After a narrow victory in the 2022 midterm elections, the implementation of Measure 114, a bill adding new restrictions to firearms permits and restricting sale of high-capacity magazines, has been blocked by an Oregon judge. 

Measure 114 passed by a razor-thin margin of 1.3 percent in the November midterm elections, and a legal battle over the law’s constitutionality was expected in the coming weeks after its passing.

“The court cannot sustain restraint on constitutional right on mere speculation that the restriction could promote public safety,” Harney County Judge Robert Raschio stated during a December ruling. 

Measure 114 explicitly states that manufacturing, importing, purchasing, selling, possessing, using or transferring ammunition magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds are classified as a Class A misdemeanor. For many groups this is considered to be a violation of the Second Amendment, or the right to bear arms. This contentious wording of Measure 114 remains the largest area of concern for many gun rights activists and groups. 

Measure 114’s future hangs on the thread of ongoing court battles, but the temporary restraining order will hold off any action to enforce the law. The possibility of a higher court intervening on Judge Raschio’s decision is possible, but this would only open the door for even more appeals to higher courts.