Who we are

The Alliance for a Safe Oregon connects people from across the state — including survivors of gun-related tragedies, gun owners, rural and urban residents, veterans, doctors and nurses, first responders, and local community members and leaders — in a collective effort to create safer communities for everyone.

Gun-related tragedies are preventable, but only if we all work together to stop them.

In a state where firearms are in about 50% of households and an important part of many families’ lives, we believe it’s possible to respect firearm ownership while also improving community health and safety for the long term.

That means learning from people across Oregon to understand how gun-related homicides, suicides, injuries, and unintentional shootings affect their lives so we can find ways to stop these events before they happen. It means listening to firearm owners who take the responsibility of ownership seriously and can encourage others to do the same. It means working with Black and Brown community leaders to prevent violence before it occurs, and prioritizes community safety and healing.

Together, we can help make progress toward solutions and policies that will prevent not only gun-related tragedies, but also the fear, pain, and ongoing stress they can cause in our communities.

Our Impact

Together, we are saving lives and strengthening communities
20%
Reduction in shootings in the Portland area
1,753
Background checks that prevented prohibited sales
1,000
Number of lives permitting would save over 10 years
10%
Lower chance of mass shootings in Oregon
100
Suicides prevented through temporary removal of firearms
20,000+
Oregonians across the state coming together

Our History

2013

1

The Alliance is founded, originally led entirely by volunteers.

2015

2

The Alliance focuses first on requiring background checks for all gun sales, including private sales and gun shows.

2017

3

Working alongside domestic violence leaders, the Alliance helps pass HB 2013, requiring convicted domestic abusers and convicted stalkers to relinquish their guns.

2019

4

Oregonians come together to bring forward a new law that allows firearms to be temporarily removed for suicide prevention.

2019

5

Oregon's Extreme Risk Protection Order law, SB 719, also allows temporary removal of firearm when imminent risk of harm is identified.

2020

6

Oregon passes the Statewide School Safety and Prevention System SB 584.

2020

7

SB 584 requires schools to work to help school-age kids who are contemplating suicide or a potential risk for violence to others.

2021

8

Oregon passes SB 554, which requires firearms to be stored securely in order to prevent unauthorized access, especially by kids.

2022

9

Oregonians come together to bring Measure 114 to the ballot, which will finally close Oregon's 48 hour background check loophole.

2023

10

The state funds Community Violence Prevention, in response to the drastic increase in homicides in the Portland area. The Alliance transitions from volunteer led to building a fully staffed movement across the state.

2024

11

The legislature creates a bi-partisan taskforce to address Oregon's firearm suicide crisis.

The Alliance partners with firearm owners and doctors and healthcare clinics in rural Oregon.