Oregon Gun Laws

[Donny1]

I'm going to Medford Oregon over Christmas and I was trying to get info on carry and vehicle gun storage laws.

Am I correct you can carry loaded in a car as long as it's not concealed, within reach? And open carry in public? Which I won't do anyway. I have CA ccw so right up to the border I will be loaded. Assuming locked in the trunk is fine but loaded there is ok as well? That's the way I read it but want to be sure.

[Quiet]

Oregon does not honor other State permits.

Oregon does issue non-resident OR permits.

If you do not have a valid OR CCW permit, it is legal to have a loaded handgun in your vehicle as long as it is not concealed on your person or concealed and readily accessible. [ORS 166.250]

Open carry is legal in cities/counties that do not ban it.
If a city/county bans the open carry of firearms, then that also includes having a loaded firearm in your vehicle.


Medford OR has an ordinance that prohibits having a handgun concealed and readily accessible in your vehicle. [MMC 5.154]



Oregon Revised Statue 166.250
Unlawful possession of firearms.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section or ORS 166.260, 166.270, 166.273, 166.274, 166.291, 166.292 or 166.410 to 166.470, a person commits the crime of unlawful possession of a firearm if the person knowingly:
(a) Carries any firearm concealed upon the person;
(b) Possesses a handgun that is concealed and readily accessible to the person within any vehicle; or
(c) Possesses a firearm and:
(A) Is under 18 years of age;
(B)(i) While a minor, was found to be within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court for having committed an act which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a felony or a misdemeanor involving violence, as defined in ORS 166.470; and
(ii) Was discharged from the jurisdiction of the juvenile court within four years prior to being charged under this section;
(C) Has been convicted of a felony;
(D) Was committed to the Oregon Health Authority under ORS 426.130;
(E) Was found to be a person with mental illness and subject to an order under ORS 426.130 that the person be prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm as a result of that mental illness;
(F) Is presently subject to an order under ORS 426.133 prohibiting the person from purchasing or possessing a firearm;
(G) Has been found guilty except for insanity under ORS 161.295 of a felony; or
(H) The possession of the firearm by the person is prohibited under ORS 166.255.
(2) This section does not prohibit:
(a) A minor, who is not otherwise prohibited under subsection (1)(c) of this section, from possessing a firearm:
(A) Other than a handgun, if the firearm was transferred to the minor by the minor’s parent or guardian or by another person with the consent of the minor’s parent or guardian; or
(B) Temporarily for hunting, target practice or any other lawful purpose; or
(b) Any citizen of the United States over the age of 18 years who resides in or is temporarily sojourning within this state, and who is not within the excepted classes prescribed by ORS 166.270 and subsection (1) of this section, from owning, possessing or keeping within the person’s place of residence or place of business any handgun, and no permit or license to purchase, own, possess or keep any such firearm at the person’s place of residence or place of business is required of any such citizen. As used in this subsection, “residence” includes a recreational vessel or recreational vehicle while used, for whatever period of time, as residential quarters.
(3) Firearms carried openly in belt holsters are not concealed within the meaning of this section.
(4)(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection, a handgun is readily accessible within the meaning of this section if the handgun is within the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
(b) If a vehicle, other than a vehicle described in paragraph (c) of this subsection, has no storage location that is outside the passenger compartment of the vehicle, a handgun is not readily accessible within the meaning of this section if:
(A) The handgun is stored in a closed and locked glove compartment, center console or other container; and
(B) The key is not inserted into the lock, if the glove compartment, center console or other container unlocks with a key.
(c) If the vehicle is a motorcycle, an all-terrain vehicle or a snowmobile, a handgun is not readily accessible within the meaning of this section if:
(A) The handgun is in a locked container within or affixed to the vehicle; or
(B) The handgun is equipped with a trigger lock or other locking mechanism that prevents the discharge of the firearm.
(5) Unlawful possession of a firearm is a Class A misdemeanor.

Medford Municipal Code 5.154
(1) Except where ORS Ch. 166 provides to the contrary, a person commits the crime of unlawful possession of a firearm if the person knowingly:
(a) Carries any firearm concealed upon the person; or
(b) Possesses a handgun that is concealed and readily accessible to the person within any vehicle.
(2) This section does not prohibit any citizen of the United States over the age of 18 who resides in or is temporarily sojourning within this state, and who is not within the excepted classes prescribed by ORS 166.270, from owning, possessing or keeping within the person's place of residence or place of business any pistol, revolver or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person, and no permit or license to purchase, own, possess or keep any such firearm at the person's place of residence or place of business is required of any such citizen. As used in this subsection, "residence" includes a recreational vessel or recreational vehicle while used, for whatever period of time, as residential quarters.
(3) Firearms carried openly in belt holsters are not concealed within the meaning of this section.
(4) “Firearm” means a weapon, by whatever name known, which is designed to expel a projectile by the action of powder and which is readily capable of use as a weapon.
(5) “Handgun” means any pistol or revolver using a fixed cartridge containing a propellant charge, primer and projectile, and designed to be aimed or fired otherwise than from the shoulder.
(6) Unlawful possession of a firearm is a crime punishable as prescribed by Section 5.990(1).

[Ocdlaw]

Oregon does issue non-resident permits to residents of neighboring states.

[9Cal_OC]

Originally Posted by Ocdlaw

Oregon does issue non-resident permits to residents of neighboring states.

Probably not fast enough for OP.

But OP, once you’re there, definitely consider applying.

[stag6.8]

Originally Posted by Donny1

I'm going to Medford Oregon over Christmas and I was trying to get info on carry and vehicle gun storage laws.

Am I correct you can carry loaded in a car as long as it's not concealed, within reach? And open carry in public? Which I won't do anyway. I have CA ccw so right up to the border I will be loaded. Assuming locked in the trunk is fine but loaded there is ok as well? That's the way I read it but want to be sure.

If you do consider applying for a non resident permit there ..please keep us informed of your progress ...I'm going up there next spring to apply..

[Librarian]

Medford is in Jackson County. See their page on CHL - https://jacksoncountyor.org/sheriff/...ndgun-Licenses, especially

NEW & RENEWALS
If you are inquiring about an out of state CHL holder, please email us. In the email you must provide a compelling reason as to why you need an Oregon CHL. Traveling to and from the state for vacation is NOT considered a valid reason. You must live in a contiguous state of Oregon. This email must be submitted and approved prior to applying for a CHL for all out of state applicants.

Other counties are different, so shop around.

[Donny1]

Thanks all, lots of good info.

[9Cal_OC]

Klamath county will issue. Call for an appt.

[BAJ475]

I understand that Oregon has their problems with M114 but is there not a problem with their compelling reason requirement after NYSRPA v Bruen, at least for those sheriffs that take the position that self defense is insufficient?

[9Cal_OC]

Originally Posted by BAJ475

I understand that Oregon has their problems with M114 but is there not a problem with their compelling reason requirement after NYSRPA v Bruen, at least for those sheriffs that take the position that self defense is insufficient?

Well OR doesn’t have to issue to non-residents. Some counties in OR flat out do not issue to non-res while others require a reason.

Look at some of the anti-2A states that don’t even issue to non-res, like CA.

Not saying it’s right but it’s happening.