Date: 01/16/2013 09:29 AM
OR–2nd NewsMinute/338
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – An Oregon sheriff has written Vice President Joe Biden to say his department won’t enforce any new gun laws it considers unconstitutional. In his letter, Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller said politicians are “attempting to exploit the deaths of innocent victims” by supporting laws that would harm law-abiding Americans. Mueller says he took an oath to support the Constitution, and laws preventing citizens from owning certain semi-automatic firearms and ammunition magazines would violate their rights.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Oregon legislative leaders are so far taking a dim view on the prospects for gun-control legislation this year. Democratic House Speaker Tina Kotek says she hasn’t seen a specific proposal that’s likely to have enough support to pass the Legislature, but she says it’s impossible to predict what will happen. Republican leaders in the House and Senate say they’re not interested in strict gun restrictions like the sweeping limits enacted this week in New York. Gov. John Kitzhaber says he supports banning guns in schools and sees no reason not to restrict access to assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines.
BEAVERTON, Ore. (AP) – Police say a young man found dead on a road last night in Beaverton was a hit-and-run victim. He’s identified as 18-year-old Harley Rocher of Aloha. Police say they don’t have any information on the vehicle that hit him.
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – A former Bend real estate agent and her husband have entered guilty pleas in a federal fraud case after a judge rejected their planned defense just as their trial was about to begin. The pleas entered yesterday in Eugene by Tami and Kevin Sawyer resolved a case in which federal prosecutors alleged the Sawyers promised high rates of return to investors but instead spent millions on themselves. KTVZ-TV reports that Tami Sawyer entered modified guilty pleas to all 21 charges against her. Kevin Sawyer is a former Bend police lieutenant. He pleaded guilty to one count.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
