Why It Matters: Oregon’s law-abiding hunters and shooters have long played a vital role in funding conservation and wildlife management efforts throughout the state. Under the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF), a unique “user pays – public benefits” structure, Oregon’s sportsmen and women generate tens of millions of dollars each year for the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. These funds are generated through license sales and a 10-11% federal excise tax on sporting-related goods, including firearm purchases. If passed, Measure 114, would impact conservation funding in the state by decreasing the tax revenue available for wildlife management and conservation.
Highlights:
- The Sportsmen Opposed to Gun Violence, a growing coalition of nearly 20 national and state organizations, is gaining momentum in Oregon and recently launched a radio and digital ad campaign to inform voters about the impacts the measure will have if passed.
- If passed, Measure 114 would ban standard capacity magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds and would require an exhaustive permitting process to purchase a firearm. The measure also has the potential to shut down the sale of all firearms, and ultimately the critical conservation funding their sales provides through the Pittman-Robertson Act.
- The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and Oregon Hunters Association are leading the sportsmen’s opposition to Measure 114, with the fate of the measure to be determined by voters in November.
The sportsmen’s community is banding together to push back against Oregon’s ballot Measure 114 and has gained momentum in their effort to inform voters about the severe impacts the initiative will have on recreational shooting, hunting, and conservation funding. The growing coalition, Sportsmen Opposed to Gun Violence, now has nearly 20 organizations that have all committed to protecting Oregon’s conservation funding and the state’s rich outdoor heritage. Last week, the coalition launched a digital ad campaign to ensure that sportsmen and women across the state know of the devastating effects that Measure 114 would have if passed, and will also be launching radio ads this week.
Measure 114, if passed, would ban standard capacity magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds and would establish an exhaustive permit process to purchase a firearm. In order to obtain the permit, Oregon’s hunters and recreational shooters would be required to take a yet-to-be-established firearm training course that is offered by law enforcement or law enforcement certified instructors. Without a permitting system or in-person training course established, and without funding to implement these requirements, Measure 114 will likely shut down all gun sales in Oregon. Even once established, the lengthy permitting process and training requirements will place additional burdens and costs on new hunters and shooters, raising concerns about the impact it will have on R3 efforts and future hunter participation numbers.
Joining the fight to protect outdoor recreation in Oregon, the sportsmen’s coalition is comprised of the following organizations: Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Oregon Hunters Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Sportsmen’s Alliance, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Safari Club International, Mule Deer Foundation, Dallas Safari Club, National Deer Association, Oregon United Sporting Dogs Association, Oregon Trappers Association, Hunting Works for Oregon, National Trappers Association, Furtakers of America, Oregon Angler Alliance, Oregon Outdoor Council, and Oregon Wild Sheep Foundation. The coalition has also received support from numerous other financial supporters and Pac/West is donating their services to manage the campaign as an in-kind contribution. More information on the coalition and the initiative can be found at www.SportsmenNo114.org.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
