Felon in possession of a firearm

Oregon House Bill 4096 aimed to create a new crime called aggravated felon in possession of a firearm. This would apply to individuals with felony convictions who possess three or more firearms or have specific prior convictions. The proposed punishment for this crime could be up to 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.

Supporters of the bill argued that it would enhance public safety by keeping firearms out of the hands of individuals with serious criminal backgrounds. They believed that stricter penalties for those who repeatedly violate firearm possession laws would help reduce gun violence in communities.

Critics of the bill contended that it could disproportionately impact marginalized communities and that it may not effectively address the root causes of gun violence. They argued that the legislation could lead to over-incarceration without significantly improving public safety.