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Last updated April 2026 · By Nick Hall, CCW instructor tracking Oregon’s shall-issue CHL system under ORS 166.291, the enjoined-pending-review Measure 114, the SB 243 (2025) concealed carry amendments, and the Sandoval-based no-duty-to-retreat standard
Disclaimer: This is an editorial round-up of Oregon gun laws. We do our best to make sure it’s correct, but do not rely on this as legal advice. Oregon firearms law is in active flux in 2026 due to Measure 114 litigation and SB 243 implementation. Consult an Oregon-licensed firearms attorney for any specific question.
- Treat every gun as loaded
- Point the muzzle in a safe direction
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot
- Know your target and what’s beyond
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Oregon Gun Laws in 2026: What You Need to Know
TL;DR: Oregon gun laws in 2026 sit in the restrictive-to-moderate tier and remain in legal flux. A Concealed Handgun License (CHL) under ORS 166.291 is required for concealed carry — shall-issue through county sheriffs but with “reasonable grounds” discretion. Measure 114 of 2022 (permit-to-purchase + 10-round magazine cap) is currently enjoined pending Oregon Supreme Court review, and HB 4145 of 2026 pushed implementation to January 1, 2028. SB 243 of 2025 (effective September 26, 2025) banned rapid-fire activators, added a 72-hour waiting period, raised the semi-auto purchase age to 21, and authorized local governments to prohibit carry in municipal buildings. No Stand Your Ground statute, but State v. Sandoval (2007) holds ORS 161.219 imposes no duty to retreat. ERPO red flag law under ORS 166.525 since 2018. No state preemption — cities like Portland and Multnomah County enforce local ordinances on top of state law.
Oregon gun laws are unusually complicated for a state that still operates a shall-issue CHL. Two 2020s reforms reshaped the landscape: Measure 114 (passed November 2022) and SB 243 (signed June 2025, effective September 26, 2025). Measure 114 created a permit-to-purchase requirement and a 10-round magazine cap, but has been tied up in litigation since it was enjoined in late 2022. The Oregon Court of Appeals reversed that lower-court ruling in early 2025, and the Oregon Supreme Court is currently hearing the final appeal. HB 4145 of the 2026 session pushed the statutory implementation date from March 15, 2026 to January 1, 2028, giving the State Police more time to build out the permit-issuance infrastructure.
SB 243 is already in effect. Signed by Governor Tina Kotek and effective September 26, 2025, it bans rapid-fire activators (bump stocks, forced-reset triggers, binary triggers), adds a 72-hour waiting period between the background check approval and transfer of a firearm, raises the semi-automatic rifle purchase age to 21, and explicitly authorizes cities, counties, and special districts to prohibit firearm possession in government-owned buildings with posted notice — even for valid CHL holders.
One structural quirk: Oregon is one of the few states that does NOT preempt local firearm ordinances. Cities including Portland, Beaverton, Corvallis, and Salem enforce their own restrictions on top of state law. Multnomah County has additional rules. Anyone carrying in Oregon needs to check both the state framework and the local jurisdiction they’re in.
Self-defense law runs through ORS 161.219 and the 2007 Oregon Supreme Court decision in State v. Sandoval, which held that ORS 161.219 imposes no duty to retreat. Oregon effectively recognizes Stand Your Ground through that decision, though there is no codified Stand Your Ground statute like those in Florida or Texas.
Whether you’re an Oregon resident, moving here, or passing through, this page covers the 2026 rules with statute citations and official sources. OR gun laws sit within our broader U.S. gun laws by state hub.
Oregon Gun Laws: The Highlights
TL;DR: Oregon gun laws require a CHL for concealed carry (shall-issue with discretion under ORS 166.291), operate the (enjoined-pending) Measure 114 permit-to-purchase / 10-round magazine cap, enforce SB 243 (2025) rapid-fire activator ban + 72-hour waiting period + age 21 for semi-autos, recognize no-duty-to-retreat through State v. Sandoval, and NOT preempt local firearm ordinances.
- Concealed Handgun License (CHL) required under ORS 166.291. Shall-issue through county sheriff — sheriff must issue unless “reasonable grounds” to deny. Age 21+, U.S. citizenship, competency demonstration, no disqualifying criminal history.
- Measure 114 (2022 ballot) permit-to-purchase and 10-round magazine cap remain enjoined pending Oregon Supreme Court ruling. HB 4145 of 2026 pushed implementation to January 1, 2028.
- SB 243 of 2025 (effective September 26, 2025): rapid-fire activator ban (bump stocks, forced-reset triggers, binary triggers), 72-hour waiting period between NICS approval and transfer, semi-auto purchase age raised to 21, local governments authorized to prohibit carry in municipal buildings.
- Open carry legal under state law for adults 18+ without permit — but Portland, Beaverton, Corvallis, Salem, and other cities ban open carry locally (no state preemption).
- Universal background checks under ORS 166.435. All private transfers except immediate family and hunting loans must run through a licensed dealer.
- No Stand Your Ground statute, but State v. Sandoval (2007) holds ORS 161.219 imposes no duty to retreat. Castle Doctrine through common law for defense of dwelling.
- Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) red flag law under ORS 166.525 et seq., effective January 1, 2018.
- Ghost gun / unserialized firearm restrictions under ORS 166.416 and SB 554.
- NO state preemption. Cities and counties can enact firearm ordinances stricter than state law. Check local rules before carrying in Portland, Multnomah County, Beaverton, Corvallis, Salem, and Eugene.
- NFA items (suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, pre-1986 machine guns) legal with federal ATF approval. Suppressor hunting permitted.
For the official state resource, see the Oregon State Police firearms page and your county sheriff’s CHL office.
Key Information at a Glance
Key Information: Oregon Gun Laws at a Glance (2026)
Fast answers first, with official sources at the bottom.
| Permitless Carry | No — CHL required for concealed |
|---|---|
| Open Carry | Legal statewide, banned in Portland + major cities |
| Concealed Carry | Shall-issue CHL with “reasonable grounds” discretion, 21+ |
| Purchase Permit (Measure 114) | Enjoined pending Oregon Supreme Court; implementation pushed to Jan 1, 2028 |
| Background Checks | Universal (all private transfers through FFL, ORS 166.435) |
| Waiting Period | 72 hours (SB 243 of 2025) |
| Firearm Registration | Not required |
| Magazine Capacity Limits | 10 rounds under Measure 114 (enjoined) |
| Assault Weapon Ban | No |
| Rapid-Fire Activators | Banned (SB 243 of 2025) |
| Red Flag Law | Yes (ERPO, ORS 166.525, effective 2018) |
| Stand Your Ground | Effectively yes (State v. Sandoval, ORS 161.219) |
| Castle Doctrine | Yes (common law + ORS 161.219(2)) |
| State Preemption | No — local ordinances apply (Portland, etc.) |
| NFA Items (Suppressors/SBRs) | Legal with federal ATF approval |
| Ghost Gun Restrictions | Yes (ORS 166.416, SB 554) |
Concealed Handgun License (CHL): ORS 166.291
TL;DR: The Oregon CHL under ORS 166.291 is the only legal path to concealed carry in Oregon. Shall-issue through county sheriffs, but sheriffs retain “reasonable grounds” discretion to deny. Age 21+, U.S. citizenship, Oregon residency, competency demonstration, no disqualifying criminal history. $50-$100 initial application fee depending on county, $50 renewal. Valid 4 years.
Requirements under ORS 166.291:
- U.S. citizen (or a specific category of legal resident)
- Age 21 or older
- Principal resident of the county of application
- No outstanding arrest warrants
- Not free on any form of pretrial release
- Demonstrated handgun competency (completed safety course, military service, prior law enforcement service, or similar)
- No felony convictions
- No misdemeanor conviction within 4 years (excluding minor traffic violations)
- No domestic violence protective orders
- Not a drug user (within the past year) or mentally adjudicated incompetent
The sheriff may deny the application if he or she has “reasonable grounds to believe that the applicant has been or is reasonably likely to be a danger to self or others, or to the community at large.” This residual discretion distinguishes Oregon’s CHL from pure shall-issue states. Denials can be appealed to circuit court.
Fees vary by county (typically $50-$100 initial, $50 renewal). License is valid for 4 years. SB 243 of 2025 authorized additional fee increases for permit renewal and additional training requirements.
Measure 114 and Its Current Status
TL;DR: Oregon Measure 114 (passed November 2022, 51%-49%) requires a permit-to-purchase for all firearms and caps magazines at 10 rounds. The law has been enjoined since late 2022 by a Harney County Circuit Court judge. The Oregon Court of Appeals reversed that ruling in early 2025, upholding the measure. The Oregon Supreme Court is hearing the appeal. HB 4145 of 2026 pushed statutory implementation to January 1, 2028 to allow the Oregon State Police to build permit infrastructure.
Measure 114 is the single most contested piece of Oregon firearms law. Key provisions as enacted:
- Permit-to-purchase. Every firearm purchase requires a state-issued permit before the sale can proceed. Permit requirements include fingerprints, completed background check, state-approved firearms safety training, a photo ID, and a fee.
- 10-round magazine cap. Bans the sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of magazines over 10 rounds, with grandfathering for those lawfully owned before the measure took effect.
- State Police issuance. Permits to be issued by the Oregon State Police.
Current status as of April 2026: the measure remains enjoined pending final ruling by the Oregon Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments in 2025. HB 4145 of the 2026 session pushed the statutory implementation date from March 15, 2026 to January 1, 2028, giving the state time to stand up the permit system if and when the Supreme Court ruling allows implementation. Until then, no permit-to-purchase is required and no magazine cap is enforced at the state level.
Gun owners should monitor the Oregon Supreme Court docket. If the measure is ultimately upheld, Oregon will become one of the most restrictive states in the country on purchasing.
SB 243 of 2025: The Latest Gun Law Changes
TL;DR: SB 243 of 2025 (“Community Safety Firearms Act”), signed by Governor Tina Kotek on June 10, 2025 and effective September 26, 2025, made four material changes to Oregon gun laws: banned rapid-fire activators, added a 72-hour waiting period between background check approval and firearm transfer, raised the semi-auto rifle purchase age to 21, and authorized local governments to prohibit firearm possession in government-owned buildings with posted notice.
- Rapid-fire activator ban. Bump stocks, forced-reset triggers (FRTs), binary triggers, burst-fire trigger systems, trigger cranks, “hellfire” triggers, auto-sears, and any device that increases the rate of fire beyond what a person can achieve unassisted. Possession is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 364 days jail, $6,250 fine).
- 72-hour waiting period. After a completed background check, firearm dealers must wait 72 hours before transferring the firearm to the buyer. This is a state-level waiting period on top of the federal NICS instant check.
- Semi-automatic rifle age 21. Raised the minimum purchase age for semi-automatic firearms (all semi-autos, not just “assault weapons”) to 21. Long-gun FFL transfers under 21 are now limited to bolt-action, pump-action, lever-action, and similar non-semi-auto firearms.
- Municipal building ban authority. Cities, counties, and special districts may prohibit firearm possession (including by valid CHL holders) in buildings they own or control if used for official public meetings. Must post clear signage and publish on official website. Carrying in a posted building is a Class A misdemeanor. Portland, Multnomah County, and several other jurisdictions have implemented restrictions under this authority.
SB 243 is already in effect and is being actively enforced. Unlike Measure 114, there is no significant pending litigation that would alter its provisions.
Open Carry in Oregon
TL;DR: Open carry is legal under Oregon state law for adults 18+ without permit — but because Oregon has NO state preemption, cities including Portland, Beaverton, Corvallis, Salem, and Eugene have banned open carry locally. Check the specific jurisdiction before open-carrying.
State law permits open carry of handguns and long guns for adults 18+ who can lawfully possess a firearm. No permit is required at the state level. However, Oregon is one of the few states that does not preempt local firearm ordinances. The result is a patchwork:
- Portland: Open carry prohibited within city limits (Portland City Code 14A.60.010). Concealed carry under CHL is permitted.
- Multnomah County: Additional restrictions on park/government-property carry.
- Beaverton, Corvallis, Salem, Eugene: Similar local open-carry ordinances.
- Rural and smaller counties: Open carry is routine and unrestricted.
The CHL exempts holders from most local open-carry bans, but not all. Always verify the local ordinance before relying on state law alone.
Purchasing a Firearm in Oregon
TL;DR: Oregon gun laws require universal background checks under ORS 166.435 (all private transfers except immediate family and temporary hunting loans must go through an FFL), plus a 72-hour waiting period under SB 243. If Oregon Measure 114 is upheld and implemented (target January 1, 2028), a permit-to-purchase will also be required.
Step-by-step for a first-time Oregon buyer in 2026:
- Choose a licensed dealer. Private sales (except immediate family or temporary hunting/sporting loans) must run through an FFL. For local shops, see our best gun stores in Oregon guide.
- Complete ATF Form 4473. Required at FFL dealers.
- Pass the background check. Oregon runs state-level background checks through Oregon State Police in addition to federal NICS.
- Wait 72 hours. SB 243 of 2025 requires a 72-hour waiting period between the completed background check and the firearm transfer.
- Take delivery. After 72 hours, the dealer may transfer the firearm.
- Future Measure 114 permit requirement (paused until Jan 1, 2028 at earliest). If implementation proceeds, buyers will need a state-issued permit before any firearm purchase.
Private sales between Oregon residents must go through an FFL under ORS 166.435 with limited exceptions for immediate family members and temporary loans for lawful hunting or sporting purposes.
No State Preemption: Why Local Oregon Gun Laws Matter
TL;DR: Oregon does NOT preempt local firearm ordinances. Cities and counties are free to enact firearm rules stricter than state law, and many do. Portland, Multnomah County, Beaverton, Corvallis, Salem, and Eugene all have local restrictions. SB 243 of 2025 expanded local authority further.
This is one of Oregon’s defining quirks. Most states have strong preemption statutes that block local firearm ordinances (see Ohio’s ORC 9.68 or Kansas’s K.S.A. 75-7c11). Oregon does not. The result is that state-level rules are a floor, not a ceiling, and anyone carrying in Oregon must also check the local jurisdiction.
Common local restrictions:
- Portland: Open carry ban citywide; additional firearm-discharge restrictions
- Multnomah County: Firearm possession restrictions on county property
- Beaverton, Salem, Corvallis, Eugene: Various local ordinances on open carry, discharge, and municipal property
- Any city/county/special district under SB 243: May post government-owned public-meeting buildings as no-firearms zones
Oregon gun owners who move between jurisdictions need to stay current on local rules. The state law is the baseline; the local ordinance is what you actually have to follow.
Federal Law Still Sets the Ceiling
TL;DR: Oregon’s framework operates inside federal constraints. NFA rules, federal prohibited-person lists, and gun-free federal buildings apply regardless of state law.
Oregon cannot override federal firearm law. Federal prohibited-person rules under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) always apply. Federal buildings remain gun-free zones under 18 U.S.C. § 930. NFA items (suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, machine guns, AOWs, destructive devices) require ATF approval through Form 4.
Reciprocity: Out-of-State Permits
Oregon Concealed Carry at a Glance
Constitutional carry: No
Honors non-resident permits: No — out-of-state permits not honored
Classification: No reciprocity
Map base: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA). Color overlay and reciprocity data by USA Gun Shop.
Can I Carry in Oregon?
Select your home state to see if your permit authorizes carry in Oregon.
TL;DR: Oregon does not recognize any other state’s concealed carry permit. Non-residents cannot legally carry concealed in Oregon unless they obtain an Oregon CHL (residency required) or hold a permit from Idaho, Utah, or specific narrow circumstances under ORS 166.260. The Oregon CHL is recognized in approximately 20 states through reciprocity.
Oregon is functionally a zero-reciprocity state for most purposes. ORS 166.260 provides a narrow exemption for residents of Alaska and certain other states whose laws are “substantially similar” to Oregon’s, but the practical effect is that out-of-state visitors generally cannot carry concealed in Oregon with their home-state permit.
The Oregon CHL is recognized in approximately 20 states — lower than most states’ reciprocity footprint because Oregon’s CHL standards differ from typical “pro-gun state” expectations. The Oregon Department of Justice maintains the current list.
Oregon Gun Laws for Out-of-State Visitors
TL;DR: Oregon does not honor most states’ concealed carry permits. Visitors generally cannot carry concealed in Oregon without an Oregon CHL. Federal FOPA transport rules apply for through-travel: unloaded, locked, inaccessible, traveling continuously between two states where possession is legal. Open carry is legal at the state level for non-resident adults 18+ but banned in Portland and other major cities due to no state preemption.
If you’re visiting Oregon with a firearm, your options are limited. Oregon does not recognize most out-of-state permits. Federal FOPA transport (18 U.S.C. § 926A) allows passing through Oregon with the firearm unloaded, locked in a separate container, and inaccessible from the passenger compartment, as long as you’re traveling continuously between two states where possession is legal. Open carry is legal at the state level but banned in Portland, Beaverton, Corvallis, Salem, Eugene, and other jurisdictions that have local bans.
Moving to Oregon with Firearms
TL;DR: Bring your firearms to Oregon, but plan for three layers of rules: state law (universal background checks, 72-hour waiting period, rapid-fire activator ban), local ordinance (Portland and other cities have additional restrictions), and Measure 114 if implemented (January 1, 2028 target). Apply for a CHL with your new county sheriff once you establish residency. No state-level firearm registration.
Relocating to Oregon with firearms requires planning. Out-of-state firearms are legal to bring in as long as you can lawfully possess them under federal law. Magazines over 10 rounds are not currently restricted at the state level (Measure 114 enjoined), but check local ordinances. Rapid-fire activators (bump stocks, FRTs, binary triggers) must be surrendered or destroyed — SB 243 makes possession a Class A misdemeanor. Once you establish Oregon residency, apply for a CHL with your new county sheriff if you want to carry concealed.
Where You Can’t Carry
TL;DR: Oregon gun laws prohibit concealed or open carry in certain listed locations under ORS 166.370 and related statutes, plus any locally-posted government building under SB 243 of 2025. Local jurisdictions (Portland, Multnomah County, Beaverton, etc.) add their own restrictions because Oregon has no state preemption.
Prohibited Places in Oregon
Oregon gun laws are complicated: a shall-issue CHL coexists with Measure 114 (2022 ballot) permit-to-purchase and 10-round magazine cap that remain enjoined pending the Oregon Supreme Court, SB 243 (2025) new concealed carry restrictions, and NO state preemption so local ordinances apply.
- K-12 schools and school grounds
- School-sponsored events
- Colleges and universities
- Courthouses and courtrooms
- State Capitol
- State/local government buildings
- City halls, county buildings, public libraries, community centers (where the local government has posted no-firearms notice under SB 243)
- Airport secure areas per TSA regulations
- Federal courthouses, post offices, agency offices
- Portland, Multnomah County, Beaverton, Corvallis, Salem: review local ordinances for concealed/open carry restrictions
- Oregon has NO state preemption so municipal rules apply on top of state law
- Posted private property where owner has communicated a no-firearms policy
Two important nuances: (1) SB 243 of 2025 authorized every city, county, and special district in Oregon to prohibit firearm possession in government-owned buildings used for official public meetings, even for valid CHL holders. Many jurisdictions have enacted such ordinances. (2) Oregon’s lack of state preemption means local ordinances add another layer of restrictions on top of state law — check Portland, Multnomah County, and other city codes before carrying locally.
Oregon Self-Defense Laws: ORS 161.219 and State v. Sandoval
TL;DR: Oregon does not have a codified Stand Your Ground statute, but the 2007 Oregon Supreme Court decision in State v. Sandoval (342 Or 506) held that ORS 161.219 imposes no duty to retreat. Oregonians may stand their ground when faced with imminent deadly force. Castle Doctrine is recognized through common law and ORS 161.219(2) for defense of dwelling.
ORS 161.219 Oregon Limitations on Use of Deadly Physical Force in Defense of a PersonNotwithstanding the provisions of ORS 161.209, a person is not justified in using deadly physical force upon another person unless the person reasonably believes that the other person is: (1) Committing or attempting to commit a felony involving the use or threatened imminent use of physical force against a person; or (2) Committing or attempting to commit a burglary in a dwelling; or (3) Using or about to use unlawful deadly physical force against a person. [Per State v. Sandoval, 342 Or 506 (2007), the Oregon Supreme Court held ORS 161.219 imposes no duty to retreat before using deadly force — a person may stand their ground when faced with imminent deadly force.]
Oregon concealed carry operates alongside a self-defense framework that combines statute and case law:
- ORS 161.219, Limitations on Use of Deadly Physical Force. A person is not justified in using deadly physical force against another unless the person reasonably believes the other is committing or attempting a felony involving physical force, committing or attempting a burglary in a dwelling, or using or about to use unlawful deadly physical force.
- State v. Sandoval, 342 Or 506 (2007). The Oregon Supreme Court held that ORS 161.219 “contains no specific reference to ‘retreat’, ‘escape,’ or ‘other means of avoiding’ a deadly confrontation” and imposes no duty to retreat before using deadly force. This effectively establishes Stand Your Ground through case law.
- Castle Doctrine. ORS 161.219(2) specifically protects defense against burglary in a dwelling. Oregon common law recognizes the occupant’s right to defend the home without retreat.
- Not an initial aggressor. Self-defense protections do not apply if the defender provoked the confrontation or was engaged in criminal activity.
Unlike Florida or Texas, Oregon does not offer civil immunity for justified uses of force — a successful self-defense claim in a criminal case does not automatically bar a civil suit by the attacker or the attacker’s estate.
Magazine Capacity and Assault Weapons
TL;DR: Oregon has no assault weapons ban. Magazine capacity cap of 10 rounds was enacted by Measure 114 (2022) but remains enjoined pending Oregon Supreme Court ruling. Implementation pushed to January 1, 2028. Rapid-fire activators (bump stocks, FRTs, binary triggers) are banned under SB 243 of 2025.
As of April 2026, Oregon has no enforceable state-level magazine cap and no assault weapons ban. Standard 30-round AR-15 magazines, 17-round Glock magazines, and drum magazines are legal to possess and use, pending the Oregon Supreme Court’s final ruling on Measure 114.
Separately, rapid-fire activators ARE banned under SB 243 of 2025 — this includes bump stocks, forced-reset triggers, binary triggers, and any device that increases the rate of fire. Possession is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail.
NFA Items: Suppressors, SBRs, and Machine Guns
TL;DR: NFA items (suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, pre-1986 machine guns) are legal in Oregon with proper federal ATF approval. Suppressor hunting permitted under Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife rules. The federal $200 tax stamp was eliminated for suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs effective January 1, 2026 under the OBBBA.
Oregon does not add state-level restrictions to federal NFA items. Ownership of suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, destructive devices, and lawfully registered pre-1986 civilian machine guns requires the standard ATF Form 4 process. Suppressor hunting is permitted under Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations.
Effective January 1, 2026, the federal $200 transfer tax for suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs was eliminated under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) of 2025. The Form 4 process, background check, and registration requirements remain in place.
Red Flag Law: Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO)
TL;DR: Oregon’s Extreme Risk Protection Order law under ORS 166.525 et seq. took effect January 1, 2018 (SB 719 of 2017). Family members, household members, and law enforcement officers can petition courts to temporarily remove firearms from a person deemed a risk. Initial orders last up to 1 year and can be renewed.
Oregon’s ERPO framework operates on two tracks:
- Ex parte ERPO. Issued based on affidavit evidence of imminent risk. Short duration pending a full hearing.
- Final ERPO. Issued after notice and hearing. Valid for up to 1 year and renewable. Respondent must surrender all firearms and concealed handgun licenses to law enforcement.
A 2023 Oregon Secretary of State audit found the ERPO process is used relatively rarely — only a few hundred petitions per year statewide. The framework is enforceable but not aggressively pursued by most agencies.
Ghost Guns and Privately-Manufactured Firearms
TL;DR: Oregon prohibits unserialized privately-manufactured firearms under ORS 166.416 and SB 554. Any firearm manufactured after the statute’s effective date must bear a serial number and be transferred through an FFL.
Oregon’s ghost gun framework aligns with the ATF’s 2022 Final Rule and adds state-specific criminal penalties. Manufacture, possession, sale, or transfer of unserialized firearms (including 80% receivers and printed polymer firearms) is prohibited without serialization through a licensed FFL.
Recent Changes (2022-2026)
TL;DR: Oregon gun laws have shifted substantially since 2022. Measure 114 passed at the ballot in November 2022 (currently enjoined pending Oregon Supreme Court). SB 243 of 2025 (effective September 26, 2025) banned rapid-fire activators, added a 72-hour waiting period, raised the semi-auto purchase age to 21, and authorized local municipal building carry bans. HB 4145 of 2026 pushed Measure 114 implementation to January 1, 2028.
- February 2026: HB 4145 of 2026 passes the Oregon Legislature, pushing Measure 114 statutory implementation from March 15, 2026 to January 1, 2028. Gives State Police more time to build permit infrastructure.
- January 1, 2026: Federal OBBBA takes effect eliminating the $200 NFA tax stamp for suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs.
- September 26, 2025: SB 243 takes effect. Rapid-fire activator ban, 72-hour waiting period, semi-auto purchase age 21, local municipal building carry ban authority.
- June 10, 2025: Governor Tina Kotek signs SB 243 into law.
- Early 2025: Oregon Court of Appeals reverses 2023 Harney County ruling on Measure 114, holding the measure constitutional. State Supreme Court hears the appeal.
- November 2023: Harney County Circuit Court rules Measure 114 unconstitutional.
- December 2022: Federal court ruling allows Measure 114 under U.S. Constitution; Harney County judge blocks it at the state level.
- November 2022: Voters pass Measure 114 by 51%-49% margin.
For current legislative tracking, see the Oregon Legislative Information System.
Our Take
TL;DR: Oregon gun laws (OR gun laws) sit in the restrictive-to-moderate tier and are getting more restrictive. SB 243 is actively enforced; Measure 114 looms pending Oregon Supreme Court ruling. No state preemption means Portland, Multnomah County, and other cities add additional rules. Stand Your Ground exists through case law (Sandoval), not statute. If you live in or travel to Oregon, you need to track three layers: state, local, and pending litigation.
For practical everyday purposes, Oregon gun laws require more compliance work than most western states. Universal background checks, 72-hour waiting period, rapid-fire activator ban, CHL with residual sheriff discretion, and a highly varied local-ordinance landscape all sit above the baseline. The single biggest variable for gun owners in 2026-2028 is whether Measure 114’s permit-to-purchase and 10-round magazine cap are ultimately upheld by the Oregon Supreme Court. If they are, Oregon joins California and New York as a most-restrictive-tier state.
Practical takeaways for an Oregon gun owner:
- Get the CHL. Oregon concealed carry is the only reliable path — open carry is banned in Portland and several other cities. The CHL also exempts you from most local open-carry bans.
- Know your local ordinance. Portland, Multnomah County, Beaverton, Corvallis, Salem, and Eugene all have local firearm rules. State law is the floor; local rule is what you have to follow.
- Plan for SB 243’s 72-hour waiting period. Don’t expect same-day FFL pickup. Budget time for the waiting period and any Measure 114 permit if implementation resumes.
- Dispose of any rapid-fire activators. Bump stocks, FRTs, binary triggers are Class A misdemeanors as of September 2025. Surrender or destroy before crossing the state line.
- Monitor Measure 114 litigation. If upheld and implemented (target 2028), the permit-to-purchase and 10-round magazine cap reshape the state.
- Know your self-defense rights. State v. Sandoval established no duty to retreat. Oregon is effectively Stand Your Ground through case law even though there is no codified SYG statute.
Bookmark the Oregon State Police firearms page and ORS Chapter 166 for current law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to carry concealed in Oregon?
Yes. Oregon gun laws require a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) under ORS 166.291 for concealed carry. The CHL is shall-issue through the county sheriff, but the sheriff retains discretion to deny if "reasonable grounds" exist to believe the applicant is a danger to self or others. Requirements include U.S. citizenship, age 21+, Oregon residency in the county of application, competency demonstration, no felony convictions, no misdemeanor within 4 years, and no disqualifying protective orders or mental health adjudications. Fees run $50-$100 depending on county, valid 4 years. Denials can be appealed to circuit court.
What is the status of Oregon Measure 114?
Measure 114 (passed November 2022, 51%-49%) requires a permit-to-purchase for all firearms and caps magazines at 10 rounds. It has been enjoined since late 2022 by a Harney County Circuit Court judge who ruled it unconstitutional. The Oregon Court of Appeals reversed that ruling in early 2025, upholding the measure. The Oregon Supreme Court is currently hearing the final appeal. HB 4145 of 2026 pushed statutory implementation from March 15, 2026 to January 1, 2028 to give the Oregon State Police time to build the permit-issuance infrastructure. As of April 2026, no permit-to-purchase is required and no state-level magazine cap is enforced.
What did SB 243 of 2025 change about Oregon gun laws?
SB 243 ("Community Safety Firearms Act"), signed by Governor Tina Kotek on June 10, 2025 and effective September 26, 2025, made four material changes: (1) banned rapid-fire activators including bump stocks, forced-reset triggers, binary triggers, and any device that increases the rate of fire (Class A misdemeanor); (2) added a 72-hour waiting period between completed background check and firearm transfer; (3) raised the semi-automatic rifle purchase age to 21; and (4) authorized cities, counties, and special districts to prohibit firearm possession in government-owned buildings used for public meetings with posted notice, even for valid CHL holders. SB 243 is already in effect and being actively enforced.
Does Oregon have Stand Your Ground?
Effectively yes, through case law. Oregon does not have a codified Stand Your Ground statute, but the 2007 Oregon Supreme Court decision in State v. Sandoval, 342 Or 506, held that ORS 161.219 imposes no duty to retreat before using deadly force. The court ruled that ORS 161.219 contains no specific reference to retreat, escape, or other means of avoiding a deadly confrontation and therefore does not impose any such requirement. Castle Doctrine is recognized through ORS 161.219(2) (burglary in a dwelling) and common law. Oregon does not offer civil immunity for justified uses of force, unlike Florida or Texas.
Does Oregon recognize other states' concealed carry permits?
No, for most states. Oregon is functionally a zero-reciprocity state. ORS 166.260 provides narrow exemptions for residents of certain states with substantially similar laws, but the practical effect is that visitors generally cannot carry concealed in Oregon with their home-state permit. The Oregon CHL itself is recognized in approximately 20 other states through reciprocity — a relatively narrow footprint. Federal FOPA (18 U.S.C. § 926A) allows through-travel with firearms unloaded, locked, and inaccessible.
Does Oregon have universal background checks?
Yes. Under ORS 166.435 (enacted by SB 941 of 2015), all private firearm transfers except immediate family and temporary loans for lawful hunting or sporting purposes must go through a licensed FFL for a background check. This is on top of the federal NICS check that applies to all FFL purchases. SB 243 of 2025 added a 72-hour waiting period between the completed background check and the actual firearm transfer.
Does Oregon have a red flag law?
Yes. Oregon's Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law under ORS 166.525 et seq. took effect January 1, 2018 under SB 719 of 2017. Family members, household members, and law enforcement officers can petition the court to temporarily remove firearms from a person deemed a risk to themselves or others. Initial orders last up to 1 year and can be renewed. Respondents must surrender all firearms and their concealed handgun license to law enforcement while the order is in effect. A 2023 Oregon Secretary of State audit found the ERPO process is used relatively sparingly — only a few hundred petitions per year statewide.
Why do Portland and other Oregon cities have different gun rules than the rest of the state?
Because Oregon is one of the few states that does NOT preempt local firearm ordinances. Most states have strong preemption statutes (see Ohio ORC 9.68 or Kansas K.S.A. 75-7c11) that block cities and counties from enacting firearm rules stricter than state law. Oregon does not. Portland, Multnomah County, Beaverton, Corvallis, Salem, and Eugene all enforce local ordinances on top of state law, primarily prohibiting open carry within city limits and restricting firearms on municipal property. SB 243 of 2025 further expanded local authority by explicitly authorizing cities, counties, and special districts to prohibit carry in government-owned public-meeting buildings. Always check the specific jurisdiction before carrying — state law is the floor, local rule is what you have to follow.
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