On Thursday’s broadcast of MS NOW’s “The Weeknight,” co-host Luke Russert discussed the recent mass shooting in Oregon and highlighted the state’s strict gun laws, specifically referencing Measure 114, a ballot initiative passed by referendum that established a permit-to-purchase system. According to Russert, the measure is “one of the more stricter gun laws in the country,” and he noted that Everytown for Gun Safety ranks Oregon as having the 12th strongest gun laws in the nation.
Russert made the remarks during an interview with Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-OR), who represents Oregon’s 5th Congressional District. He pointed out that the law is currently being challenged in court by what he described as “fringe groups” seeking to overturn it, despite what he said was strong public support. “This is something that fringe groups are trying to get rid of in the courts, but something that the citizenry of Oregon really wanted,” Russert said, according to a clip highlighted by Breitbart News.
Context of Gun Violence in Oregon
Russert also brought up a previous mass shooting in Bend, Oregon, which occurred not long ago, to underscore the state’s experience with gun violence. “Oregon’s been through this, and Oregon has responded, because this is something that too many parents have had to live with, too many people have had to live with in this state,” he said. He then asked Bynum to discuss how the state has responded and its efforts to “eradicate these types of things.”
Bynum responded by placing blame on opponents of gun control measures, saying they are “people who don’t want to face the music, and they’re okay with our children continuing to die.” Her comment reflects the heightened tensions in the ongoing debate over gun policy in Oregon and nationwide.
Measure 114 and Its Impact
Measure 114, which passed in 2022 with narrow support, requires a permit to purchase a firearm and bans high-capacity magazines. The law has faced multiple legal challenges, with a federal judge in 2023 ruling it unconstitutional before an appeals court allowed it to take effect temporarily while litigation continues. The measure’s permit-to-purchase provision mandates background checks, safety training, and fingerprinting for prospective gun buyers.
Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun control advocacy group, ranks Oregon’s gun laws as the 12th strongest in the country, a point Russert emphasized during the segment. The ranking takes into account measures such as background checks, permit requirements, and restrictions on certain firearms and accessories.
The shooting in Bend, Oregon, referenced by Russert, occurred in August 2022 at a Safeway supermarket, where a gunman killed two people and injured several others before taking his own life. The incident shocked the community and renewed calls for stricter gun regulations in the state.
Bynum, a first-term congresswoman, has been an advocate for gun violence prevention. In her response, she did not detail specific legislative actions but instead criticized those opposing such measures. Her office did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.
The segment on MS NOW, formerly known as MSNBC, is part of the network’s ongoing coverage of gun violence and policy debates across the country. Russert, a co-host of “The Weeknight,” frequently interviews lawmakers and newsmakers about pressing political issues.
As the legal battle over Measure 114 continues, the outcome could have significant implications for gun laws not only in Oregon but also for other states considering similar measures. The case is being watched closely by both gun rights advocates and gun control supporters.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2026/10/15/ms-nows-russert-oregon-has-one-of-the-more-strict-gun-laws-in-u-s/