With Republicans in opposition, the Oregon Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday moved four gun bills -- including one to expand background checks for firearm purchases -- to the full Senate.

The action came just one day after the U.S. Senate defeated legislation

to cover a wider range of firearm transactions.

Currently, Oregon law requires that background checks be required for gun sales by federally licensed dealers and at gun shows.

would require a background check for all private sales and transfers, except for those among family members.

In addition, the committee approved three other bills putting new restrictions on concealed handgun licensees. They are:

Senate Bill 347

Senate Bill 699

Senate Bill 796

All four bills were passed on a 3-2 vote, with Democratic Sens. Floyd Prozanski of Eugene, Jackie Dingfelder of Portland and Arnie Roblan of Coos Bay in favor and Republican Sens. Jeff Kruse of Roseburg and Betsy Close of Albany opposed.

UPDATE: The Associated Press reports that Sen. Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose, will oppose all four bills. That means Prozanski and other backers will have have to get at least one Republican vote to win Senate passage of the measures.



--Jeff Mapes