Buying A Handgun
Actually purchasing a firearm isn’t too big of a hassle in Oregon, when it comes to handguns, especially compared to states like California or New York. You can’t just walk right in and grab a gun off the shelf, but it’s almost as easy. To buy a handgun in Oregon, you must:- Be 21 or older;
- Provide state ID; and
- Go through a background check when purchasing a firearm from a firearms dealer.
But Wait…
Even if you meet the requirements for buying a handgun, there are still some situations where you would be prohibited from buying a firearm. You cannot buy a firearm (including handguns), if you:- Are a convicted felon;
- Were convicted of a misdemeanor involving violence or found guilty in the last 4 years;
- Are listed in the Health Division Registry;
- Have been committed to the Department of Human Services;
- Have outstanding felony warrants for arrest; or
- Are free on any type of pretrial release for a felony.
What About Long Guns?
While you’re out buying that new handgun, you might also want to pick up a long gun too. The requirements to buy long guns are similar to those for handguns but actually less restrictive. To buy a long gun, you must:- Be 18 or older;
- Provide ID; and
- Go through a background check when purchasing a firearm from a firearms dealer.
For Our Antique Collectors…
Good news! None of the laws on buying handguns or long guns apply to antique or replica firearms! But you’ll need to make sure the gun you want to buy actually qualifies as an antique or replica before you head out to buy it. An antique firearm is a firearm made before 1899, or any replica of a gun made before 1899, that is not designed or redesigned for fixed ammunition, or uses ammunition that is no longer made in the US and not readily available through normal purchase. If you need to go to a specialty dealer in order to buy ammunition for that flintlock replica, you should be in the clear. To be even safer, go buy an actual flintlock made before 1899 and you’ll have no problems at all!
What About The Children?
Don’t worry kids! Even if you don’t meet the age requirement, you can still temporarily use a firearm in some situations. A parent, guardian, or some other person who has permission from a parent or guardian can lend you a shotgun or rifle for the purposes of hunting and target shooting. That means you can take a course on firearms safety or go hunting with your parents, or anyone with permission from your parents, even before you are old enough to buy a rifle yourself. So be nice to your parents!
Have gun, will carry
Being a gun-friendly state, Oregon allows for open carry of firearms. Open carry does not mean you have to hold the firearm in your hands so everyone can see. If you have your handgun in a holster, as long as the holster is clearly visible, you are considered to be carrying openly. If you’d rather tuck your handgun inside your waistband covered by a jacket, you’ll need to get a concealed carry permit to do that. There are a few steps that are involved in getting a CCW permit, and some additional laws to watch out for. Anyone interested in carrying concealed should hop over to our Oregon CCW section once you’re done here and learn all about it! Of course, there are some situations where you can carry concealed and not need a CCW permit. Carrying concealed without a permit is allowed by:- People carrying handguns at home or at their place of business;
- Members of a shooting club while at the range or going to and from a range; and
- Licensed hunters or fishermen, while actually hunting or fishing, or going to and from a hunting or fishing trip.
On the road again
Because open carry is allowed, when you are transporting your gun, and don’t fall into any of the categories where concealed carry is allowed, you can have your firearm in the vehicle, as long as it is openly visible. Leaving the gun on the passenger seat isn’t the safest way to go about it, but maybe a gun rack in the center console would do the trick while keeping the firearm visible.But when you’re on a snowmobile…
You need to ignore all those rules about transporting firearms when it comes to snowmobiles. It is illegal to have a loaded firearm on a snowmobile. You will need to keep your guns unloaded when riding around, or you’ll have to leave the gun at home.When to use your gun
Hopefully, you will only ever have to use your firearms at the shooting range and while hunting. In case you ever need to defend yourself though, Oregon does have laws on use of deadly force in self-defense situations.Protecting the Castle
Under what is commonly known as the “Castle Doctrine,” Oregon allows for use of deadly force if you reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent arson or a felony by force and violence by someone who has trespassed onto your property. The key thing to keep in mind is that you cannot use deadly force to defend your property. The use of deadly force is allowed to prevent arson or harm to yourself or others. If someone breaks into your car while you’re asleep in the bedroom, you cannot shoot at them. If they are breaking into your bedroom while you’re sleeping, then defend yourself however you need to.
Standing your ground
Even when you’re not at home, Oregon also has what is called the “Stand Your Ground” law. Essentially, the Stand Your Ground law allows you to use deadly force if you reasonably believe someone is:- Committing or attempting to commit a felony involving the use or threatened use of physical force against someone else; or
- Using or about to use deadly force against someone.
