Carrying A Firearm
ORS 166.250 and ORS 166.291 — concealed carry takes a license; a belt holster worn openly is not concealed
Stopped while carrying, the sections this page reads say, in short:
- Knowingly having a handgun that is concealed and readily accessible within a vehicle is unlawful possession of a firearm, a Class A misdemeanor, unless an exception applies.
- A person licensed to carry a concealed handgun is one of the exceptions.
- A handgun within the passenger compartment of a vehicle is readily accessible.
- Where a vehicle has no storage outside the passenger compartment, a handgun in a closed and locked glove compartment, center console or other container, with the key out of the lock, is not readily accessible.
- Firearms carried openly in belt holsters are not concealed.
Concealed takes a license. In Oregon, knowingly carrying any firearm concealed upon the person, or having a handgun that is concealed and readily accessible within a vehicle, is unlawful possession of a firearm, a Class A misdemeanor, unless an exception applies. A person licensed to carry a concealed handgun is one of the exceptions.
Firearms carried openly in belt holsters are not concealed within the meaning of the section. In a vehicle, a handgun within the passenger compartment is readily accessible. Where a vehicle has no storage outside the passenger compartment, a handgun is not readily accessible if it is in a closed and locked glove compartment, center console or other container, with the key out of the lock.
At home or at work, a citizen over the age of 18 who is not in one of the excepted classes may own, possess or keep a handgun within the person's residence or place of business, and no permit or license is required for that.
- Is a citizen, or a legal resident noncitizen meeting the section's residency and declaration conditions.
- Is at least 21 years of age and a resident of the county.
- Has no outstanding warrants and is not free on any form of pretrial release.
- Demonstrates competence with a handgun, by one of the courses or kinds of experience the section lists.
- Has never been convicted of a felony, and has no misdemeanor conviction within the four years before applying.
- Is not required to register as a sex offender in any state, and is not subject to the mental health orders the section names.
Those are among the conditions on which a county sheriff issues a concealed handgun license. Licensed hunters and fishermen while hunting or fishing or going to and from it, and members of target shooting clubs at a range or going to and from it, are also outside the concealment rule, unless otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The sheriff's fee is $100 for a first license and $75 for a renewal, with $15 to the Department of State Police for the fingerprint check. Public buildings, court facilities and schools have rules of their own, and cities and counties may regulate loaded firearms in public places; none of that is on this page. Federal law applies alongside. Whether a particular way of carrying is lawful is a question for a licensed Oregon attorney.
Sources for this section (3)
- ORS 166.250 — Unlawful possession of firearms
- ORS 166.260 — Persons not affected by ORS 166.250
- ORS 166.291 — Issuance of concealed handgun license
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Oregon attorney.