Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt today testified in support of three gun violence prevention bills (HB 2005, HB 2006, and HB 2007), with a particular focus on HB 2005’s provisions relating to ghost guns and 3D-printed firearms. Ghost guns are unserialized and untraceable firearms that can be bought online and assembled at home. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms estimates that the presence of ghost guns has increased by 1,000% since 2017.

“Increasing gun violence is one of the most significant challenges to public safety and health facing Oregonians today. In fact, according to the CDC, firearms were the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of one and 19 in 2020. 

“In Oregon, we have worked hard to create a balanced system of background checks that allow for responsible gun ownership while keeping guns out of the hands of those convicted of serious criminal activity. 

“However, off-market firearms – like ghost guns and 3D-printed guns – circumvent these checks, exposing all of us, especially our crime victims and frontline law enforcement, to diminished public safety. I’m pleased to support this crucial legislation to further our continuing work in preventing gun violence and keeping our communities safe.”

More information is available on the Oregon Legislature’s website. 

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