‘Be Gun Smart….Whether or Not You Own a Firearm’ program opens discussions around gun laws, gun disposal and gun safety

Ashland.news staff report

In November 2022, Oregon voters narrowly passed Measure 114, a groundbreaking gun control law that has never taken effect. Mired in series of court challenges, it may be years before the law’s fate is settled. But there is plenty to talk about before the litigation runs its course.

“Be Gun Smart… Whether or Not You Own a Firearm” is a free public program set for 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, in the Gresham Room at the Ashland Public Library, 410 Siskiyou Blvd. Part of the “Big Ideas” program series, it is presented by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Ashland Branch and Jackson County Library Services.

The speakers will be Ashland Police Chief Tighe O’Meara and Jackson County Sheriff Nate Sickler. They will discuss a number of issues including the current local, state, and federal laws surrounding guns, how to dispose of unwanted firearms, and community and agency responses to school threats.

Chief O’Meara joined the Ashland Police Department in 2010 and has served as a patrol sergeant, detective sergeant and as the deputy chief over both the Operations and Support divisions. He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police and the Police Executive Research Forum. A native of Detroit, he holds a Master’s Degree in Management from Southern Oregon University. 

Sheriff Sickler moved to the Rogue Valley in 1995 to attend Southern Oregon University. He earned a Criminology degree in 1999 and began a career in law enforcement. He has served in both city and county law enforcement agencies and held positions in patrol, detectives and administration prior to being appointed Sheriff in 2017. Since then he was elected to the position twice by voters. Sheriff Sickler has been a firearms instructor for the past 24 years and was involved in competitive shooting for many years. 

Any questions many be directed to AAUW Big Ideas coordinator Marilyn Hawkins, 541-708-6697, [email protected]; or Ellie Anderson, Ashland Library, 541-774-6896, [email protected].

Source: AAUW and Ashland Public Library news release. Email Ashland.news at [email protected].