34 pro-gun legislators send letter to Oregon University System.
(SALEM, Ore.) - A group of Oregon legislators led by two outspoken Republicans, want to see students carry guns on public university campuses.
They have dispatched to Chancellor of the Oregon University System, George Pernsteiner what State Representative Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer, St. Paul, Newberg) calls a "sternly worded bi-partisan letter" signed by 34 legislators asking for the state’s public universities to review and revise their gun policies.
They say their efforts are tied to the early February arrest of a Western Oregon University student who chose to violate university rules by carrying guns to class. The student, a combat veteran Marine, had a concealed handgun license.
Thatcher says the letter reads in part, “we respectfully request you follow up on requests made earlier this year to change the policies at the Oregon University System to allow concealed handgun owners to carry firearms on campus as allowed by state law.”
She says, "Under state law (Oregon Revised Statues 166.170) only the Oregon Legislature can regulate firearms. In addition the law allows CHL holders to pack guns in most public buildings, including universities. (Oregon Revised Statutes 166.370)"
Thatcher and State Senator Brian Boquist (R-Dallas) who owns a military contracting or "mercenary" business in Salem, spearheaded the letter as a follow-up to a meeting they had with OUS officials in mid-February.
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"The University System promised to respond to concerns voiced by legislators four months ago but so far we have not received a satisfactory answer," Thatcher said.
She says the Chancellor sent a letter to these legislators in February stating, "for the sake of our campuses, I would like this confusion resolved swiftly."
Criminal charges against the WOU student in the February incident, Jeff Maxwell, were dropped but a university suspension remains in place.
The District Attorney involved in the case was quoted in a local newspaper (Statesman Journal Newspaper February 13th 2009) that, "even if a rule is established by the university, the state statute trumps any policy they might have."
Boquist says, "OUS has continued to flaunt Oregon law. For an education institute to take a position they are above the law is unacceptable."
Thatcher added, "the state law is very clear; we have several legal opinions saying OUS is out of bounds and should not be infringing on the rights of Oregon citizens with concealed handgun licenses. The university system needs to be held accountable and justify their actions."
She says today’s letter by the 34 lawmakers concluded with this:
"As a result of this delayed action, we understand there may be lawsuits under consideration against the University System. We would hate to see protracted litigation which would come at great expense to taxpayers. Instead we remain optimistic that the OUS will modify its policiesto bring them in line with state law and look forward to your plan of action. A response would be appreciated by June 30th."
Oregon Republicans Fight Hard to Bring Guns to University CampusesSalem-News.com