Oregon’s new Attorney General, Dan Rayfield, announced that Oregon, along with 15 other states, is defending two federal rules aimed at reducing gun violence.
The first rule targets machine gun conversion devices MCDs, which allow firearms to become fully automatic, significantly increasing their firepower.
The second rule requires individuals selling firearms to conduct federal background checks, closing the gun show loophole.
The states are stepping in to defend these policies, particularly in light of the potential withdrawal of support from the incoming Trump administration.
Rayfield emphasized that gun safety is a top priority, pointing to Oregon’s consistent backing of measures to prevent gun violence.
The filing supports the Biden Administration’s efforts to crack down on MCDs, particularly Forced Reset Triggers FRTs, which can turn semiautomatic guns into automatic ones.
A recent ruling in Texas blocked the classification of FRTs as machine guns, but the appeal is pending. If the ruling stands, it could reverse progress in reducing gun violence.
The second rule, stemming from the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, mandates background checks for sellers engaged in the business of selling firearms.
This rule would close a gap in federal law, impacting an estimated 25,563 to 95,505 sellers who were previously unlicensed.
Rayfield’s announcement reflects Oregon’s commitment to gun safety, with support from states like Colorado, Connecticut, and New Jersey, among others.