Oregon is a shall-issue state with concealed carry applications processed at the county level by the local sheriff’s office. However, the sheriff has some discretion if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the applicant has been or is reasonably likely to be a danger to self or others.
No license is required to purchase a firearm. Private-party firearms transfers must be conducted through a licensed firearms dealer while both parties are present. The dealer is required by federal law to conduct a background check and keep a record of the sale. The Oregon State Police keep records of all gun sales from firearm dealers for five years.
Open carry is legal in Oregon without a license although local cities and counties are authorized to place restrictions on who may open carry in public places (which includes vehicles). The minimum age is 18 years old. Some areas are off-limits, including federal facilities and Indian reservations.
Concealed carry is legal only with an Oregon Concealed Handgun License (CHL). Oregon CHLs require an applicant to be at least 21 years of age and demonstrate competence with a handgun. This can be done through an approved firearms training course or through participation in organized shooting competition or military experience. Non-residents who live in contiguous states may apply for a CHL. In terms of reciprocity, Oregon does not honor permits from any other states.
Where can I carry with my Oregon permit?
Yes
Yes, Constitutional Carry
Yes, Other Restrictions
No
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Important Firearm Laws
non-resident permitting?
Yes, only for residents of contiguous states with compelling business interest or other legitimate demonstrated need.
brandishing?
No definition of brandishing was found in Oregon law. However, a person commits the crime of menacing if by word or conduct the person intentionally attempts to place another person in fear of imminent serious physical injury.
A person commits the crime of unlawful use of a weapon if the person attempts to use unlawfully against another, or carries or possesses with intent to use unlawfully against another, any dangerous or deadly weapon.
Any person over the age of 12 years who, with or without malice, purposely points or aims any loaded or empty pistol, gun, revolver or other firearm, at or toward any other person within range of the firearm, except in self-defense, shall be charged with a crime.
"no weapons allowed" signs enforced?
No. Oregon does not enforce "No Weapons Allowed" signs.
duty to inform officer you're carrying?
No. There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in Oregon.
preemption?
Yes, the state has preemption of firearms laws in Oregon, except cities may:
carry while using alcohol or drugs?
Not addressed in state statutes.
As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times, or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.
red flag law?
Oregon has a red flag law. A law enforcement officer or a family or household member of a person may file a petition enjoining the person from having in the person’s custody or control, owning, purchasing, possessing or receiving, or attempting to purchase or receive, a deadly weapon.
driver's license linked to carry license?
Yes. Your Oregon driver’s license is linked to your Oregon concealed handgun license. Therefore, a law enforcement officer will be notified immediately that you are a concealed carry license holder if they run your driver’s license.
public access to concealed carry registry?
No, however the information is available for law enforcement.
Carry Basics
ammunition restrictions?
Yes. It is illegal to possess teflon-coated handgun ammunition or handgun ammunition coated with any chemical compound with properties similar to Teflon and which is intended to penetrate soft body armor, for any person with the intent to use the ammunition in the commission of a felony.
constitutional carry?
No. Oregon is not a constitutional carry state.
minimum age for concealed carry?
The minimum age to carry concealed in Oregon is 21.
weapons other than handguns allowed?
No. A Oregon CHL only allows the concealed carry of handguns.
open carry permitted?
Yes, without a license. However, local governments can prohibit open carry for persons who do not have an Oregon concealed handgun license and are carrying a loaded handgun in public places (inside of vehicles are considered public places). For instance, the cities of Portland, Beaverton, Tigard, Oregon City, Salem and Independence, plus the entirety of Multnomah County, prohibit open carry of loaded firearms. All public buildings are off-limits for those that open carry without an Oregon concealed handgun license.
gun permit licensure?
Oregon follows a shall-issue license policy.
magazine limits for handguns?
No. There are no handgun magazine capacity limits in Oregon. On November 21, 2023, a Harney County Circuit Court judge issued a permanent injunction against Measure 114, ruling it unconstitutional under the Oregon Constitution. This decision effectively blocked the implementation of the magazine capacity limit and other provisions of the measure.
byrna's?
Yes. These are legal for purchase and possession. Byrna guns are not classified as firearms under Oregon law.
non-lethal weapons?
STUN GUNS and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess without a license.
PEPPER SPRAY - Legal for self-defense purposes. Oregon imposes no restrictions on size or concentration. Prohibited in schools, government buildings, and other restricted areas.
TEAR GAS - Legal for self-defense but subject to general misuse laws.
BEAR SPRAY - Legal for self-defense against wildlife. No specific state restrictions, but misuse against humans could lead to legal consequences.
BLUDGEONS AND BATONS - Expandable batons are legal to own but illegal to carry concealed without a concealed handgun license (CHL). Open carry is permissible, but carrying a baton concealed is prohibited unless authorized by law.
Items such as billy clubs, slapjacks, and nightsticks are also legal unless used with criminal intent.
BRASS KNUCKLES - Illegal under Oregon law. Brass knuckles are classified as "dangerous weapons," and their possession, sale, or carry is prohibited.
Handgun Purchase & Possession
minimum age to possess and transport?
The minimum age to possess or transport a handgun in Oregon is 18 years old.
purchase permits?
No permit is required when purchasing a handgun in Oregon.
waiting period?
No. There is no waiting period to buy a handgun in Oregon.
possess a handgun on my private property without a license?
Yes. A concealed carry license is not required in a person’s place of residence or place of business. “Residence” includes a recreational vessel or recreational vehicle while used, for whatever period of time, as residential quarters for any lawful purpose.
handgun registration?
No. However, whenever a retail dealer, pawnbroker or otherwise, buys or accepts in trade, a used firearm, the person shall enter in a register the time, date and place of purchase or trade, the name of the person selling or trading the firearm, the number of the identification documentation presented by the person and the make, model and manufacturer’s number of the firearm. The form is provided to the local law enforcement agency. Firearms dealers are required to retain a firearms transaction thumbprint form for 5 years after completion of the form.
background checks for private gun sales?
Yes. Private sales must be conducted by or processed through a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) pursuant to a background check. Exceptions include the transfer of a firearm to:
Also exempt is the transfer of a firearm that occurs because of the death of the firearm owner, provided that:
oregon license exempts from background check?
No.
Top Gun Laws & Concealed Carry Permit Information For Oregon Residents
Concealed Carry Basics Faq
what are the knife laws in oregon?
It is legal to open carry any type of knife. Unless you have been convicted of a felony, you can own any knife you choose in Oregon. It is illegal in Oregon to concealed carry on your person a dirk, dagger or stabbing knife, a butterfly knife, gravity knife, any knife with a blade that projects or swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force, or any similar instrument by the use of which injury could be inflicted upon the person or property of any other person. Knives are prohibited in public buildings and court facilities except for an ordinary pocketknife having a blade less than 4 inches in length.
carry while bow hunting?
Yes. You may carry or have in your possession a firearm during a general or controlled archery (bow) season. You must use legal archery equipment to hunt animals for which you have an archery tag.
[OR Dept of Fish & Wildlife Fast Facts about Firearms Possession]
wear a covid mask & carry?
Oregon law allows residents to conceal carry a firearm while also wearing a mask.
carry while gun hunting?
Yes. There are no Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife administrative rules that restrict the right to carry or have in your possession a firearm at any time. You may not hunt with that firearm unless regulations for the area and type of hunt in which you are participating allow you to do so.
hunter harassment law?
Yes. A person commits the offense of obstructing the taking of wildlife if the person, having no right to do so, interferes with the lawful taking, or the process of taking, of wildlife by another with the intent to prevent the taking.
Fees:
Initial License $100 plus $15 for background checkRenewals $75
Valid For:
4 years
Residency Changes:
Moving to Oregon and interested in applying for a resident license? How soon can you apply?Oregon issues licenses to residents and residents of contiguous states with compelling business interests or other legitimate demonstrated needs only. You can apply for your license with the sheriff of your county once you provide proof of residency with your current address (Oregon driver’s license, voter registration card, etc.) or, if you are a resident of a contiguous state, once you provide a compelling business interest or other legitimate demonstrated need.
Moving from Oregon and have an Oregon resident license? Does that license transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your Oregon license remains valid?If a person with an Oregon resident concealed handgun license establishes residency in another state, the license expires upon the establishment of residence in the other state.
Application:
Link to example application (Each county has its own application.)
Name/Address Changes:
The process varies by county. Contact your county sheriff's office. There is a $15 fee.
Requirements:
An applicant must:
*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of Oregon.
Processing Time:
45 days
Lost/Stolen Licenses:
You should report the loss of your concealed handgun license to the law-enforcement agency in the city or county in which you lost your license. Per the passage of SB 554, as of September 25, 2021, gun owners are required to report a stolen firearm within 72 hours of noticing it is gone. The process varies by county, but you may be able to apply online for a replacement. There is a $15 replacement fee.
Non-Resident Concealed Carry Licenses:
Sheriffs "may issue" licenses to residents of contiguous states with compelling business interest or other legitimate demonstrated need. The process is the same as for residents.
Step 1:
Complete a firearm training course if required.
Step 2:
Complete an application form at your local county sheriff’s office or download the application.
Step 3:
Take the completed application to the county sheriff’s office with the following:
You will be fingerprinted.
Step 4:
You will be notified by mail if your application has been approved.
carry in bars/restaurants that serve alcohol?
Yes, there is no statute making it illegal to concealed carry with a valid OR CHL, unless posted.
carry in vehicle?
Yes, with an OR CHL. Without a license, a loaded handgun must not be concealed and readily accessible. A handgun is considered readily accessible if it is in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. For vehicles with no storage location that is outside the passenger compartment of the vehicle, a handgun is considered not readily accessible if it is stored in a closed and locked glove compartment, center console or other container.
However, local governments can set their own laws on public places, which includes vehicles.
carry at roadside rest areas?
Yes, with an OR CHL.
carry in state/national parks, state/national forests and wildlife management areas (wmas)?
Yes, with an OR CHL. See the National Parks webpage for links to each Park in Oregon.
[Or. Adm. Rules 629.025.0050][Or. Adm. Rules 635.008.0060 through 635.008.0197]
carry/possess at a hotel?
Oregon statutes don't specifically address firearms at hotels. Please note that each hotel develops their own policies and the individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it's concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.
store in a vehicle in an employee parking lot?
Not addressed in Oregon state law.
tribal land
No. You cannot carry on ANY of the federally recognized tribal land reservations in the state of Oregon without a permit issued by the tribal authority.
Self-Defense
Oregon law does not explicitly reference the Castle Doctrine, nor does it have a “stand your ground” statute. However, the state supreme court has held that there is no duty to retreat before using force in self-defense in public. Oregon law allows for the use of deadly force to prevent certain property crimes.
A person is justified in using physical force for self-defense or to defend a third person from what the person reasonably believes to be the use or imminent use of unlawful physical force, and the person may use a degree of force which the person reasonably believes to be necessary for the purpose.
Use of Deadly Physical Force
A person is not justified in using deadly physical force unless the person reasonably believes that the other person is:
A person may use deadly physical force only:
[Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 161.205, 161.209, 161.219, 161.225 & 161.229]
Use of Physical Force
A person is justified in using physical force for self-defense or to defend a third person from what the person reasonably believes to be the use or imminent use of unlawful physical force, and the person may use a degree of force which the person reasonably believes to be necessary for the purpose.
A person is justified in using physical force, other than deadly physical force, when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes it necessary to prevent or terminate the commission or attempted commission of:
Oregon Gun Law Updates
DateDetails
2025-04-08
Added non-lethal weapons to Carry Basics section.
2024-12-27
Added tribal land information under the carry location section.
2021-06-02
Added info on location restrictions based on SB554 in the Can't Carry section
2021-06-02
Added info on permit fees and lost firearms based on SB554 in the Permit Info section
2021-05-19
Added info on driver's license link to permit in At A Glance table
2021-03-02
Added Commission for the Blind properties to the Location Restrictions section
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