Oregon War Veterans Blog

OWVA Prepares to Litigate Against Western Oregon University

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more Information: Nellie deVries (541) 601-7272

Salem, Oregon—Today, the Oregon War Veterans Association (OWVA) publicly announced its decision to file a lawsuit against Western Oregon University (WOU) for its violation of the Second Amendment right to carry a gun and its decision to expel veteran Marine, Jeff Maxwell.  The university suspended Maxwell for a year upon discovering he carried a concealed handgun onto campus.

In addition to his unlawful discipline, WOU humiliated the 30 year old, veteran Marine by mandating that he receive psychiatric evaluation and write a ten page paper on civil obedience before his readmission into the university.

Greg Warnock, the Executive Director of OWVA, believes that state leaders must acknowledge this injustice. “Attorney General John Kroger, a marine veteran, raised his right hand and swore to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America,” said Warnock.  “His sworn pledge does not include protections for the administrative rules of Western Oregon University.  OWVA thinks it would be wise for the Attorney General to intervene in this complex situation and advise Western Oregon University to correct its wrongdoing and apologize to Maxwell.”

“This issue is not only about protecting constitutional gun rights,” Warnock.  “It’s also about protecting a veteran marine from an unjust suspension.”  Maxwell is a competent gun owner, with a license (CHL) to carry a concealed handgun.  According to Oregon Statutes, all legal CHL holders are authorized to carry a concealed weapon in all areas, even capitol buildings, unless there is a physical posting outside the entrance to the facility or building specifically banning weapons.  OWVA’s legal counsel is preparing to file a law suit against WOU, on behalf of Jeff Maxwell.

OWVA firmly expects Western Oregon University to reverse its decision to suspend Maxwell, restore his lost academic credits, present an apology to the Marine for the humiliation this ordeal caused, and develop a sound policy that protects his right to carry a concealed handgun, in accordance with the law.  On these things, “we will not waiver,” said Warnock to members of the media earlier today.

###

Oregon War Veterans Association Announces 2009 Legislative Agenda

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more Information: Nellie deVries (541) 601-7272

Salem, Oregon—The Oregon War Veterans Association today announced a broad legislative agenda for 2009.  Greg Warnock, executive director of the association, says he is “looking forward to bipartisan support from the Legislative Assembly on a number of key issues that impact the lives of Oregon’s veterans.”

Among the association’s goals are to:

• Provide needed aid to our troops and their families during this ongoing economic downturn;

• Protect tax exemptions for military pay;

• Improve veterans’ access to and utilization of higher education in Oregon;

• Increase veterans’ access to long-term care;

• Increase the funding of and expand accessibility to the Oregon National Guard Youth Challenge Program to help save at-risk teens from drugs and crime;

• Promote health care provider participation in the TRICARE system; and,

• Protect the right of active duty and honorably discharged veterans to keep and bear arms, even as new anti-gun legislation circulates our nation’s capitol;

Warnock stressed that, while the state considers budget cuts across all departments, veterans’ services are more vital today than ever before.  “We must not forget that tough economic times hit veterans even harder,” Warnock said.  “Our troops do the hardest job imaginable in far-off lands, while facing an ever growing struggle to make ends meet at home.  Many have been called to active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, sacrificing their careers to serve their country, even as their family members are losing jobs right here in Oregon.  Now is the time for Oregon to do more, not less.”

“Oregon War Veterans Association is heading in the right direction,” said Senator Brian Boquist (R-Dallas). “I’m confident that they will receive bipartisan support from the legislature on these issues.”

###