Hot on the heels of a ballot initiative in Washington state, an anti-hunting group is pushing a similar ivory trading initiative in Oregon that could turn gun owners into criminals.
Backed by the devoutly anti-hunting Humane Society of the United States and other animal-rights groups, the statute—if put on the ballot and passed—could outlaw the buying and selling of highly collectible pistols with ivory grips in the state. Paul Allen, the billionaire owner of the Portland Trail Blazers and the Seattle Seahawks, has provided more than $1.7 million to get the initiative on the ballot in Washington, and is expected to back the Washington effort as well.
A measure with similar language was considered before the Oregon Legislature earlier this year. It passed the state Senate, but died in the House without a vote.
