Oregon Gun Laws
Oregon is fairly permissive in regard to gun ownership. The state has passed some restrictive legislation, but Oregon generally respects the right to bear arms. Oregon has no requirements for licensing or registration before obtaining a firearm. There are no mandatory waiting periods, and most hardware is considered legal. Oregon also makes it fairly easy to obtain a concealed carry permit, as it is a ‘shall issue’ state. Despite some restrictions, Oregon remains as one of the nation’s more gun-friendly states.
Oregon Gun Laws at a Glance
| Concealed Carry Premit Required | Yes |
| Open Carry Premitted | Yes |
| Waiting period before purchasing | No |
| Lost and Stolen Firearm Reporting | No |
| Firearms License Required for Purchasing | No |
| Universal Background Check | Yes |
| Firearm Registration | No |
| Large Capacity Magazine Ban | No |
Firearm License Requirements
Oregon does not require gun owners to obtain any kind of license. The buyer must be 18 or older to purchase a long gun and 21 or older to purchase a handgun with a valid, state-issued ID.
Background Checks
Oregon buyers will be subject to a background check when purchasing any gun from any source. Private firearm sales and transfers must be processed through a licensed dealer, who is required to conduct a background check and keep a record of the sale. Both the buyer and seller must be present during the transaction. Records of all gun sales are kept by the Oregon State Police for five years.
Gun Shows
Oregon law requires both licensed dealers and unlicensed sellers to perform background checks at gun shows before transferring any firearms.
| Oregon “Gun Show” Definition | An event at which more than 25 firearms are on-site and available for transfer. |
|---|
Hardware and Ammunition Restrictions
| Hardware | Restrictions |
|---|---|
| Assault Weapons | Not restricted |
| 50 Caliber Rifles | Prohibited |
| Machine Guns | Prohibited |
| Large Capacity Magazines | No restrictions. |
| Ammunition | Oregon prohibits Teflon-coated ammunition and ammunition that is coated in any Telfon-like substances. Oregon also prohibits any ammunition that is intended to penetrate body armor. |
Prohibited Persons
A person is not eligible to purchase any firearm if he or she:
- Is under the age of 18 years old.
- Has a felony conviction or a violent misdemeanor.
- Is on pretrial release.
- Has been found mentally ill.
- Has been involuntarily committed.
- Has outstanding felony warrants.
Individuals who are under the age of 18 are prohibited from possessing a gun in Oregon, with a few exceptions. For example, minors are permitted to temporarily possess a firearm for hunting, target practice, or for any other lawful purpose. A parent, guardian, or a person with the consent of the parent or guardian may transfer a firearm to a minor as long as it is not a handgun. It is illegal to knowingly sell, transfer, or deliver any firearm to anyone who is under 18 or who is prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal or state law.
Prohibited Places
| Location | Restrictions | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Schools | The state of Oregon permits the open carry of firearms in public, which includes motor vehicles. This means that loaded handguns and long guns can be transported as long as they are not concealed. However, in counties and cities that have prohibited open carry, transporting a loaded firearm in a vehicle without a CHL is also prohibited. In this case, a handgun must be transported in a trunk, a locked glove box, or any place where it is not "readily accessible." Long guns can be transported anywhere in the vehicle, but must be unloaded in areas where open carry has been banned. | These regulations do not apply to snowmobiles. Guns must be unloaded to be legally carried on snowmobiles. |
| Vehicles | Oregon prohibits any loaded or unloaded firearms in (or on the grounds of) public and private schools, colleges, and universities, and the grounds adjacent to each buildin | Individuals with concealed carry licenses are permitted to carry firearms on the grounds of public colleges and universities. |
Concealed Carry Laws
| Notify Officer | No |
| “No Gun” Signs | Not Enforced |
| In-Vehicle Carry | Permitted |
| Restaurant Carry | Yes |
| State Park Carry | Yes |
| While Hunting | Permitted |
Obtaining a Concealed Carry License
Pennsylvania is a “shall issue” state. This means that the governing body must issue a concealed carry permit to a given applicant if certain qualifications are met.
| Requirements for a Concealed Carry License |
|---|
A concealed carry license must be issued if the applicant:
|
Concealed Carry Firearms Training
You can meet the handgun competency requirement for a concealed carry license in the following ways:
- Complete a hunters’ safety course including handgun training, approved by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (or a similar agency)
- Provided that the instructors were certified by the NRA or a law enforcement agency: the completion of any firearm training course available to the general public offered by law enforcement, a community college, a firearms training school, or any private or public institutions
- Provide a copy of a DD214 if it indicates handgun training
- Present evidence of handgun experience through participation in an organized shooting competition
- Present evidence of handgun proficiency through law enforcement experience
Concealed Carry Location Restrictions
Even with a concealed carry license, you can not legally possess a firearm in:
- Colleges and universities that have banned firearms
- Court facilities
- Department of Corrections facilities
- Racetracks
- Posted private businesses or private property
- National Parks and forests posted with “No Firearms” signs
- Secured areas of airports
- Indian reservations
- Any place where firearms are prohibited by state or federal law
Disclaimer: While the information provided here is legal in nature, it is not to be construed as legal advice, and is for educational and entertainment purposes only.