Oregon bans firearms for domestic abusers

Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Oregon's legislature on Thursday passed a bill to close a loophole that allowed some people convicted of stalking or domestic abuse from owning firearms.

House Bill 4145 closes what was sometimes referred to as the "boyfriend loophole" or the "intimate partner loophole." Current law in Oregon allows people convicted of stalking or domestic abuse to buy firearms if they were never married to or lived with their victim. This bill expands the firearms ban to all people convicted of the two crimes.

The bill passed the state senate 16-13 with one Democrat and all Republicans voting against it, the Oregonian reported.

Democratic Gov. Kate Brown said she will sign the bill into law.

"Closing the 'Intimate Partner Loophole' is an important step to keep Oregonians safer, and to keep guns out of the wrong hands. Passing this bill was a priority for me this session, but we know there's more that must be done," Brown said in a statement.

The legislation was the first state gun control bill passed since the school shooting in Parkland, Fla. last week that saw 17 people killed. Brown said more legislation on the federal level needs to be enacted to prevent mas shootings in the United States.

"Now's the time to enact real change, and I'm encouraged to see students in Oregon and across the nation engaged and joining the call for gun safety legislation," Brown said. "It's long past time we hold the White House, Congress, and legislators accountable."