clackgunpass

In this Dec. 9, 2013, file photo, firearms evidence is on display during a news conference in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/The Oregonian, file)

Clackamas County commissioners passed a resolution supporting Second-Amendment gun rights Thursday night, Feb. 19, joining several other Oregon counties that had already taken similar action.

Commissioners Tootie Smith, Paul Savas and Chair John Ludlow voted in favor of the resolution; Martha Schrader abstained. Jim Bernard had an excused absence from Thursday's business meeting, but previously indicated he would have voted in favor of the resolution given the opportunity.

Smith said that by abstaining, Schrader was really voting against Second-Amendment rights.

"I don't think you can hide behind an abstention," Smith said.

The meeting ended earlier, but drew even more people, than commissioners anticipated. The overflow room adjacent to the main hearing room breached capacity. Overall, more people spoke in favor of the resolution than against it.

The resolution has no legal impact; it simply makes Second-Amendment rights a public priority for the county. While state law allows for counties and cities to enact their own gun-control ordinances, these must still comply with state regulations.

Here are some tweets from the meeting. We'll follow up with a more detailed story Friday.

Public hearing about to start for resolution supporting 2nd-amendment rights in Clackamas County. Hearing room is full. — ClackamasCountyNews (@ClackCoReporter) February 20, 2015

Commissioner Tootie Smith: "I brought this forward because I feel that Clackamas County is very much a second amendment county." — ClackamasCountyNews (@ClackCoReporter) February 20, 2015

Smith: Of more than 500 emails commissioners received about 2nd amendment resolution, only 54 opposed — ClackamasCountyNews (@ClackCoReporter) February 20, 2015

Schrader and Ludlow are arguing about whether or not the resolution is based on a template created by the Oregon Firearms Federation — ClackamasCountyNews (@ClackCoReporter) February 20, 2015

Kevin Starrett, director of Oregon Firearms Fed.: "To imply Oregon Firearms Federation is the puppetmaster behind this is just ridiculous.” — ClackamasCountyNews (@ClackCoReporter) February 20, 2015

Rosie Stephens, chair of ClackCo Democrats: The resolution "seems to be unnecessary and looks like you are jumping the gun, no pun intended” — ClackamasCountyNews (@ClackCoReporter) February 20, 2015

So far, people have not named OR bills in session that violate 2nd amendment rights, but many say they're worried about "gut & stuff." — ClackamasCountyNews (@ClackCoReporter) February 20, 2015

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