only 10% of votes are in for the upcoming May 17, 2022, election.  Whether you are democrat, republican, independent or other, MAKE YOUR CHOICE.
Review the candidate ratings available here (https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/oregon) to help you understand the best info available on your candidates.   

For those in primaries, this is your chance to ensure a pro 2nd amendment candidate is in the running for the Nov. election.  


Make your Choice!   -    VOTE!
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