SALEM -- A bill to require background checks for private gun sales in Oregon is headed to the House floor.
Senate Bill 941 passed the House Rules committee in a party-line vote Thursday. It will now face its final hurdle on the House floor before heading to Gov. Kate Brown's desk.
The vote came a day after a 7.5-hour public hearing at the Capitol, for which 89 people showed up to testify.
Democrats failed to pass background check bills in the last two legislative sessions. Now, they have enough votes in the House to push it through without Republican support.
In response, pro-gun groups are circulating recall petitions for three Democratic lawmakers: House Majority Leader Val Hoyle, D-Eugene; Sen. Chuck Riley, D-Hillsboro; and Rep. Susan McLain, D-Forest Grove.
The bill could reach the House floor as early as next week.
-- Ian K. Kullgren
503-294-4006; @IanKullgren