Best county - OR CHL for WA resident

techiej · Aug 25, 2015

Looking for recent experiences of Washington residents obtaining their Oregon CHL and the best - least hassle in terms of time/effort - county to apply in. Would prefer to be within a 2 hr drive of Vancouver.

Currently have my WA license and want to get my OR license....I reside in the 'Couve.

Also interested in what the "justification" letter was that you used that was not business related as I am retired.

Many thanks in advance!

solv3nt · Aug 25, 2015

Having dealt with MultCo for a resident permit, I'd go to Columbia County.

JayDub · Aug 25, 2015

I got my original OR permit thru a class with MK Tactical in Hillsboro and at that time the OR permit was thru the Grant Co Sherriffs Office (the John Day area) ... I recently renewed my OR permit thru Columbia Co. because logistically they were the handiest for me.

The process was pretty painless... the staff was polite and efficient, you could tell it wasn't their first rodeo!!!
They take appointments for Mon-Thur slots but are normally filled out a ways but usually have a first come-first served type of affair on the last Sat. of the month from 10:00-14:00... that's what I did and I was there about an hour.

One big difference between WA and Oregon's permit system that I didn't realize until renewal time is that OR's permits are tied to the issuing CO and must be renewed in that Co. or transferred to another CO but it cost an additional $30 for the transfer! I would give some thought to logistical issues before deciding which CO to get my original permit from, it could save you a few $$ come renewal time.

This link to the Columbia Co Sheriff's Office has almost everything you need to know about getting a permit there:

http://www.co.columbia.or.us/sheriff/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27&Itemid=53

techiej · Aug 25, 2015

Thanks - if you don't mind my asking, what did you use for the "justification" in your letter?

JayDub · Aug 25, 2015

Sorry, I don't recall my exact statement but this section from the Grant County CHL application should give you an idea... the bold emphasis is mine!

"OUT OF STATE APPLICANTS ONLY – MUST COMPLETE
Oregon Revised Statute 166.291 (8) the county sheriff may waive the residency requirement in subsection (1)(c) for a resident of a contiguous state who has a compelling business interest or other legitimate demonstrated need.

If you are a non-resident applicant, please list your "Legitimate Demonstrated Need" for our records here. Examples may be for self defense, constitutional right, travel, isolated rural roads, travel late at night, elderly."

Trailboss · Aug 25, 2015

Wife and I both got our Oregon permits through the Multnomah Co Sheriffs dept. they were real nice to deal with. The Sheriff is pro 2nd Amendment. For justification we both put "All legal purposes".

v0lcom13sn0w · Aug 25, 2015

Marion county was pretty easy. took 45 BUSINESS days after i filled out my paperwork an met at the sheriffs office. i heard from my boss that Polk county is even easier. and quicker.

djwalley · Aug 26, 2015

techiej said:
Looking for recent experiences of Washington residents obtaining their Oregon CHL and the best - least hassle in terms of time/effort - county to apply in. Would prefer to be within a 2 hr drive of Vancouver.

Currently have my WA license and want to get my OR license....I reside in the 'Couve.

Also interested in what the "justification" letter was that you used that was not business related as I am retired.

Many thanks in advance!

Columbia County. Great staff and very responsive. Make sure you make an appointment. Information is on their website.

Certaindeaf · Aug 26, 2015

Nothing wrong with Clackamas county. I've had one from there since they started issuing.
Used to be in Oregon City but now it's at the Sherriff's office on 82nd and just south of Sunnyside rd.. take the Sunnyside exit off of 205 and go west to 82nd.

JayDub · Aug 26, 2015

Certaindeaf said:
Nothing wrong with Clackamas county. I've had one from there since they started issuing.
Used to be in Oregon City but now it's at the Sherriff's office on 82nd and just south of Sunnyside rd.. take the Sunnyside exit off of 205 and go west to 82nd.

It may have changed recently but this is what's currently posted in the Q-n-A section of their website:

"Q. If I'm a resident of another state, but regularly travel through Oregon, will Clackamas County issue me a Concealed Handgun License?
A. No. It is the policy of the Clackamas County Sheriff not to issue concealed handgun licenses to anyone who is not a resident of Clackamas County. Other Oregon counties may have different policies, especially those which border other states. Check with them."

In OR I believe the local Sheriff gets to set the policy on issuing out of state permits, and those permits will only be issued to the citizens of Oregon's contiguous/border states (WA, ID, NV & CA).

Certaindeaf · Aug 26, 2015

JayDub said:
It may have changed recently but this is what's currently posted in the Q-n-A section of their website:

"Q. If I'm a resident of another state, but regularly travel through Oregon, will Clackamas County issue me a Concealed Handgun License?
A. No. It is the policy of the Clackamas County Sheriff not to issue concealed handgun licenses to anyone who is not a resident of Clackamas County. Other Oregon counties may have different policies, especially those which border other states. Check with them."

In OR I believe the local Sheriff gets to set the policy on issuing out of state permits, and those permits will only be issued to the citizens of Oregon's contiguous/border states (WA, ID, NV & CA).

Well heck, thanks for posting that. Had no idea.

techiej · Aug 29, 2015

Anyone have any experience (non-resident) with Yamhill county?

decklin · Aug 29, 2015

I've heard good things about grant and Columbia. I believe the grant county sheriff regularly makes trips into Washington to help people get their chl's.
Also Columbia will accept online courses.

http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/showthread.php?120535-Online-Oregon-Training

NWGlockgal · Aug 29, 2015

techiej said:
Anyone have any experience (non-resident) with Yamhill county?

This is from their website:

Q. If I am a resident of another state and travel through Oregon regularly, will Yamhill County issue me a CHL? A. It depends on what state you live in and the nature of your travel through Oregon. Under ORS 166.291(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. If you reside in a contiguous state and can articulate a "compelling business interest or other legitimate demonstrated need," you may do so in writing a letter to the sheriff requesting a waiver of the residency requirements based on that reason. Once that letter is received and reviewed, you will be notified of the Sheriff's decision.

I live in Yamhill County, and the Sheriff's department is very pro 2A.

Member 5605 · Aug 29, 2015

I'm sure Linn would. I bet you remember the stink Sheriff Riley made a few years back. The tradition has continued to the current sheriff.

Not to mention my transfer took less than a week to get to me. No appointments, walk in and done. Here is your paper copy expect the new in the mail.