An editorial in the San Jose Mercury News by Representative Les AuCoin explains why he no longer votes the NRA line . Following is a brief summary of his thoughts : AuCoin notes that crime has increased since his election ; with more gun deaths since the Brady Bill was first proposed . One youth was shot to death during the crime. The streets are dangerous , he feels , with increased gun and gang activity . This has convinced him to abandon the Republican Party and support the Brady Bill . AuCoin says that Oregon is no longer an island . He believes his constituents are less concerned by a waiting period than about the increasing gang violence .
An editorial in the San Jose Mercury News by Representative Les AuCoin explains why he no longer votes the NRA line . Following is a brief summary of his thoughts : AuCoin notes that crime has increased since his election ; with more gun deaths since the Brady Bill was first proposed . The streets are dangerous , he feels , with increased gun and gang activity . This has convinced him to abandon the Republican Party and support the Brady Bill . AuCoin says that Oregon is no longer an island . He believes his constituents are less concerned by a waiting period than about the increasing gang violence .