Sam Adams on Gun Laws: 'Modest Tweaks'Sam Adams on Gun Laws: 'Modest Tweaks'

Mayor Sam Adams' spoke with me this afternoon about his new plans to combat gun violence in the city, released last week after a surge in gang violence throughout North and Northeast Portland left police practically begging for witnesses.

There are five proposals—and Adams is giving the public two weeks to comment on them before he makes them final and presents them to the City Council.

Among them: A curfew for kids and teenagers, stiffer penalties for carrying a gun if it's loaded, a law requiring any lost or stolen gun be reported, and an "exclusion zone" that would ban anyone convicted of a gun from areas that police say are gunshot "hot spots."

Adams called the rules "common-sense, modest tweaks" to current laws, the best the city can do in a political and legal landscape that makes it nearly impossible for local governments (or any government) to ban the handguns and assault weapons used to commit violent crimes.

That said, he's bracing for opposition from across the political spectrum—especially from the gun lobby, already offering the most, um, advice ...

"I wouldn't be surprised if we get hauled into court," says Adams. "If we do, I intend to defend our position vigorously."

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