The gun policy in our state and nationwide has failed us. It has failed our students, our teachers, our parents, and ever else for that matter. I remember a time when I didn't have to worry about my seat in a class if a school shooter came in one day. While yes this is statistically unlikely for any student to experience a tragic event like this it is much more common here than in any other nation. So I want to focus on past gun policy that has been implemented constitutionally as well as new solutions we never have thought of at the time while respecting the 2nd amendment. Now, a significant majority of Americans want common-sense gun reform. But the NRA, now a full-fledged, corrupt political organization, spends millions on TV and internet ads attacking candidates who dare to stand up for what voters want. 

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So here's how can we be safe:

• Provide safety training and continued education for all licensed firearm owners as well as including de-escalation training.

• Crackdown on “straw purchases” where people buy guns for criminals.

• Capping bulk firearms purchases. About one out of four firearms recovered at the scene of the crime was part of a bulk purchase. We should limit the number of guns that can be purchased to one per month, similar to a Virginia law that successfully reduced the likelihood of Virginia-bought guns being used in criminal activity.

• Empower judicial removal of firearms possession rights from convicted domestic violence offenders. There is a strong correlation between past domestic violence and the most heinous mass shootings.

• Fully fund the modernization and optimization of existing background check systems and become the blueprint for a national system that we need today.

• Require de-escalation training further for all law enforcement professionals and new licensed firearm owners.

• Pressure the federal government for a red flag measure that allows family or community members to petition a court for the temporary removal of up to 60 days of firearms from a person who may present a danger to themselves or others as well as expanding Oregon's current program.

• Ban bump stocks and eliminate hellfire switches from all firearms permits.

• Fully fund a state-run optional buyback program that makes selling firearms back as smooth and fair as possible.

• Take on the NRA and its corrupting effects.

• Ban the production of ghost guns, with the creation of 3-D printing of firearms no one, should make a 3-D printed gun that can not be detected via a metal detector.

• Start a committee on whether or not a state ban on the sale and distribution of assault rifles would be effective. Assault rifles are designed and sold as tools of war. However, if all this ban does is just harm Oregon businesses then there is no point.

• Regulating firearms for consumer safety. Today there are no federal safety standards for firearms produced in the United States. We can recall unsafe products from trampolines to children’s pajamas — but not defective guns. We need to pressure the federal government to repeal the provision of law that prevents the Consumer Product Safety Commission from regulating the safety of firearms and their accessories.