Oregon Gun Laws: Concealed Carry, Open Carry and Buying a Gun

No. Oregon does not allow concealed carry without a license. Knowingly carrying a firearm concealed on the person, or having a concealed handgun readily accessible in a vehicle, is unlawful possession of a firearm (a Class A misdemeanor) unless an exception applies, such as holding an Oregon concealed handgun license.

Oregon issues a 'concealed handgun license' (CHL) through the county sheriff. The sheriff 'shall issue' a license to an applicant who meets the requirements. However, the sheriff may deny one if there are reasonable grounds to believe the applicant is, or is reasonably likely to be, a danger to self or others because of their mental state or a past pattern of unlawful violence or threats. Applicants must be at least 21 and residents of the county; the sheriff may waive residency for residents of neighboring states with a compelling business interest or other legitimate need. Applicants must show handgun competence, for example through a hunter safety, NRA, law enforcement or other approved course that covers handgun safety, or through competition or military experience. Fees are $100 to the sheriff for a new license, $75 for renewal, and $15 to the State Police for the fingerprint check. The license is valid for four years.

Allowed without a license for adults not barred from having firearms; firearms carried openly in belt holsters are not 'concealed' under the unlawful possession law. Cities and counties may adopt ordinances banning or restricting loaded firearms in public places, but these do not apply to concealed handgun licensees and certain others.

A person may not sell, deliver or transfer any firearm to someone they know or should know is under 18. Possessing a firearm while under 18 is a crime. Exceptions: a parent or guardian, or someone with their consent, may give a minor a firearm other than a handgun, and a minor may have any firearm temporarily for hunting, target practice or another lawful purpose. Oregon statutes set no separate state minimum age of 21 for buying.

Yes. Private (non-dealer) transfers, including sales, gifts, loans and leases, generally must go through a gun dealer. Both parties appear in person with the firearm, and the dealer runs a State Police criminal background check on the buyer. If the parties live more than 40 miles apart, the seller may ship the gun to a dealer near the buyer. Exceptions include certain family transfers and temporary transfers (such as at a shooting range, while hunting, or in the owner's presence). Measure 114 (2022) also requires buyers to hold a permit-to-purchase, issued by the local police chief or sheriff after a fingerprint background check and a firearm safety course. Under 2026 Oregon Laws chapter 120 (HB 4145), that permit is not required for transfers until January 1, 2028.

Oregon has no state law that sets a waiting period of a fixed number of days. A dealer may not transfer a firearm until the Department of State Police gives a unique approval number for the background check, so delivery waits until the check is approved.

Yes. A law enforcement officer or a family or household member may petition a court for an extreme risk protection order barring a person from having, buying or receiving deadly weapons. The court must decide the petition the same day or the next judicial business day. An order lasts one year unless ended sooner, and may be renewed after a hearing if the petitioner proves by clear and convincing evidence that the risk continues.

Oregon has no state law that bans assault weapons. Measure 114 (2022) bans making, importing, possessing, using, buying, selling or transferring 'large-capacity magazines', meaning those holding more than 10 rounds. Magazines owned before December 8, 2022 are allowed under an affirmative defense if kept only at home, at a range, at a competition, or with a dealer or gunsmith. Under 2026 Oregon Laws chapter 120 (HB 4145), the magazine ban applies only to conduct on or after January 1, 2028. The Legislative Counsel note to the 2025 ORS edition states that a Harney County court permanently enjoined the measure (Arnold v. Kotek), and HB 4145 (approved April 7, 2026) refers to proceedings on Measure 114's constitutionality pending before the Oregon Supreme Court. Court challenges are pending; check current status.

Without a concealed handgun license, a handgun may not be concealed and readily accessible inside a vehicle. A handgun in the passenger compartment counts as readily accessible. In a vehicle with no storage outside the passenger compartment, a handgun is not readily accessible if it is in a closed, locked glove box, center console or other container with the key not in the lock. On motorcycles, ATVs and snowmobiles it must be in a locked container or have a trigger lock. Long guns are not covered by this vehicle rule.

Oregon does not honor other states' concealed carry permits. The exception from the concealed-carry ban covers only licenses issued by Oregon sheriffs. A sheriff may waive county residency for residents of neighboring states who have a compelling business interest or other legitimate need.

Possessing a firearm in or on a public building (which includes schools and the Capitol) is a Class C felony, as is possessing a firearm in a court facility. Concealed handgun licensees are exempt from the public building ban, but not in court facilities, and not where a policy removes their defense. Public universities, community colleges, school boards, and city, county or district governing bodies (for buildings used for official meetings) may adopt signed policies removing the licensee defense. In the Capitol, large airport terminals, and buildings or school grounds under those policies, a licensee who is caught faces a Class A misdemeanor instead of a felony. Unloaded firearms locked in a vehicle on school property are allowed.

Oregon bans making, importing, selling or transferring undetectable firearms (a Class B felony); possessing one is a Class A misdemeanor. It is also unlawful to possess, sell or transfer a firearm that does not have a serial number imprinted by a federally licensed manufacturer, importer, dealer or gunsmith. This is a Class B violation for a first offense, rising to a misdemeanor or felony for repeat offenses. Antiques, guns made before October 22, 1968 and permanently inoperable guns are exempt. People barred from having firearms may not possess unfinished frames or receivers.