This legislative session was the first following Oregon’s approval of Ballot Measure 114 in November 2022. The measure criminalized magazines with more than 10-rounds, required sheriff approved permits to purchase firearms, created a firearm owner database, and was considered one of the strictest gun-control initiatives across the nation. Yet, despite a major overhaul of gun ownership in Oregon and pending legal challenges to M114, legislators across the state introduced an additional 25 firearm-related bills ranging from requiring metal detectors in schools to raising the legal age of firearm purchase from 18 to 21 years of age.

In March, leadership in House Judiciary held two hearings for what would soon be dubbed the “omnibus gun-safety package.” This package included concepts from HB 2005, HB 2006, and HB 2007 and would eventually be all amended into a single bill: HB 2005A, which included provisions on:

  • Punishing manufacturing, importing, offering for sale or transferring undetectable firearm by maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, or both.
  • Raising the minimum age to buy or own most types of guns from 18 to 21
  • Allowing public districts or properties to adopt regulations that ban concealed handgun licensees.

Opponents to these measures brought up concerns that the definitions used in HB 2005 were contradictory to federal definitions, that it was a constitutional right for legal adults to have the opportunity to buy firearms for public safety, and that creating a patchwork of CHL-approved locations would make criminals out of law-abiding citizens. However, it wasn’t until the Oregon State Police stepped in and argued that without additional funding, OSP would not being able to implement the provisions of this Act, did we find ourselves with the amended HB 2005B. This version of the bill added $356,816 to the fiscal and was voted on the House floor, passing on a strict party-line vote.

Just as the House was battling details on the omnibus gun-safety package, the Senate introduced SB 348, touted as the “M114 fix bill.” This bill specified:

  • That permits to purchase most firearms would not be required until July 1, 2024,
  • That specific hunting/heritage related guns would not need a permit to purchase until July 1, 2026.
  • Permit agents can deny permits if they believe the applicant intends to harm others.
  • Initial permit fees are raised from $65-150 and renewal fees from $50 to $110
  • Active-duty offices and members of the armed forces are exempted from permit to purchase requirements
  • Number of days permit must be approved raised from 30 to 60
  • OSP is required to document racial and gender information for each applicant

Opponents to the bill argued that while M114 was currently in court, it was in the state’s best interest not to provide fixes to a ballot measure that had yet to be proven constitutional. SB 348 passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on a party-line vote and was sent to Joint Ways and Means Committee to approve the roughly $14 million price tag.

As HB 2005B made its way to the Senate chamber, Republicans in the Senate walked out of the building and refused to provide quorum for 43 days until leadership on both sides of the aisle compromised on a common-sense gun safety package. This compromise resulted in HB 2005C, which included only the original provision on criminalizing the sale, transfer, ownership or manufacturing of “ghost guns,” changed most definitions to be in line with federal definitions, and kept the $356,816 fiscal for the Oregon State Police.

  • Bills introduced and failed:
    SB 348: Modifies firearm permit provisions of Ballot Measure 114 (2022).
  • SB 527: Allows gun dealer or other to establish minimum age of 21 years for purchases, repairs or services to firearms.
  • SB 551: Requires school districts to provide specified information related to secure storage of medications and firearms.
  • SB 650: Directs Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to classify crime of felon in possession of a firearm as crime category 8.
  • SB 686: Authorizes governing bodies of certain public entities that own or control public building to adopt policy, ordinance or regulation or precluding affirmative defense for possession of firearms in public building and adjacent grounds by concealed handgun licensees.
  • SB 739: Exempts transferee who is certified participant in Address Confidentiality Program from private firearm transfer criminal background check requirement.
  • SB 843: Prohibits public body from disclosing to federal governmental entity information concerning firearm transfer or concealed handgun license.
  • SB 993: Creates crime of unlawfully pointing a firearm at another person.
  • SJR 3: Proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution establishing right to carry concealed firearms.
    HB 2005: Defines “undetectable firearm.” Punishes manufacturing, importing, offering for sale or transferring undetectable firearm by maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, or both.
  • HB 2006: Prohibits person under 21 years of age from possessing firearms with specified exceptions.
  • HB 2007: Authorizes governing bodies of certain public entities that own or control public building to adopt policy, ordinance or regulation or precluding affirmative defense for possession of firearms in public building and adjacent grounds by concealed handgun licensees.
  • HB 2373: Directs Department of Justice to study ways to address unlawful possession of firearms, and to provide results of study to interim committees of Legislative Assembly no later than December 31, 2024.
  • HB 2579: Exempts from private transfer criminal background check requirement transfer of curio or relic firearm to person licensed as collector under federal law.
  • HB 2704: Requires district school board or higher education governing board that adopts policy limiting possession of firearms by concealed handgun licensees on school grounds to install metal detectors at entrances to buildings subject to policy.
  • HB 2874: Defines “undetectable firearm.” Punishes manufacturing, importing, offering for sale or transferring undetectable firearm by maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, or both.
  • HB 2936: Repeals requirement to secure firearm in specified circumstances.
  • HB 2968: Repeals prohibition on carrying concealed firearm on person or possessing concealed, readily accessible handgun within vehicle.
  • HB 3077: Directs Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to classify crime of felon in possession of a firearm as crime category 8.
  • HB 3118: Authorizes public schools to provide firearm safety and accident prevention class to students in first grade.
  • HB 3445: Authorizes county to adopt ordinance concerning Ballot Measure 114 (2022) providing that law enforcement agency with jurisdiction entirely within county is not required to act as firearm purchase permit agent, and permit is not required for transfer of firearm from transferor within county to county resident.
  • HB 3511: Modifies firearm permit application and issuance process.
  • HB 3513: Authorizes federal firearms licensee or other person to enter into firearm hold agreement with firearm owner.
  • HB 3542: Provides that person is automatically qualified to obtain permit to purchase firearm if person holds valid concealed handgun license.
  • HB 3615: Authorizes federal firearms licensee to enter into firearm hold agreement with firearm owner.

Passed:

  • HB 2005: Defines “undetectable firearm.” Punishes manufacturing, importing, offering for sale or transferring undetectable firearm by maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, or both.