ORS 166.291
Issuance of concealed handgun license

  • application
  • fees
  • liability

(1)

The sheriff of a county, upon a person’s application for an Oregon concealed handgun license, upon receipt of the appropriate fees and after compliance with the procedures set out in this section, shall issue the person a concealed handgun license if the person:

(a)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(A)

Is a citizen of the United States; or

(B)

Is a legal resident alien who can document continuous residency in the county for at least six months and has declared in writing to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services the intent to acquire citizenship status and can present proof of the written declaration to the sheriff at the time of application for the license;

(b)

Is at least 21 years of age;

(c)

Is a resident of the county;

(d)

Has no outstanding warrants for arrest;

(e)

Is not free on any form of pretrial release;

(f)

Demonstrates competence with a handgun by any one of the following:

(A)

Completion of any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the State Department of Fish and Wildlife or a similar agency of another state if handgun safety was a component of the course;

(B)

Completion of any National Rifle Association firearms safety or training course if handgun safety was a component of the course;

(C)

Completion of any firearms safety or training course or class available to the general public offered by law enforcement, community college, or private or public institution or organization or firearms training school utilizing instructors certified by the National Rifle Association or a law enforcement agency if handgun safety was a component of the course;

(D)

Completion of any law enforcement firearms safety or training course or class offered for security guards, investigators, reserve law enforcement officers or any other law enforcement officers if handgun safety was a component of the course;

(E)

Presents evidence of equivalent experience with a handgun through participation in organized shooting competition or military service;

(F)

Is licensed or has been licensed to carry a firearm in this state, unless the license has been revoked; or

(G)

Completion of any firearms training or safety course or class conducted by a firearms instructor certified by a law enforcement agency or the National Rifle Association if handgun safety was a component of the course;

(g)

Has never been convicted of a felony or found guilty, except for insanity under ORS 161.295 (Effect of qualifying mental disorder), of a felony;

(h)

Has not been convicted of a misdemeanor or found guilty, except for insanity under ORS 161.295 (Effect of qualifying mental disorder), of a misdemeanor within the four years prior to the application, including a misdemeanor conviction for the possession of marijuana as described in paragraph (L) of this subsection;

(i)

Has not been committed to the Oregon Health Authority under ORS 426.130 (Court determination of mental illness);

(j)

Has not been found to be a person with mental illness and is not subject to an order under ORS 426.130 (Court determination of mental illness) that the person be prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm as a result of that mental illness;

(k)

Has been discharged from the jurisdiction of the juvenile court for more than four years if, while a minor, the person was found to be within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court for having committed an act that, if committed by an adult, would constitute a felony or a misdemeanor involving violence, as defined in ORS 166.470 (Limitations and conditions for sales of firearms);

(L)

Has not been convicted of an offense involving controlled substances or participated in a court-supervised drug diversion program, except this disability does not operate to exclude a person if:

(A)

The person can demonstrate that the person has been convicted only once of a marijuana possession offense that constituted a misdemeanor or violation under the law of the jurisdiction of the offense, and has not completed a drug diversion program for a marijuana possession offense that constituted a misdemeanor or violation under the law of the jurisdiction of the offense; or

(B)

The person can demonstrate that the person has only once completed a drug diversion program for a marijuana possession offense that constituted a misdemeanor or violation under the law of the jurisdiction of the offense, and has not been convicted of a marijuana possession offense that constituted a misdemeanor or violation under the law of the jurisdiction of the offense;

(m)

Is not subject to a citation issued under ORS 163.735 (Citation) or an order issued under ORS 30.866 (Action for issuance or violation of stalking protective order), 107.700 (Short title) to 107.735 (Duties of State Court Administrator) or 163.738 (Effect of citation);

(n)

Has not received a dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States;

(o)

Is not required to register as a sex offender in any state; and

(p)

Is not presently subject to an order under ORS 426.133 (Assisted outpatient treatment) prohibiting the person from purchasing or possessing a firearm.

(2)

A person who has been granted relief under ORS 166.273 (Relief from firearm prohibitions related to mental health), 166.274 (Relief from prohibition against possessing or receiving firearm) or 166.293 (Denial or revocation of license) or 18 U.S.C. 925(c) or has had the person’s record expunged under the laws of this state or equivalent laws of other jurisdictions is not subject to the disabilities in subsection (1)(g) to (L) of this section.

(3)

Before the sheriff may issue a license:

(a)

The application must state the applicant’s legal name, current address and telephone number, date and place of birth, hair and eye color and height and weight. The application must also list the applicant’s residence address or addresses for the previous three years. The application must contain a statement by the applicant that the applicant meets the requirements of subsection (1) of this section. The application may include the Social Security number of the applicant if the applicant voluntarily provides this number. The application must be signed by the applicant.

(b)

The applicant must submit to fingerprinting and photographing by the sheriff. The sheriff shall fingerprint and photograph the applicant and shall conduct any investigation necessary to corroborate the requirements listed under subsection (1) of this section. If a nationwide criminal records check is necessary, the sheriff shall request the Department of State Police to conduct the check, including fingerprint identification, through the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation shall return the fingerprint cards used to conduct the criminal records check and may not keep any record of the fingerprints. The Department of State Police shall report the results of the fingerprint-based criminal records check to the sheriff. The Department of State Police shall also furnish the sheriff with any information about the applicant that the Department of State Police may have in its possession including, but not limited to, manual or computerized criminal offender information.

(4)

Application forms for concealed handgun licenses shall be supplied by the sheriff upon request. The forms shall be uniform throughout this state in substantially the following form:

Date________
I hereby declare as follows:
I am a citizen of the United States or a legal resident alien who can document continuous residency in the county for at least six months and have declared in writing to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services my intention to become a citizen and can present proof of the written declaration to the sheriff at the time of this application. I am at least 21 years of age. I have been discharged from the jurisdiction of the juvenile court for more than four years if, while a minor, I was found to be within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court for having committed an act that, if committed by an adult, would constitute a felony or a misdemeanor involving violence, as defined in ORS 166.470 (Limitations and conditions for sales of firearms). I have never been convicted of a felony or found guilty, except for insanity under ORS 161.295 (Effect of qualifying mental disorder), of a felony in the State of Oregon or elsewhere. I have not, within the last four years, been convicted of a misdemeanor or found guilty, except for insanity under ORS 161.295 (Effect of qualifying mental disorder), of a misdemeanor. Except as provided in ORS 166.291 (Issuance of concealed handgun license) (1)(L), I have not been convicted of an offense involving controlled substances or completed a court-supervised drug diversion program. There are no outstanding warrants for my arrest and I am not free on any form of pretrial release. I have not been committed to the Oregon Health Authority under ORS 426.130 (Court determination of mental illness), nor have I been found to be a person with mental illness and presently subject to an order prohibiting me from purchasing or possessing a firearm because of mental illness. I am not under a court order to participate in assisted outpatient treatment that includes an order prohibiting me from purchasing or possessing a firearm. If any of the previous conditions do apply to me, I have been granted relief or wish to petition for relief from the disability under ORS 166.273 (Relief from firearm prohibitions related to mental health), 166.274 (Relief from prohibition against possessing or receiving firearm) or 166.293 (Denial or revocation of license) or 18 U.S.C. 925(c) or have had the records expunged. I am not subject to a citation issued under ORS 163.735 (Citation) or an order issued under ORS 30.866 (Action for issuance or violation of stalking protective order), 107.700 (Short title) to 107.735 (Duties of State Court Administrator) or 163.738 (Effect of citation). I have never received a dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States. I am not required to register as a sex offender in any state. I understand I will be fingerprinted and photographed.
Legal name ____________
Age ______ Date of birth ________
Place of birth ____________
Social Security number ___________
(Disclosure of your Social Security account number is voluntary. Solicitation of the number is authorized under ORS 166.291 (Issuance of concealed handgun license). It will be used only as a means of identification.)
Proof of identification (Two pieces of current identification are required, one of which must bear a photograph of the applicant. The type of identification and the number on the identification are to be filled in by the sheriff.):
1.____________
2.____________
Height _____ Weight _____
Hair color _____ Eye color _____
Current address ________
(List residence addresses for the
past three years on the back.)
City _____ County _____ Zip _____
Phone _____
I have read the entire text of this application, and the statements therein are correct and true. (Making false statements on this application is a misdemeanor.)
_______________
(Signature of Applicant)
Character references.
___________________________
Name: Address
___________________________
Name: Address
Approved ___ Disapproved ___ by ___
Competence with handgun demonstrated by _____ (to be filled in by sheriff)
Date _____ Fee Paid _____
License No. _____

(5)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

Fees for concealed handgun licenses are:

(A)

$15 to the Department of State Police for conducting the fingerprint check of the applicant.

(B)

$100 to the sheriff for the initial issuance of a concealed handgun license.

(C)

$75 to the sheriff for the renewal of a concealed handgun license.

(D)

$15 to the sheriff for the duplication of a license because of loss or change of address.

(b)

The sheriff may enter into an agreement with the Department of Transportation to produce the concealed handgun license.

(6)

No civil or criminal liability shall attach to the sheriff or any authorized representative engaged in the receipt and review of, or an investigation connected with, any application for, or in the issuance, denial or revocation of, any license under ORS 166.291 (Issuance of concealed handgun license) to 166.295 (Renewal of license) as a result of the lawful performance of duties under those sections.

(7)

Immediately upon acceptance of an application for a concealed handgun license, the sheriff shall enter the applicant’s name into the Law Enforcement Data System indicating that the person is an applicant for a concealed handgun license or is a license holder.

(8)

The county sheriff may waive the residency requirement in subsection (1)(c) of this section for a resident of a contiguous state who has a compelling business interest or other legitimate demonstrated need.

(9)

For purposes of subsection (1)(c) of this section, a person is a resident of a county if the person:

(a)

Has a current Oregon driver license issued to the person showing a residence address in the county;

(b)

Is registered to vote in the county and has a voter notification card issued to the person under ORS 247.181 (Voter notification card) showing a residence address in the county;

(c)

Has documentation showing that the person currently leases or owns real property in the county; or

(d)

Has documentation showing that the person filed an Oregon tax return for the most recent tax year showing a residence address in the county.

(10)

As used in this section, “drug diversion program” means a program in which a defendant charged with a marijuana possession offense completes a program under court supervision and in which the marijuana possession offense is dismissed upon successful completion of the diversion program. [1989 c.839 §8 (166.291 (Issuance of concealed handgun license) to 166.293 (Denial or revocation of license) enacted in lieu of 166.290); 1991 c.67 §38; 1993 c.732 §2; 1993 c.735 §4; 1995 c.729 §6; 1999 c.1052 §6; 2001 c.104 §56; 2003 c.166 §1; 2005 c.22 §115; 2007 c.368 §2; 2009 c.595 §113; 2009 c.826 §§7,10; 2011 c.547 §§33,34; 2013 c.243 §§4,5; 2013 c.360 §§8,9; 2013 c.591 §§6,7; 2014 c.62 §§1,2; 2015 c.50 §§15,16; 2015 c.201 §5; 2021 c.146 §12]

Source: Section 166.291 — Issuance of concealed handgun license; application; fees; liability, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors166.­html.

See also annotations under ORS 166.290 in permanent edition.

Notes of Decisions

Under former similar statute (ORS 166.290)

This section cannot be construed to require sheriff to issue multiple weapons licenses. Heinzel v. Shipman, 85 Or App 207, 736 P2d 195 (1987), Sup Ct review denied

In general

Sheriff may require applicant to provide information additional to that expressly required by statute, including model form, to extent additional information substantially and significantly helps sheriff to conduct mandatory investigation of applicant. Langlotz v. Noelle, 179 Or App 317, 39 P3d 271 (2002), Sup Ct review denied

Attorney General Opinions

Under former similar statute (ORS 166.290)

Duty of sheriff to issue licenses, (1984) Vol. 44, p 350; constitutionality of “good moral character” and “good cause exists” as used in this section, (1984) Vol. 44, p 350

Law Review Citations

In general

26 WLR 566, 576 (1990)

166.005
Treason
166.015
Riot
166.023
Disorderly conduct in the first degree
166.025
Disorderly conduct in the second degree
166.065
Harassment
166.070
Aggravated harassment
166.075
Abuse of venerated objects
166.076
Abuse of a memorial to the dead
166.085
Abuse of corpse in the second degree
166.087
Abuse of corpse in the first degree
166.090
Telephonic harassment
166.095
Misconduct with emergency telephone calls
166.116
Interfering with public transportation
166.155
Bias crime in the second degree
166.165
Bias crime in the first degree
166.167
Community service as sentence for bias crime
166.170
State preemption
166.171
Authority of county to regulate discharge of firearms
166.172
Authority of city to regulate discharge of firearms
166.173
Authority of city or county to regulate possession of loaded firearms in public places
166.174
Authority of city, county, municipal corporation or district to regulate possession or sale of firearms
166.175
Authority of city to regulate purchase of used firearms
166.176
Exception to preemption for certain county ordinances
166.180
Negligently wounding another
166.190
Pointing firearm at another
166.210
Definitions
166.220
Unlawful use of weapon
166.240
Carrying of concealed weapons
166.250
Unlawful possession of firearms
166.255
Possession of firearm or ammunition by certain persons prohibited
166.256
Relinquishment of firearm upon person becoming subject to certain court orders
166.257
Return of relinquished firearm
166.259
Relinquishment of firearm upon conviction of certain offenses
166.260
Persons not affected by ORS 166.250
166.262
Limitation on peace officer’s authority to arrest for violating ORS 166.250 or 166.370
166.263
Authority of parole and probation officer to carry firearm
166.270
Possession of weapons by certain felons
166.272
Unlawful possession of machine guns, certain short-barreled firearms and firearms silencers
166.273
Relief from firearm prohibitions related to mental health
166.274
Relief from prohibition against possessing or receiving firearm
166.275
Possession of weapons by inmates of institutions
166.279
Forfeiture of deadly weapons
166.282
Sale of weapons by political subdivision
166.291
Issuance of concealed handgun license
166.292
Procedure for issuing
166.293
Denial or revocation of license
166.295
Renewal of license
166.297
Annual report regarding revocation of licenses
166.300
Killing or injuring another with firearm as cause for loss of right to bear arms
166.320
Setting springgun or setgun
166.330
Use of firearms with other than incombustible gun wadding
166.350
Unlawful possession of armor piercing ammunition
166.360
Definitions for ORS 166.360 to 166.380
166.370
Possession of firearm or dangerous weapon in public building or court facility
166.373
Possession of weapon in court facility by peace officer or federal officer
166.375
Possession of handgun or ammunition by Department of Corrections authorized staff member
166.377
Possession of firearms in certain public buildings by concealed handgun licensees
166.380
Examination of firearm by peace officer
166.382
Possession of destructive device prohibited
166.384
Unlawful manufacture of destructive device
166.385
Possession of hoax destructive device
166.390
Short title
166.392
Definitions
166.395
Securing firearms
166.397
Reporting loss or theft of firearm
166.400
Requirement that firearm be locked during transfer
166.403
Duty to supervise upon transfer of firearm to minor
166.405
Gun dealer notice requirement
166.410
Manufacture, importation or sale of firearms
166.412
Definitions
166.414
Fees for conducting criminal history record checks
166.416
Providing false information in connection with a transfer of a firearm
166.418
Improperly transferring a firearm
166.421
Stolen firearms
166.422
Enforcement of ORS 166.412
166.425
Unlawfully purchasing a firearm
166.427
Register of transfers of used firearms
166.429
Firearms used in felony
166.432
Definitions for ORS 166.412 and 166.433 to 166.441
166.433
Findings regarding transfers of firearms
166.434
Requirements for criminal background checks
166.435
Firearm transfers by unlicensed persons
166.436
Department of State Police criminal background checks for gun show firearm transfers
166.438
Transfer of firearms at gun shows
166.441
Form for transfer of firearm at gun show
166.445
Short title
166.450
Obliteration or change of identification number on firearms
166.460
Antique firearms excepted
166.470
Limitations and conditions for sales of firearms
166.480
Sale or gift of explosives to children
166.490
Purchase of firearms in certain other states
166.525
Definitions
166.527
Petition for ex parte order
166.530
Hearing on order
166.533
Hearing to terminate order
166.535
Renewal of order
166.537
Surrender of deadly weapons pursuant to order
166.540
Return of surrendered deadly weapons
166.543
Criminal penalties
166.630
Discharging weapon on or across highway, ocean shore recreation area or public utility facility
166.635
Discharging weapon or throwing objects at trains
166.638
Discharging weapon across airport operational surfaces
166.641
Definitions for ORS 166.641 to 166.643
166.642
Felon in possession of body armor
166.643
Unlawful possession of body armor
166.645
Hunting in cemeteries prohibited
166.649
Throwing an object off an overpass in the second degree
166.651
Throwing an object off an overpass in the first degree
166.660
Unlawful paramilitary activity
166.663
Casting artificial light from vehicle while possessing certain weapons prohibited
166.715
Definitions for ORS 166.715 to 166.735
166.720
Racketeering activity unlawful
166.725
Remedies for violation of ORS 166.720
166.730
Authority of investigative agency
166.735
Short title
Green check means up to date. Up to date