Oregon Gun Laws

• Measure 114 in Legislative Limbo: Oregon’s gun laws have been subjected to intense legal and legislative whiplash. The controversial Measure 114 (passed in 2022 to mandate a permit-to-purchase and ban magazines over 10 rounds) was tangled in court for years. Even though the Oregon Court of Appeals ruled the measure constitutional in early 2025, the state legislature subsequently passed HB 4145 B, officially delaying the implementation of Measure 114 until January 1, 2028. Currently, no permit to purchase is required and standard magazines remain legal.
• Fragmented State Preemption: Oregon is technically an open carry state, but state preemption has massive carve-outs. Cities and municipalities are legally allowed to ban the open carry of loaded firearms—and major cities like Portland, Salem, and Beaverton have done exactly that. Open carry in these jurisdictions without a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) will result in criminal charges.
• Local Authority over Public Buildings (SB 243): Building on earlier legislation, the 2025 passage of SB 243 solidified the authority of local public entities, municipalities, and school districts to completely ban CHL holders from carrying concealed firearms in local government buildings and on school grounds.

Oregon is technically a "Shall Issue" state for the Concealed Handgun License (CHL), but county sheriffs retain limited discretion to deny a permit if they have "reasonable grounds to believe" the applicant is a danger to themselves or others.

• Minimum Age: 21 years old.
• Training Requirements: Applicants must demonstrate competence with a handgun. This is typically satisfied by taking a state-approved firearms safety course (online courses were historically accepted, but recent laws are pushing toward live-fire requirements depending on the county) or providing proof of military experience/competition shooting.
• Background Checks: A mandatory state and federal (FBI NICS) fingerprint-based background check is conducted.
• Fingerprints: A complete set of electronic fingerprints must be taken at the Sheriff's office.
• Application Fees: The total fee for a new CHL is typically $115.00 ($65 application fee + $50 fingerprint/background fee). Renewals are $75.00. The permit is valid for 4 years.
• Processing Times: By law, the Sheriff has up to 45 days to issue or deny the CHL after receiving a complete application and fingerprint results.
• Non-Residents: Oregon does not recognize any out-of-state permits. However, residents of contiguous states (Washington, Idaho, California, Nevada) may apply for an Oregon CHL, subject entirely to the discretion of the issuing sheriff, usually requiring a "compelling business interest or other legitimate demonstrated need."

Due to the legislative delay of Measure 114 until 2028, Oregon does not currently enforce magazine bans, though recent legislation has banned specific rapid-fire accessories.

• Magazine Capacity: No current restrictions (as of 2026). Standard and high-capacity magazines are completely legal to buy, sell, possess, and carry until the delayed implementation date of Measure 114 takes effect.
• "Assault Weapon" Bans: None. Oregon does not regulate or ban semi-automatic firearms based on cosmetic features or military appearance.
• Restricted Ammunition: No state-specific bans on standard hollow-point ammunition.
• Banned Models & Accessories: With the passage of SB 243 in 2025, Oregon explicitly banned the sale, transfer, and possession of "rapid-fire activators" (RFAs), classifying devices like bump stocks and auto-sears as illegal machine gun conversion parts.

Oregon does not have a codified "Stand Your Ground" statute on the books, but established case law strongly protects defenders outside the home.

• Stand Your Ground: Yes, via case law. In State v. Sandoval, the Oregon Supreme Court ruled that a person is not required to retreat before using deadly force in self-defense if they are in a place they have a legal right to be.
• Castle Doctrine: Yes. Under ORS 161.225, an individual is justified in using physical (and deadly) force to prevent the commission of a burglary or arson in a dwelling.
• Duty to Retreat: No. Oregon courts have repeatedly held that there is no legal requirement to retreat.
• Civil Immunity: No. Oregon does not provide specific statutory civil immunity, meaning a justified shooter can still face civil litigation from the attacker's family.

Transportation laws in Oregon are strict and dictate that without a CHL, a firearm must be entirely inaccessible to the occupants.

• Handguns (With CHL): A permit holder may transport a loaded, concealed handgun anywhere within the passenger compartment of the vehicle, or on their person.
• Handguns (Without CHL): Must be completely unloaded. The firearm cannot be "readily accessible." It must be stored in a closed and locked trunk, or if the vehicle has no trunk, in a closed and locked container (like a locked glove box or a locked gun safe).
• Long Guns: State law generally requires long guns to be unloaded in a vehicle. However, local ordinances in major cities (like Portland) make it a crime to transport a loaded rifle or shotgun anywhere within city limits, regardless of whether you have a CHL.
• Federal Gun-Free School Zone Act: An Oregon CHL exempts the holder from the federal 1,000-foot buffer zone restriction, but local school district bans still apply to the physical property.

Oregon mandates universal background checks for all transfers and runs all queries through the Oregon State Police (OSP) rather than the federal NICS system.

• Dealer Sales: All purchases through an FFL require a background check processed by the OSP. A completed, approved background check is legally required before the dealer can transfer the firearm (closing the 3-day default proceed loophole).
• Private Sales: Universal background checks are mandatory. Any private transfer between unlicensed individuals must be processed through an FFL, who will run the OSP background check and charge a fee. (Exceptions exist for immediate family members and inheritances).
• Waiting Periods: There is no statutory waiting period; however, the OSP background check queue is frequently backlogged, acting as a de facto waiting period of several days or weeks.
• CCW Bypass: An Oregon CHL does not bypass the OSP background check at a dealer. Every transfer requires a new check.

Oregon utilizes an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO), functioning as a Red Flag law.

• Who Can File: Law enforcement officers, family members, and household members can petition the court.
• Process and Duration: A judge can issue an emergency ex parte ERPO without the respondent present if there is clear and convincing evidence of immediate danger. The respondent must surrender firearms within 24 hours. A full hearing is held within 21 days. If granted, a final ERPO lasts for one year.
• Appeal: The respondent can file one request per year to dissolve the order by proving they are no longer a risk.

Carrying a concealed firearm upon your person or concealed/accessible within a vehicle without a valid Oregon CHL is a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a $6,250 fine.

Carrying a firearm into a statutorily prohibited zone (like a school where the board has banned them, or a public building prohibited by local ordinance under SB 554) is generally prosecuted as a Class C Felony, which carries up to 5 years in prison, up to a $125,000 fine, and the permanent revocation of your CHL.