I like to occasionally contact my Senators and local Representatives to pick their brains on topics regarding firearms. We need to hold them accountable to their political positions even when we know they are pretty far on the other side of the fence regarding 2A matters. Here is a response I received from Sen. Jeff Merkley pertaining to SBRs listed as NFA items:
Dear Jeff,
Thank you for contacting me to share your views on repealing safety measures related to short-barreled rifles in the National Firearms Act. I appreciate knowing your perspective and the opportunity to share mine.
Courts have weighed in on the constitutionality of the National Firearms Act since it was enacted in the 1930s, finding the weapons classifications valid. There is consensus among experts in law enforcement that deregulating a concealable weapon with a lethal range up to five times farther than that of a standard handgun puts people in danger, and especially for our police officers who are tasked with keeping communities safe.
As a native of rural Oregon, I recognize the importance of gun ownership for security, hunting, target shooting, and gun collecting. At the same time, we must, as a nation, take meaningful action to ensure that dangerous, concealable guns do not end up in the hands of criminals or those wishing to harm others.
Thank you, again, for contacting me. I appreciate hearing from Oregonians on issues that matter most to them.
All my best,
Jeffrey A. Merkley
United States Senator
Dear Jeff,
Thank you for contacting me to share your views on repealing safety measures related to short-barreled rifles in the National Firearms Act. I appreciate knowing your perspective and the opportunity to share mine.
Courts have weighed in on the constitutionality of the National Firearms Act since it was enacted in the 1930s, finding the weapons classifications valid. There is consensus among experts in law enforcement that deregulating a concealable weapon with a lethal range up to five times farther than that of a standard handgun puts people in danger, and especially for our police officers who are tasked with keeping communities safe.
As a native of rural Oregon, I recognize the importance of gun ownership for security, hunting, target shooting, and gun collecting. At the same time, we must, as a nation, take meaningful action to ensure that dangerous, concealable guns do not end up in the hands of criminals or those wishing to harm others.
Thank you, again, for contacting me. I appreciate hearing from Oregonians on issues that matter most to them.
All my best,
Jeffrey A. Merkley
United States Senator