MS NOW host Luke Russert highlights Oregon's strict gun laws after Bend shooting
On Thursday, October 15, 2026, MS NOW’s The Weeknight hosted Luke Russert as he addressed the recent mass shooting in Bend, Oregon, and reiterated that the state maintains one of the stricter gun‑law frameworks in the nation.
“Oregon passed something by referendum called Measure 114 — which I know you’re familiar with — which is one of the more stricter gun laws in the country. Everytown, USA ranks Oregon as the 12th strongest gun laws in the country, permit‑to‑purchase system. And this is something that fringe groups are trying to get rid of in the courts, but something that the citizenry of Oregon really wanted,” Russert said.
Representative Janelle Bynum, a Democrat from Oregon, responded by blaming “people who don’t want to face the music, and they’re okay with our children continuing to die,” emphasizing public frustration over gun violence.
In a separate MS NOW interview the following day, guest host Eugene Daniels spoke with Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang about the state’s broader safety measures. Chang noted that the county has forged a “healthy schools partnership” with the Bend‑La Pine School District, providing school‑based health centers and employing behavioral‑health clinicians. He also highlighted Oregon’s active use of extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) under the red‑flag law, stating that the state leads the nation in per‑capita ERPO usage and promotes community gun‑storage programs.
“Our community makes some of the most active use of extreme risk protection orders under Oregon’s red‑flag law… We have very active programs to support our community in safely storing their guns, getting access to gun locks,” Chang explained.
Further commentary from NBC’s Yasmin Vossoughian reinforced the narrative of strong regulation, noting that the Bend‑La Pine School District had gone beyond state law by banning concealed carry on its property. Vossoughian questioned whether the shooter’s death at the hands of an armed “good guy” would reignite debates on gun restrictions.
Overall, the series of interviews highlighted Oregon’s multi‑layered approach to firearms regulation—including the voter‑approved Measure 114, permit‑to‑purchase requirements, red‑flag provisions, and local school policies—while also acknowledging ongoing legal challenges from groups seeking to overturn these measures.
