Handing Over A Firearm
ORS 166.470 — no transfer to someone under 18, a person with a felony conviction, or others the section lists
Who may not receive one. A person may not intentionally sell, deliver or otherwise transfer any firearm when the person knows or reasonably should know the recipient is under 18 years of age, has been convicted of a felony, has an outstanding felony warrant, or is free on pretrial release for a felony. It is a Class A misdemeanor.
- Was committed to the Oregon Health Authority, or is subject to an order prohibiting the purchase or possession of firearms because of mental illness.
- Was convicted of a misdemeanor involving violence, or found guilty except for insanity of one, within the previous four years.
- Was found guilty except for insanity of a felony.
Those recipients are on the same list, unless relief from the disability has been granted or the record expunged. Selling, delivering or transferring a firearm the person knows or reasonably should know is stolen is prohibited too.
The rule about minors does not stop a parent or guardian, or someone with their consent, from transferring a firearm other than a handgun to the minor, or anyone from temporarily transferring a firearm to a minor for hunting, target practice or any other lawful purpose.
The section that routes transfers between private parties through a gun dealer is printed in the current edition with amendments made by a ballot measure that, the edition notes, a court has enjoined, so this page leaves it out rather than say which version governs. Federal law adds rules of its own. Whether a particular sale, loan or gift is lawful is a question for a licensed Oregon attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- ORS 166.470 — Limitations and conditions for sales of firearms
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Oregon attorney.