Oregon bill aims to crack down on paramilitary activity

Oregon lawmakers are considering legislation that would give the state some of the strongest laws in the country to combat paramilitary activity and violent extremism.

During a hearing in Salem on Monday, the House Judiciary Committee heard testimony on House Bill 2572. The legislation attempts to uphold constitutional protections such as the right to protest and carry firearms while more actively protecting public safety. If the bill were to pass, Oregon would have the most updated, comprehensive, and arguably most effective law in the country to address private paramilitaries.

“House Bill 2572 would make it harder for private paramilitaries to operate with impunity through Oregon, regardless of their ideology,” said Rep. Dacia Grayber, a Democrat who represents southwest Portland and Beaverton and is the chief sponsor of the legislation. “I do believe that this bill has the potential to create a relief valve ahead of what could be an increasingly violent political election cycle and keep our state from descending into further cycles of violence and chaos.”

The bill does not contain additional restrictions on firearms.

“This is not a gun bill,” Grayber said. “This does not infringe on the rights of individuals to open carry, nor does it limit your Second Amendment rights.”