01/27/1986 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e Replying to questions from Mr. Miller, Mr. Sercombe said the proposed regulations do not permit a person to carry a loaded or concealed weapon without a permit unless the person complies with one of the exemptions in the ordinance. Permits are issued by the Sheriff's Department under State laws. Mr. Hansen opened the public hearing. Murry Brooks, 2110 West 20th, is Executive Secretary of the Wi11amette Valley Arms Collectors Association. He said the proposed ordinance was not available to the public in time to be reviewed by concerned citizens. A friend of his spent three hours on Friday, January 24, getting a copy of the ordinances. There was very little time to get legal advice. Mr. Brooks said State regulations define deadly weapons and dangerous weapons. He said firearms are defined as deadly weapons by the State, but they are defined as dangerous weapons in the Eugene ordinance. He was concerned about vagueness in the proposed ordinance. He said an arrest by a Eugene police officer based on an opinion of the Oregon Attorney General was recently thrown out of court because of vagueness. He said the case may be appealed by the State, but court action is expensive. Mr. Brooks said the affirmative defense provisions of the proposed ordinance do not exempt the holder of a permit for a concealed weapon. The person could be arrested. He discussed how difficult it is to get a permit for a concealed weapon. He said many citizens do not know of the proposed regulations and have not had an opportunity to review them. He asked the council to table consideration of the ordinance. Fred Schuster, 2460 Willamette, asked the council to postpone consideration of the ordinance so it can be studied. Wayne Goddard, 473 Durham, makes hunting and other knives for a living. He sald a concealed hunting knife is classified in the proposed regulations as a deadly weapon. He said the regulation is silly. He represented the Oregon Knife Collectors Association of 150 members. He said association members should review the ordinance. He said the ordinance contains some antique terms. He reconmended the book ti tl ed "Kni ves and the Law" by James R. Nielson. He asked the council to allow time for input from interested groups. William sugrs, 480 East 41st, is a member of the NRA and the Board of Directors 0 the Oregon Rifle and Pistol Association. He said the ordinance was available for public review only a few days before the hearing, and it was difficult to get copies of the ordinance for the NRA to review. However, the amended sections of the ordinance address some of the NRA concerns. Mr. Suggs said he coaches some members of the United States National Shooting Team. His vehicle has no trunk, and members of the team might be arrested while going to practice if the proposed regulations are adopted. MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 27, 1986 Page 12