Oregon lawmakers advanced two bills that could tighten regulations on gun dealers and double the cost to legally buy a firearm.
HB 3076 outlined new policies that would impact gun dealers in the state. The 27-page bill included new regulations on insurance, fees, and compliance.
Among the new mandates would be a fee structure based on the dealer’s yearly sales volume. Fees would start at $50 for those selling under 50 firearms a year and would top out at $1,500 for those selling more than 1,000.
Additionally, the bill lays out inspections that FFLs must comply with, including unannounced inspections of retailers and scheduled inspections for dealers. Licensees would also be inspected at least once every three years.
Dealers would also be required to carry a $1 million insurance policy. For those who refuse, a civil fine of up to $5,000 per occurrence would be imposed.
The bill also states that now, even home-based FFLs must install digital video surveillance that records any time a customer is present. Every gun transfer would be recorded, and FFLs must maintain a video copy of that transaction for three years.
On top of video surveillance records, FFLs who sell more than 10 guns per year would also be required to use an electronic record-keeping system with daily off-site backup. Dealers would need to record specific information like serial numbers of all guns sold, date of sale, identity of the buyer, and details of the purchase permit. That is in addition to the documents required per the “Bound Book” and the federal Form 4473.
Finally, FFL employees would be forced to undergo specific firearm and ammunition handling training and must complete a state-certified training course; however, no such course currently exists in Oregon. Employees would also be subject to fingerprinting, a criminal history background check, and occasional rechecks.
That’s not the only bill lawmakers are considering, though. HB 3075 would increase the permit-to-purchase fee from $65 to $150, with renewals moving from $50 to $110.
Gun rights activists warned that the two bills would severely limit the public’s ability to purchase and own firearms, but HB 3076 sponsor Rep. Jason Kropf, D-Bend, said it’s about public safety. According to Kropf, the goal of the bill is “for all of us to live in a safe community.”
“I think that is a necessary thing to make sure that folks who are safe with firearms are allowed to possess firearms,” Kropf said in a committee hearing, as reported by The Statesman Journal.
But the Oregon Firearms Federation said that’s just not true.
“Together these bills will make it virtually impossible to purchase firearms in Oregon,” the group said in a statement. “These bills are the most extreme bills Oregon has ever considered and have one purpose, to end lawful firearms transfers in the state. If the Republicans allow these bills to pass gun rights in Oregon will be close to non existent.”
If implemented, the bills would go into effect January 1, 2027.
The pair of bills now make their way to the House floor for further consideration.
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