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Spectators jammed a Feb. 6 hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee to debate a bill that would have expanded background checks on firearms purchases.

(Kobbi R. Blair/Salem Statesman-Journal/Associated Press)

A bill that would expand background checks for gun purchases in Oregon is now dead – but there is a last-minute attempt to pass another measure aimed at reducing gun violence.

Backers of expanding the background checks to include almost all non-family gun transfers conceded Thursday that they remain at least one vote short in the Senate.

However, Senate Judiciary Chairman Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, has mounted a late effort to push through legislation that takes a different approach to trying to keep guns out of the hands of potentially dangerous individuals.

Prozanski's measure – which hadn't been formally introduced as of Thursday evening -- would give judges more latitude to deny gun purchases to mentally ill people in outpatient programs. It would also ensure that local police and sheriffs are notified if someone tries to buy a gun and fails the background check.

Prozanski said he turned to these approaches after it became clear in the last few weeks that he couldn't win Senate support for expanding background checks.

"I heard from multiple people from all walks of life – Republicans, Democrats, gun owners, non-gun owners, that these are two things we should do," said Prozanski.

His new tack did attract some broader interest, particularly the provision involving the notification of local law enforcement. The National Rifle Association and other gun-rights supporters have long complained that few people who fail the background checks are rarely prosecuted for trying to illegally buy a gun.

However, several legislators from both parties were skeptical that anything could be worked out this late in the session. The Legislature could adjourn as early as Friday.

"The idea is great, but we just don't have the time to work it out," said Rep. Jeff Barker, D-Aloha, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee.

"At this point it seems likely we're running out of time," added Michael Gay, a spokesman for the Senate Republican caucus.

Gun laws have been a particularly volatile issue in the state Legislature since the mass shootings days apart in December of 2012 at Clackamas Town Center and at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

Gun-control supporters focused on what they thought was the most politically popular approach-- expanding the state's law on background checks for gun purchases.

Those checks – required for sales by federally licensed firearms dealers or at gun shows – are aimed at blocking purchases by felons or others prohibited from owning firearms. Senate Bill 1551 called for expanding the checks to include private, non-family transfers, whether conducted among neighbors or those who meet on the Internet.

The background-check bill never got out of the Senate during the 2013 session and it remained bottled up in committee this year as it faced united opposition from Republicans and from Sen. Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose.

Kevin Starrett, the director of the Oregon Firearms Federation, played a major role in spurring gun-rights activists to flood lawmakers with emails and phone calls opposing the bill.

"The pro-gun people absolutely overwhelmed the anti-gun people," he said of why the bill failed to get enough support in the Senate.

Starrett said he likes the idea of notifying local law enforcement officials if someone tries to illegally buy a gun. But he said additional safeguards need to be put in place to ensure the police don't go after people who fail the background check because of a mistake in the databases – something he said happens frequently.

And Starrett said expanding a judge's authority raises issues that need to be worked out.

"These are incredibly complicated issues and if you try to do it within the last 36 hours of the session, it's all politics," Starrett said. "It's not about good policy at all."

Jake Weigler, a political consultant working with the Oregon Alliance to Prevent Gun Violence and Ceasefire Oregon, said he hopes the Legislature can act on the new provisions before adjourning.

"We are very supportive of the Legislature taking positive steps that would reduce gun violence," he said.

Weigler said that his coalition will continue to push for expanded background checks and said activists will have a serious discussion after the session about whether it makes more sense to take the issue directly to voters in 2016.

-- Jeff Mapes