Oregon (2024)

As an expert in gun laws and regulations, I've extensively studied and analyzed the intricate details of various state-level policies, including those pertaining to gun control, ownership, and public safety. My expertise is grounded in comprehensive research, legal analysis, and a nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding gun legislation.

Now, let's delve into the information provided regarding Oregon's gun laws, covering foundational laws, gun industry and product safety, guns in public, keeping guns out of the wrong hands, policing and civil rights, and sales and permitting.

1. Foundational Laws:

• Background Check and/or Purchase Permit:

  • Oregon requires background checks for handgun purchases at the point of sale and/or for a permit to purchase.
  • The law covers all firearms (handguns, rifles, and shotguns).
  • Background checks are performed for both permit to purchase and at the point of sale.

• Concealed Carry Permit Required:

  • Oregon mandates a concealed carry permit for anyone carrying a concealed firearm in public.
  • Training is required, but it does not include firing an actual gun.

• Extreme Risk Law:

  • Allows law enforcement and often family/household members to petition for a court order to temporarily prevent someone in crisis from accessing guns.

• No Shoot First Law:

  • Oregon does not have a dangerous Shoot First law in place.

• Secure Storage or Child Access Prevention Required:

  • Firearms must be stored locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition in certain circ*mstances.
  • The law applies any time the firearm is not in the owner's immediate control.

2. Gun Industry and Product Safety:

• Assault Weapons Prohibited:

  • Oregon prohibits the purchase of certain assault-style weapons originally designed for military use.

• Consumer Safety:

  • Requires new handgun models sold in the state to have childproofing features.

• Ghost Guns Regulated:

  • Regulates ghost gun parts, ensuring they cannot be sold without serial numbers and a background check.

• High Capacity Magazines Prohibited:

  • Bars the purchase of gun magazines larger than a prescribed size.

• Microstamping for New Handguns:

  • Requires new handgun models sold in the state to include microstamping technology.

• No Special Immunity for Gun Industry:

  • Oregon does not have a dangerous legal immunity law in place.

3. Guns in Public:

• Crime Gun Tracing:

  • Requires officials to trace all guns recovered at crime scenes, using the federal tracing system.

• No Carry After Violent Offense:

  • Bars concealed carry by people with assault or other violent misdemeanor convictions for 4 years.

• No Guns Mandate on College Campuses:

  • Oregon does not force colleges and universities to allow concealed carry.

• No Guns in Bars:

  • Blocks the concealed carry of guns in bars.

• No Guns in K-12 Schools:

  • Oregon does not have a law allowing carry in K–12 schools by staff or other permit holders.

• Open Carry Regulated:

  • Regulates how guns may be carried visibly in public, either requiring a permit or else barring open carry altogether.

• Strong Concealed Carry Authority:

  • Allows officials to bar concealed carry by people who pose a danger.

4. Keeping Guns out of the Wrong Hands:

• Various prohibitions and restrictions include Emergency Restraining Order Prohibitor, Felony Prohibitor, Fugitive from Justice Prohibitor, Gun Removal Program, Hate Crime Prohibitor, Mental Health Prohibitor, Minimum Age to Purchase, No Gun Purchases After Violent Offense, Prohibition for Convicted Domestic Abusers, Prohibition for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders, Relinquishment for Convicted Domestic Abusers, Relinquishment for Domestic Abusers Under Restraining Orders, School Threat Assessment Teams, and Stalker Prohibitor.

5. Policing and Civil Rights:

• Key aspects include Funding for Services for Victims of Gun Violence, Local Gun Laws Allowed, No Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights, Office of Violence Intervention, Police Use of Deadly Force Standard, Police Use of Force Incident Data Collection and Reporting, Qualified Immunity Limited, and Violence Intervention Program Funding.

6. Sales and Permitting:

• Relevant policies cover Authority to Deny Gun Purchase for Public Safety, Charleston Loophole Closed or Limited, Dealer License Required, Lost and Stolen Reporting, Mental Health Record Reporting, Notification of Failed Background Checks, Sales Records Sent to Law Enforcement, Training Required to Purchase Guns, and Waiting Periods.

In comparison to other states, Oregon's Gun Law Strength Composite score is 66.5, ranking it #9 in the country. The state has demonstrated a commitment to implementing a comprehensive set of policies aimed at balancing public safety with responsible gun ownership.