Oregon House Democrats spokesperson Mack Smith told the Capital Chronicle lawmakers will comment on policy later while supporting the community after a 16-year-old killed a teacher and three students at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend. On October 15 Oregon Republican Party Chair Connie Whelchel praised 36-year-old father Kaylub Giamanco for using a legally permitted firearm from his car to kill the gunman and criticized a 2021 law allowing districts to ban licensed firearms on school property. Democratic Party of Oregon Chair Nathan Soltz labeled the Republican release political grandstanding before facts emerged.