Senate passes bill to ban rapid-fire accessories and let local governments restrict firearms at official meetings

The Oregon Senate passed Senate Bill 2 43 on final passage after lengthy floor debate, approving a measure that (1) bans “rapid fire activators” such as bump stocks, forced-reset triggers and other devices meant to increase a firearm’s rate of fire, and (2) allows local governing bodies to adopt policies restricting firearm possession in buildings they control where official meetings are held.

Supporters said the bill balances public-safety measures with constitutional rights. “Senate Bill 2 43 establishes the Community Safety Firearms Act,” Senator Broadman said when presenting the committee report, saying the measure “grants local control to certain governing entities to exercise the authority to restrict the possession of firearms in buildings where official meetings are held.”

Proponents emphasized the devices targeted by the ban have been tied to mass-casualty incidents. “Some tools designed to maximize casualty don't belong in civilian hands,” Senator…