Whether you own a business that sells guns, a firing range that helps people perfect their shots or you are simply an individual Oregon citizen with a firearm, it’s important to keep up on the applicable laws. The lines between potential wrongdoing and legality can be slim in some areas of gun law, and the civil matters are even grayer.
The complexity isn’t helped by the overlapping and sometimes contradictory relationship between state, federal and local laws on the matter. That’s why it’s important to involve a legal professional if you are dealing with civil suits or appeals related to firearms.
Overall, Oregon’s laws are fairly loose when it comes to firearms if you compare them to many other states. In Oregon, you can openly carry a firearm and carry a concealed firearm with the right permit. In most cases, the state law trumps local laws on such issues. Therefore, you don’t have to worry as much when carrying a gun from city to city or county to county within the state.
Background checks are required for certain gun purchases, and not everyone in the state is allowed to own a gun. Minors can’t own a gun –- you have to be at least 18 years old. Inmates in an institution can’t own firearms, and neither can convicted felons. Someone convicted of a juvenile offense cannot own a gun within the next four years. Anyone who has been committed to a mental health facility for treatment or been declared mentally ill also cannot own a gun.
Individuals who want a concealed carry permit in the state have to apply through the local Sheriff’s office with two forms of applicable ID. They also have to pay a fee and reapply every four years. The application includes a State Police background check.
Source: FindLaw, “Oregon Gun Control Laws,” accessed Aug. 19, 2016
