Oregon's gun regulations have evolved significantly in the last two decades. However, the step-by-step changes have accelerated this session. Democrat leadership has doubled-down introducing seven bills and has accumulated their priorities in a gut-n-stuff amendment to Senate Bill 243 with -4 Amendments. It has passed out of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, chaired by Senator Floyd Prozanski (D-Springfield/Eugene) regardless of the 60% in opposition.

SB 243 as Amended lists gunowner restrictions:

• Dealer purchase waiting period extended to 72 hours after the dealer receives approval number.
• Prohibits anyone to possess, purchase, receive, transport, manufacture, sell, offer to sell, or transfer a rapid fire activator.
• Creates a Class B felony crime of unlawful transport, manufacture or transfer of a rapid fire activator, and Creates a Class A misdemeanor crime of unlawful possession of a rapid fire activator if a person knowingly possesses, purchases, or receives a rapid fire activator. Exemption if registered with federal machine gun law.
• Expands public area restrictions for conceal carry to include grounds adjacent to restricted buildings such as a city, county, metropolitan service district, or port operating a commercial airport, hospitals, schools, residence of any state official, and anywhere a sign is posted, except if there is an adopted policy for concealed carry and post on their website.

House Bill 3075 and HB 3076 also passed out of committee. HB 3075 makes it harder to lawfully obtain a firearm by increasing the firearm permit provisions in Ballot Measure 114, including adding additional eligibility requirements, fees, and doubling the wait time to issue permits to 60 days. HB 3076 directs the Department of Justice to create a state licensure program, adding additional, unnecessary oversight to an industry that already follows extensive federal regulations, including background checks, ATF licensing, and strict compliance laws.

“These bills are an absurd attempt to target law-abiding Oregon gunowners,” said Rep. Alek Skarlatos (R-Winston). “They will ban standard size magazines, impose fees on the exercise of a constitutional right, and place prohibitive regulations on every local gunsmith and gun store, forcing these small businesses to close.”

A citizens initiative in 2000 opened the door for legislators with a passion against firearms to begin chopping away at Second Amendment Rights. Each success brought a new boldness with a new level of restrictions. There is one common sponsor on every bill with individual sponsorship, and that is Senator Floyd Prozanski (D-Springfield/Eugene). A close second is Representative Lew Frederick (D-N Portland) and Representative Kathleen Taylor (D-Milwaukie).

In 2000, Measure 5, called Oregon Background Checks for Transfer of Firearms, required background checks be completed before a gun dealers or gun show dealers hand over the gun to private parties.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

In 2015, Senate Bill 941, Oregon Firearms Safety Act, adds the requirement for private or unlicensed firearms sellers conduct background checks. It pass with over 1,000 submitting testimony. Also passed was Senate Bill 525, which prohibits convicted domestic violence offenders and people subject to domestic abuse restraining orders from possessing guns and ammunition. Passing with about 1200 submitted testimonies.

In 2016, Governor Kate Brown issued Executive Order No 16-12, which reinstated the policy for Oregon State Police to retain gun registration data for five years after it was suspending in 2010 due to a raid on David Pyles for multiple purchases. It also directed OHA to study the effects of gun violence and suicide, and propose policies related to gun violence and its effect on public health. This order has had the affect of shifting the blame for deaths on the gun and not the status of the individual misusing the gun.

In 2017, Senate Bill 719 created the Extreme Risk Protection Order Law prohibiting a person from possessing a deadly weapon when the court finds that person presents risk in near future, including imminent risk of suicide or causing injury to another person. Sponsored by Governor Kate Brown.

In 2018, House Bill 4145, called Gun Violence Protection People, allows a court order to prohibit possession of a firearm for a misdemeanor conviction. It deals with stalking and domestic violence convictions banned from owning firearms. Submitted testimony was over 2,000

In 2021, Senate Republicans tried eight maneuvers on the floor to derail Senate Bill 554. but passed with the help of three Republicans Senators giving the Democrats quorum to pass the bill. Required gun owners to secure their guns in locked storage when it is not under their control, restricted guns in the Capitol and allowed school districts, community colleges, and universities to ban guns on their premises. Submitted testimony was 1,179 in opposition to 201.

In 2022, voters passed Measure 114, also known as the Reduction of Gun Violence Act. It aims to change gun laws in the state by requiring a permit to purchase or acquire a firearm and banning the sale, transfer, and importation of magazines capable of holding more than ten rounds of ammunition. It created a permit-to-purchase system in Oregon, required background check be completed before transfer of firearms, and limited the sale or transfer of magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds. The Appeals Court lifted the hold on the implementation of Measure 114, and is now headed to the appellate court for review of the decision.

In 2023, House Bill 2005 dealt with 'ghost guns'. Submitted testimony was 702 in opposition to 216 bearing out the uncertainty. The bill prohibits individuals from owning firearms with no metal parts and as well as firearms or firearm parts that do not have a serial number. Gives owner one year to get firearms and firearm parts serialized.

Gun owners have expressed that gun restrictions on their Second Amendment rights is declaring them guilty without the right to prove their Second Amendment rights, and without any criminal act or intent. One gunowner expressed, "They want to disarm us while at the same time they want to let more criminals go free (HB 2640) and extend sanctuary to sex offenders (SB 820 and SB 821)."

Follow and take action on these and other gun bills on Oregon Citizens Lobby Alerts.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2025-04-10 19:28:06

Last Update: 2025-04-11 16:39:30