The Oregon Gun Law Guide: Concealed Carry & Handgun Regulations
- Chris Trotter
- Jun 25
- 9 min read
Updated: Jul 1
Whether you're a first-time gun owner or someone who's had firearms for years, understanding Oregon gun law is more important than ever. With recent changes and new proposals on the horizon, staying informed could help you avoid legal trouble and make smarter decisions about ownership, transport, and use. This article breaks down what you need to know, clearly and without all the confusing legal jargon.
Is Oregon An Open Carry State?
Oregon is an open carry state, but there are some restrictions you should know about. In general, it’s legal for anyone over 18 to carry a firearm openly in public without a permit. That said, local cities and counties can make their own rules. If you have a valid Oregon Concealed Handgun License (CHL), you have added protections under the law when it comes to local restrictions.
Oregon’s Open Carry Laws
Open carry in Oregon doesn’t mean you can bring a firearm anywhere you want. Some locations are completely off-limits. For example, you can’t open carry in courthouses, airports, or federal buildings—no matter what license you have. Even public schools and college campuses can have strict policies against firearms.
Law enforcement may also stop and question you if you’re open carrying, especially in urban areas. While it might be legal, it can still cause concern. Some officers may ask for ID or your CHL, so it’s good to stay calm and polite. Just because something’s legal doesn’t mean it won’t raise eyebrows.
Oregon Concealed Carry Laws
Oregon’s concealed carry law is governed by ORS 166.291. This law allows individuals to carry a hidden handgun, whether on their person or in a vehicle, but only once they've gone through a licensing process. Applicants must be 21 or older, complete a state-approved firearms safety course, and submit fingerprints for a criminal background check. The sheriff's office of the county in which you reside reviews the application. While most county offices process permits reliably, timelines can vary depending on staff and demand. CHL holders can carry concealed in most public places, but restrictions still apply in some private businesses, schools, courts, or government buildings. Renewing the permit is fairly straightforward. A refresher course may be required, and background checks are repeated to ensure continued eligibility.
How to Buy a Gun in Oregon
1. Pick your firearm – You can shop at a licensed gun dealer or gun show.
2. Meet the age requirement – You must be 21 or older for handguns, 18 for rifles or shotguns.
3. Bring valid ID – A government-issued photo ID with your current address is required.
4. Fill out paperwork – You’ll complete ATF Form 4473, including your signature and thumbprint.
5. Pass a background check – The dealer runs it through the NICS system. If it takes over 3 days, the sale may still proceed.
6. Pay and go – Once approved, you can pay and take your new gun home.
Oregon Handgun Laws
Handgun laws in Oregon allow residents to carry openly or with a permit, depending on the circumstances. To legally carry a concealed handgun in public, you need a state-issued Concealed Handgun License. Licensed handgun dealers must keep detailed records of every sale, including the firearm’s make, model, and serial number, along with the buyer’s information.
Oregon also requires that handguns be securely stored when not in use to prevent unauthorized access, especially by minors. When it comes to self-defense, Oregon law permits the use of a handgun if you reasonably believe you or someone else is facing an immediate threat. While there’s no formal “stand your ground” law, you don’t have to retreat before defending yourself, so long as the use of force is legally justified. That said, even if you believe your use of a firearm in self-defense was legally justified, a cop and/or a prosecutor may disagree. There is a lot of "gray area" when it comes to what may or may not be legal when using a firearm in self-defense. The result is that law enforcement and prosecutorial discretion varies greatly with investigations involving the use of a firearm.
Can You Open Carry in Portland, Oregon?
Portland gun law states that open carry in the City of Portland is a criminal offense if your firearm is loaded. You must unload it fully—no rounds in the gun or magazine. If you have a valid Oregon Concealed Handgun License (CHL), you are exempted from this rule.
Elsewhere in Oregon, state law allows open carry—loaded or unloaded—without a permit. But several cities and counties mirror Portland’s rule: no loaded open carry unless you hold a CHL. In rural and other urban areas, open carry is generally permitted, though always watch for local regulations and off‑limits zones.
Is There a Mandatory Waiting Period in Oregon?
Oregon doesn’t have a state-mandated waiting period for buying a gun. However, there can still be delays. When you buy a gun in Oregon, you must pass a background check. This can sometimes take minutes, but other times, it takes days. If the check isn’t complete within three business days, the dealer may legally proceed with the sale, though some choose to wait for approval. So while there’s no official Oregon waiting period law, the background check timing can create one in practice.
Background Checks and How They Work
Background checks in Oregon are processed through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), managed by the FBI. When you try to buy a gun from a licensed dealer, they submit your information to NICS to screen for disqualifying records. These include felony convictions, misdemeanor domestic violence convictions, domestic violence restraining orders, mental health adjudications, and certain drug offenses. If you're flagged, the sale is denied. If the system returns a “delayed” response, the dealer must wait for clearance or three business days before completing the sale.
If you provide any false information in the ATF Form 4473 when purchasing a firearm, you may be prosecuted for one or more misdemeanor criminal offenses. Such as, unlawful purchase of a firearm (ORS 166.425) or providing false information in connection with the purchase of a firearm (ORS 166.416).
Oregon Firearm Laws For Felons
In Oregon, felons aren’t allowed to possess guns, but there may be a way to restore those rights, depending on the circumstances. Often, the best way to have your rights restored is to petition the court to reduce a felony conviction to a misdemeanor under ORS 161.705. Sometimes the best, or only, avenue is to petition the court for firearm rights restoration under ORS 166.274. This usually requires waiting at least one year after finishing your sentence, showing you're not a danger to public safety, and sometimes completing a mental health evaluation. Until your rights are officially restored, having a gun is a a criminal offense.
Can You Carry a Handgun in Your Car in Oregon?
In Oregon, you can generally carry a handgun in your car, but the rules change depending on whether you have a Concealed Handgun License (CHL). If you don’t have a CHL, if your handgun is concealed, it must be locked away where it’s not easily accessible. That means it can’t be hidden under a seat or stuffed in the glove box unless that compartment is locked and the keys are removed. If you do have a CHL, you’re allowed to carry a loaded, concealed handgun anywhere in your vehicle, including the passenger area.
Local laws also come into play, especially in cities like Portland. These areas have stricter rules that ban open carry of loaded firearms in vehicles unless you have a valid CHL. So, even if you’re following state law, you could still be breaking local ordinances if you’re not licensed.
To stay on the safe side, it’s best to either get a CHL or keep your firearm unloaded and locked in a secure container or trunk. This helps you avoid legal issues and stay compliant no matter where you’re driving in Oregon.
Extreme Risk Protection Orders
Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), often called “red flag” laws, let certain people ask a court to temporarily take away someone’s firearms if they’re believed to be a danger to themselves or others. In Oregon, only law enforcement, family members, household members, or intimate partners can file this request. The person asking for the order must explain, in writing, why they believe the individual poses a risk, such as threats of harm, violent behavior, recent criminal activity, or signs of substance abuse. Courts typically review these requests quickly and can issue an immediate, temporary order without notifying the person named.
If an ERPO is granted, the individual must turn over any guns, ammunition, and their concealed handgun license within 24 hours. They also cannot purchase or possess firearms while the order is active. The order usually lasts for one year. If the person wants to fight it, they can ask for a hearing within 30 days. If no hearing is requested, the order stays in place for the full year unless a renewal is filed.
ERPOs are civil, not criminal, and are designed to prevent harm before it happens. The court requires strong evidence that the person is at serious risk of hurting themselves or others. While the process is fast, it also includes due process protections for the person affected. If someone violates an ERPO, or knowingly files one with false claims, criminal penalties may apply.
Recent Oregon Gun Laws
Oregon has recently tightened gun laws in two major ways: starting September 1, 2024, all homemade or “ghost” guns, frames, and receivers must be serialized or risk fines up to $1,000. Also in March 2025, the Court of Appeals upheld Measure 114’s key elements, requiring permits, training, and banning high-capacity magazines, bringing them much closer to being enforceable pending any further appeals.
New Oregon Gun Laws
Oregon is in the midst of significant changes to its gun laws, with several bills working their way through the legislature. If passed, these proposals would impact everything from waiting periods and accessories to who can carry where and how dealers operate. One of the most talked-about measures, Senate Bill 243, would require a 72-hour waiting period after a background check is submitted and would ban rapid-fire accessories like bump stocks. It would also allow local governments to restrict concealed carry in certain public spaces, giving cities and counties more control over where firearms are allowed.
House Bill 3075 builds on Measure 114 and aims to bring those voter-approved rules into full effect. It would increase permit processing times, raise fees, and require more detailed training for gun buyers. It also gives a short grace period for people to get rid of now-restricted high-capacity magazines. Meanwhile, House Bill 3076 focuses on gun dealers, adding new licensing requirements, strict recordkeeping rules, and upgraded security measures like 24/7 surveillance. All of these changes could bring major shifts for gun owners and sellers alike if they’re signed into law.
Gun Ownership Laws
● You must be 21+ to purchase or own a handgun
If you're under 21, you cannot legally buy or possess a handgun in Oregon, even with parental permission. This applies to purchases from both dealers and private sellers.
● You must be 18+ to purchase or own a rifle or shotgun
At age 18, you can legally own or buy long guns such as hunting rifles or shotguns. This age rule applies across most situations, unless otherwise restricted by specific circumstances like a court order.
● You must have a government-issued photo ID with a current Oregon address
Whether buying from a dealer or transferring ownership through a private sale, you’ll need to show valid identification. If your ID doesn’t have your current address, you may be asked for a second proof of residency.
● You can legally own multiple firearms
Oregon has no limit on the number of guns a person can own. You’re allowed to have as many as you want as long as each one is acquired legally.
● No limit on ammunition purchases or possession
There are no caps on how much ammunition you can buy or store, and no special licenses are required just to buy bullets, whether in bulk or small amounts.
● No required firearm registration for long guns or handguns
Oregon doesn’t require you to register your firearms with the state, and there’s no firearm database like some other states have.
● No mandatory training or safety course unless applying for a CHL
You can buy a gun without taking a safety course. But if you want a concealed handgun license, you’ll need to complete approved safety training.
● Background checks are required for all purchases from licensed dealers
Every time you buy a firearm through a licensed dealer, a federal background check will be run. This applies even for repeat customers.
● Private sellers must use a licensed dealer to complete a background check
If you want to sell or give a gun to someone else, even a friend or family member, you’ll need to go through a licensed dealer to conduct the transfer legally.
The Oregon Gun Law Guide Concealed Carry & Handgun Conclusion
Oregon's gun laws are shifting rapidly, and it’s becoming more important than ever to stay current. Whether it’s proposed waiting periods, expanded training rules, or changing carry restrictions, these updates affect how and when you can legally own or carry a firearm. It’s not just about knowing your rights, it’s about knowing how they change.
If you're looking to restore your gun rights or need experienced legal help in the Hillsboro area, reach out to our team at Trotter Law. We’re known for straightforward communication, personal attention, and a deep understanding of Oregon’s firearm laws. People trust us because we take the time to listen and fight hard for the results they need.
*Nothing herein constitutes legal advice. You should obtain independent legal counsel regarding your specific factual situation.
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