Rep. Skarlatos powerful testimony on M114 amendments

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

State Representative Alek Skarlatos, the Oregon National Guardsman who, back in 2015, assisted fellow US servicemen in preventing a terrorist attack in Paris, came out in opposition to HB 3075, which seeks to amend ballot measure 114.

Representative Skarlatos criticized the new $150 fee as discriminatory towards low-income individuals. He stated, “The $300 rifle is now $450, plus the background check fee.” He also noted that these individuals are more likely to use firearms for self-defense. Additionally, Skarlatos opposed the requirement for proof of qualification, arguing that it is unfair to older veterans. He highlighted the unrealistic 24-hour window for approval, saying, “The unique approval number is only available for 24 hours, which sets an unreasonable standard. If you apply and are not immediately approved, and the gun store secures approval right before they close for the weekend, you will have to start the entire process over.” Rep. Skarlatos, a former soldier with extensive knowledge of firearms, pointed out that the definition labeling a magazine with a capacity of 30 rounds as “high capacity” is inaccurate and emphasized that 30 rounds magazines are standard capacity. The final criticism that the representative was able to express before his time ran out was regarding the enactment date of December 8, 2022. He argued that this date would unfairly punish many Oregonians, including Skarlatos, for committing a Class A misdemeanor.

The representative closed his testimony with the following statement “I survived a terrorist attack on a gun-free continent. The terrorist had a fully automatic AK-47 and a handgun. If you’re going to commit mass murder, you’re not going to worry about committing a Class A misdemeanor along the way.”

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