Oregon State Law Summary

Last updated October 15, 2010

In the publication Gun Laws Matter: A Comparison of State Firearms Laws and Statistics, LCAV ranked each state based on a review of state laws in 25 firearm-related policy areas. Oregon ranked 21 out of 50 – having enacted few gun violence prevention laws.  Among its gun violence prevention provisions, Oregon:

• Requires unlicensed sellers to perform a background check at a gun show before transferring any firearm; and

• Has established a voluntary process by which an unlicensed gun seller may request that the Oregon Department of State Police perform a criminal background check on a prospective firearms recipient; the State Police must process such requests.

Oregon does not, however:

• Require a background check prior to the transfer of a firearm between private parties, except at gun shows;

• Prohibit the transfer or possession of assault weapons, 50 caliber rifles, or large capacity ammunition magazines;

• License or significantly regulate firearms dealers;

• Limit the number of firearms that may be purchased at one time;

• Impose a waiting period on firearm purchases; or

• Regulate unsafe handguns.

Local governments in Oregon generally lack authority to regulate firearms or ammunition, and Oregon requires local law enforcement to issue a concealed handgun license to any applicant who meets certain basic qualifications.

Oregon ranks 29th in number of gun deaths per capita. In 2007, 387 people died from firearm-related injuries in Oregon. Oregon supplied the 26th highest number of crime guns to other states per capita in 2009, and exports more crime guns than it imports.

For details about specific firearms laws in Oregon, choose a topic below.

Overview State "Right to Bear Arms" Statistics Local Authority to Regulate Firearms
State Firearms Policies Persons Prohibited from Firearm Possession Prohibited Purchasers Generally Minimum Age to Purchase / Possess Domestic Violence & Firearms Disarming Prohibited Persons Sales & Transfers Background Checks Mental Health Reporting Multiple Purchases / Sales of Firearms Retention of Sales / Background Check Records Waiting Periods Gun Dealers & Other Sellers Dealer Regulations Private Sales Gun Shows Immunity Statutes Gun Owner Responsibilities Licensing of Gun Owners / Purchasers Registration of Firearms Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms	Firearms in Public Places Concealed Weapons Permitting Open Carrying Location Restrictions Guns in Vehicles Guns in Schools Other Location Restrictions Consumer & Child Safety Design Safety Standards for Handguns Locking Devices Personalized / Owner-Authorized Firearms Child Access Prevention Classes of Weapons / Ammunition Assault Weapons Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines Fifty Caliber Rifles Machine Guns / Automatic Firearms Non-Powder Guns Ammunition Regulation Investigating Gun Crimes Microstamping / Ballistic Identification Trafficking Other Significant Statutes
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