Oregon Concealed Carry Firearm Laws

Oregon: Gun Laws Summary

Oregon is a shall-issue state for concealed carry permits, with applications processed at the county level by the local sheriff’s office. Oregon Concealed Handgun Licenses (CHLs) require an applicant to be at least 21 years old and demonstrate handgun competence, which can be done through an approved firearms training course or organized shooting competition or military experience. Non-residents who live in contiguous states may apply for an Oregon CHL.

Private Gun Sales

No license is required to purchase a firearm in Oregon. 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

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. Some areas are off-limits, including federal facilities and Indian reservations. The minimum age for open carry is 18 years old.

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 theft or criminal mischief of property, criminal trespass by another person in or upon the premises, or a burglary in a dwelling.

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 committing or attempting to commit a felony involving the use or threatened imminent use of physical force against a person, committing or attempting to commit a burglary in a dwelling, or using or about to use unlawful deadly physical force against a person. A person may use deadly physical force only in defense of a person or when the person reasonably believes it necessary to prevent the commission of arson or a felony by force and violence by the trespasser.

Oregon: Gun Laws at a Glance


Constitutional Carry	No. Oregon is not a constitutional carry state.
Open Carry	Yes, without a license. 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). All public buildings are off-limits for those that open carry without an Oregon concealed handgun license. [Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 166.173]
Concealed Carry License	Oregon follows a shall-issue license policy.
Minimum Age for Concealed Carry License	The minimum age to carry concealed in Oregon is 21.
Concealed Carry of Weapons Other Than Handguns	No. An Oregon CHL only allows the concealed carry of handguns.
Taser or Stun Gun Ownership	Yes. Stun guns and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess without a license.
Chemical Spray/Pepper Spray	Yes. There is no statute prohibiting the purchase or use of pepper spray in Oregon. A person can be charged with a crime for recklessly discharging either of these items against another person.
Handgun Magazine Capacity Restrictions	No. There are no handgun magazine capacity limits in Oregon.
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. [Or. Rev. Stat. § 166.350]

Oregon: Carry Locations


Can you carry a concealed handgun in a vehicle in Oregon?	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. [Or. Rev. Stat. § 166.250(1)(b), (4)(b) and 166.260(1)(i)]
Can you carry a concealed firearm at roadside rest areas in Oregon?	Yes, with an OR CHL.[Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 166.37]
Can you carry a concealed firearm in state/national parks, state/national forests and Wildlife Management Areas in Oregon?	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]
Can you carry a concealed firearm in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol in Oregon?	Yes, there is no statute making it illegal to concealed carry with a valid OR CHL, unless posted.
Can you carry or possess a firearm on hotel property in Oregon?	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.
Does Oregon have laws relating to storing firearms in private vehicles in an employee parking lot?	Not addressed in Oregon state law.

Oregon: Key State Laws


Is my Oregon driver’s license linked to my Oregon 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. [Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. §166.291]
Does Oregon have preemption laws related to concealed carry (i.e. Does state law supersede local laws regarding the possession of handguns)?	Yes, the state has preemption of firearms laws in Oregon, except cities may regulate the discharge of firearms within the city’s boundaries and regulate, restrict or prohibit the possession of loaded firearms in public places. [Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. §166.170]
Does Oregon have a 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. [Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 166.527]
If yes, violating the sign would be considered to be a crime. If no, violating the sign would not be considered a criminal offense.	No. Oregon does not enforce “No Weapons Allowed” signs.
Does Oregon have laws regarding carrying a concealed firearm 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.
Does Oregon issue concealed carry licenses to non-residents?	Yes, only for residents of contiguous states with compelling business interest or other legitimate demonstrated need. [Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. §166.291]
Does Oregon allow the public to access concealed carry registry information through public records law?	No, however the information is available for law enforcement.
Do you have a duty to inform a police officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm in Oregon?	No. There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm in Oregon. [Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 166.292]
Does Oregon state law define brandishing?	No definition of brandishing was found in Oregon law. 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. [Or. Rev. Stat. § 163.90][Or. Rev. Stat. § 166.220][Or. Rev. Stat. § 166.190]

Oregon: Handgun Purchase and Possession


Handgun Registration	No. 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. [ORS § 166.438]
Minimum Age for Handgun Possession and Transport	The minimum age to possess or transport a handgun in Oregon is 18 years old. [ORS § 166.470]
Handgun Purchase Permit	No permit is required when purchasing a handgun in Oregon.
Background Check Exemption with Concealed Carry License	No.
Handgun Waiting Period	There is no waiting period to buy a handgun in Oregon.
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: a transferor’s spouse or domestic partner, parent or stepparent, child or stepchild, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, aunt or uncle first cousin, niece or nephew; and the spouse or domestic partner of a person specified above. Also exempt is the transfer of a firearm that occurs because of the death of the firearm owner, provided that the transfer is conducted or facilitated by a personal representative or a trustee of a trust created in a will; and the child or stepchild of the deceased. [Or. Rev. Stat. § 166.435]
Handgun Possession in the Home 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. [Or. Rev. Stat. § 166.250(2)(b)]