Guest Column: Measure 114 will hamper recreation and habitat conservation

Measure 114’s overly burdensome requirements will place unnecessary hurdles on families and hunters that have already taken gun safety training courses, resulting in lower participation, particularly for our youth and the next generation of hunters. Eliminating opportunities for well-trained, responsible recreationalists will take away much needed funding from conservation efforts, further harming delicate wildlife habitats.

Hunter safety training, offered for a fee by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and ODFW approved entities, is already required when applying for a hunting license for the first time or for hunters under the age of 18. Under Measure 114, trained and responsible gun owners will have to sign up and pay for an additional training course not yet even designed and endure long delays. We have heard from sheriff departments that the training course envisioned by this measure may not be logistically possible, which will result in long delays, and possibly, the end of all firearm sales. Additionally, this measure will eliminate the current three-day timeline to conduct background checks and could result in indefinite delays for firearm purchase approvals.

These uncertainties will limit hunter participation and reduce sales of hunting licenses, firearms, and ammunition, which will reduce conservation funding and cause a ripple effect that will impact wildlife and habitat management for decades.

The Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937, which created a tax on firearms and ammunition for conservation and hunter safety, generates over $1 billion annually for critical habitat restoration projects and hunter safety training through state agencies. In fact, sportsmen and sportswomen provide as much as 47% of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s budget annually. Measure 114 will reduce this vital conservation funding source and negatively impact resources available to ODFW for wildlife management and teaching responsible gun ownership.

There is no doubt that gun safety should remain a top priority, but Measure 114 is not the answer for Oregon. Should the measure pass, we look forward to working with the proponents and the Oregon State Legislature to find solutions and address unintended consequences. Let’s work together for responsible gun ownership, while maintaining access to family recreation opportunities and preserving critical funding that our wildlife need to survive.