Buying a Gun in Oregon
The age to buy a gun in Oregon, background checks for dealer and private sales, any waiting period, and rules on ghost guns.
Short answer: 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. ORS 166.470(1)(a), (3); 166.250(1)(c)(A), (2)(a)
| Age to buy a gun | 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. |
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| Background checks and private sales | 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. 2026 Or. Laws c. 120 (HB 4145), approved and effective April 7, 2026, moved the permit-to-purchase start to Jan. 1, 2028: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/lawsstatutes/2026orLaw0120.pdf. Measure 114 is also the subject of litigation (Arnold v. |
| Waiting period | 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. Reviewed ORS chapter 166 (2025 edition, all sections) and 2026 Or. Laws c. 120 on 2026-10-27; no fixed-day waiting period found. Stated as written in the 2025 ORS edition (Measure 114 version of § 166.412). |
| Ghost guns and homemade firearms | 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. Enacted by 2023 Or. Laws c. 229. |
More Oregon gun laws
- Concealed Carry in Oregon
- Open Carry in Oregon
- Red Flag Law and Weapon Limits in Oregon
- All Oregon gun laws rules
FAQ
How old do you have to be to buy a gun in Oregon?
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.
Do private gun sales need a background check in Oregon?
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.
Is there a waiting period to buy a gun in Oregon?
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.
Are ghost guns legal in Oregon?
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.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.