Oregon’s Overreach: What New Gun Control Means for Responsible Gun Owners

In yet another sweeping move against Second Amendment rights, the Oregon Senate recently passed a controversial gun control bill that takes aim at law-abiding gun owners rather than criminals. The new legislation, passed primarily along party lines, seeks to ban so-called “undetectable firearms” and firearm accessories like bump stocks—despite the fact that bump stocks are already illegal under federal law. As patriotic defenders of the Constitution, we at Fortress Firearms Training believe this ongoing erosion of gun rights highlights the need for greater education, training, and advocacy within the firearms community.

Understanding the Bump Stock Controversy

The renewed effort to restrict bump stocks in Oregon is puzzling to many gun owners. The ATF banned bump stocks nationwide in 2019 by reclassifying them as machine guns. So, what’s the purpose of a state-level ban now? To many, this is another example of redundant legislation that serves more as a political statement than a solution to crime.

Worse yet, the bill’s language doesn’t just stop at bump stocks. It includes restrictions on a wide range of accessories, particularly those perceived as increasing a firearm’s rate of fire—yet another ambiguous standard vulnerable to misuse. These generalized terms open the door to further regulation later on, even on basic firearm components.

Public Buildings Off-Limits: Another Layer of Infringement

In addition to targeting bump stocks and other firearm accessories, the bill also prohibits lawful concealed carry in public buildings such as schools, courthouses, and airports—unless the individual is a law enforcement or security officer. This should raise red flags for anyone who values self-defense and personal security, especially in a world where police response times vary and soft targets are increasingly vulnerable.

Supporters of the bill often cite safety concerns, but stripping away lawful carry rights in these spaces doesn’t make anyone safer—it just creates more potential victims. Criminals by nature don’t follow laws, and rarely do they stop to check if weapons are allowed before committing a violent act.

How This Affects South Carolina Gun Owners

While this legislation was passed in Oregon, gun owners in South Carolina and across the nation should be concerned. These types of restrictive laws tend to spread, especially when they gain traction in progressive state legislatures. The notion that banning accessories like bump stocks somehow stops mass shootings is a fallacy. Worse, it lays the groundwork for more comprehensive bans down the line.

We’ve seen this playbook before: Start with one accessory, then move on to magazines, types of ammunition, and eventually the firearms themselves. As conservative Americans and defenders of individual freedom, we must remain vigilant against these slow but persistent encroachments.

Why Firearms Training Matters More Than Ever

At Fortress Firearms Training, we believe that responsible gun ownership begins with proper education and training. While lawmakers in Oregon are busy passing redundant, constitutionally questionable laws, we’re focused on equipping citizens with the skills they need to be safe, confident, and legal gun owners.

Our courses help individuals understand:

• Firearms safety protocols
• Concealed carry laws and responsibilities
• Effective self-defense tactics
• Situational awareness and threat assessment

Educated and prepared gun owners are the country’s best defense against public violence—not more regulation.

The Real Impact: Targeting the Wrong People

Let’s be real—gun control legislation like Oregon’s doesn’t go after criminals. It targets law-abiding citizens who are exercising their constitutional rights. The Oregon Senate bill is riddled with ambiguous definitions and vague language, making it easier for gun owners to inadvertently break the law. That’s not justice. That’s overreach.

As the media applauds these moves as “common sense reform,” real Americans see it for what it is: a stepping stone to broader confiscation and federal overreach. We’re told it’s for our safety, but where’s the evidence that these types of measures actually reduce crime?

A Historical Reminder

It’s important to remember why the Second Amendment was included in the Bill of Rights—not for hunting, not for sport shooting, but to protect citizens from tyranny. The founding fathers recognized that an armed populace is essential for maintaining liberty.

Every time a state like Oregon chips away at that right, it brings all of us, including responsible gun owners in South Carolina, one step closer to losing the freedom we hold dear.

What Can You Do?

This is not the time to be silent. Here’s how you can take action:

• Stay informed—Know what legislation is being proposed not only in your state but across the country.
• Get trained—Proper firearms training makes you both safer and more credible as a gun owner.
• Join local and national advocacy groups—Organizations like the NRA, GOA, and your local training facilities can amplify your voice.
• Vote accordingly—Support candidates who defend the Second Amendment through action, not just lip service.

If you’re looking to sharpen your skills and take your firearms knowledge to the next level, check out Fortress Firearms Training. As a Fountain Inn firearms training center, we stand for the rights of gun owners and are committed to helping our community understand the responsibilities and privileges of the Second Amendment.

Conclusion: A Call to Defend Your Rights

The passage of the new Oregon Senate bill shows how determined some lawmakers are to restrict gun access under the guise of public safety. But stripping rights from law-abiding Americans while ignoring the root causes of violence does nothing to make our communities safer.

Stay vigilant. Stay informed. And most importantly—stay trained. Because the burden of protecting liberty rests not on lawmakers in distant capitols, but on the shoulders of everyday Americans who know the value of a free and armed society.