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. Join speakers Ashland Police Chief Tighe O’Meara and Jackson County Sheriff Nate Sickler as they discuss a number of issues important to citizens, including an overview of current local/state/federal laws surrounding guns, how to dispose of unwanted firearms, and community and agency response to threats to our schools.

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.

The monthly Big Ideas discussion series features prominent local experts speaking on relevant and timely issues affecting our community. Lectures are jointly sponsored by the Ashland Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and Jackson County Library Services.