A new lawsuit filed in federal court by Gun Owners of America (GOA) is challenging Oregon’s concealed handgun carry license law, arguing it violates the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners who live out of state.
Oregon Gun Owners stands with GOA in our shared mission to protect the Second Amendment and stand up for safe and responsible gun ownership. As those rights continue to face challenges in the Legislature and the courts, it is crucial for gun owners across the state to remain informed, engaged, and united.
According to a recent article in The Oregonian/OregonLive, GOA filed the suit Sept. 11 against the City of Salem and Marion County. The case centers on Cynthia Ladd, an Arizona resident and Oregon state director for the organization.
Ladd stated in her sworn declaration that she will be meeting with lawmakers at the Oregon Capitol over the next 90 days and wishes to carry a concealed handgun for self-defense while in Salem. However, state law does not recognize Ladd’s concealed carry permit issued by Arizona and she can’t apply for one in Oregon.
Here is how Oregon’s concealed carry license laws currently work:
- To obtain an Oregon concealed handgun license, the applicant must be a resident of Oregon or non-resident living in a bordering state, including Washington, California, Idaho, and Nevada.
- Non-residents in these states may apply for a license from an Oregon county sheriff’s office that borders their state. Even then, county sheriffs have discretion about whether or not to process non-resident applications, and many restrict them only to those who work or own property in the county.
The lawsuit argues those restrictions violate the Second Amendment by denying qualified non-residents from carrying a handgun for self-defense simply because they live in another state.
Oregon Gun Owners will be following this case closely, and is working to introduce legislation in 2027 that protect the rights of Oregonians to safely and responsibly own firearms.
