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Hi OFF,
I am a Texas resident and plan to drive to Oregon and Washington this fall. I have a TX CHL which covers me through all of the states I plan to drive through and I have a Washington non-resident CHL so I'll be ok in Washington too. My question is about the proper precautions that I need to take while I am in Oregon. As a "traveler" are there any special provisions that allow me to keep my firearm in my car (if not on my person) while in Oregon? When I cross into the state what should I do with my handgun? And does the same apply to long guns? I have a family member that likes to target shoot and I would not mind bringing one of my rifles along when I visit. Thank you for your help. You have a great site and look forward to hearing back from someone.
Thank you,
Oregon has no prohibition on carrying loaded handguns in your car. But the state DOES allow localities to restrict loaded carry of firearms in public places which, oddly enough, includes your car.
If you are in a place like Portland or Oregon City that restricts loaded carry by people who do not have concealed handgun licenses, you may not have a loaded firearm in your vehicle. Furthermore, if it is a handgun, it must be carried openly or not readily accessible. That means if you have a trunk it must be there. If you dont, it can be in a locked glove-box, center console or other locked container and if the container is opened by key, the key cannot be in the container.
Long guns do not have to be not readily accessible but if you dont have a concealed handgun license and you are in a locality that restricts loaded carry it must be unloaded.
I recently just purchased my first handgun and despite my research on state,county, and local gun laws I couldn't find or understand what is acceptable means of carry in my car. I don't have my CHL (yet) so what are the correct and legal methods of carrying whilst driving?
Loaded/unloaded, concealed/plain sight?
OREGON has no STATE law against carrying a loaded handgun in your car as long as it is :
a) Not concealed or
b) Not readily accesible.
Not readily accessible" (for now) means:
(4)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, a handgun is readily accessible within the meaning of this section if the handgun is within the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
(b) If a vehicle has no storage location that is outside the passenger compartment of the vehicle, a handgun is not readily accessible within the meaning of this section if:
(A) The handgun is stored in a closed and locked glove compartment, center console or other container; and
(B) The key is not inserted into the lock, if the glove compartment, center console or other container unlocks with a key.
However, localities are allowed to regulate loaded firearms in public places which now includes your car. This only applies to people without CHLs.
So you need to check local regulations. In Portland, for example, you may not have a loaded gun anywhere in your car and you may not even have loaded magazines separate from the handgun. It must still, however, be either visible or not readily accessible."
Reading the law seems to be more restrictive on handguns in vehicles and less restrictive on open carry on the belt outside of a vehicle.
I heard in Oregon, carrying a gun in your vehicle loaded is considered concealed if it is loaded with the ammo either in the gun or within reach of the occupants. I am also a chl holder in Oregon.
I have a Washington State friend that will be traveling through Oregon with his handgun.
He has a Washington State CHL.
What are the laws regarding his carrying a handgun (unloaded) in his SUV that has no trunk?
thanks!
I heard in Oregon, carrying a gun in your vehicle loaded is considered concealed if it is loaded with the ammo either in the gun or within reach of the occupants. I am also a chl holder in Oregon.