The short session kicked off with calls across the aisle for bipartisanship and collaboration for the next five weeks. Attempting, no doubt, to stymy any further Republican walkouts after the Oregon Supreme Court upheld the secretary of state’s decision to disqualify 10 Senate Republicans from running for re-election. Leadership in both the Senate and House encouraged party members to withhold politically controversial bills to keep any further walkouts from halting this short session. Considering that firearm-related bills, such as HB 2005, helped cause the 2023 walkouts, we expected a quiet ..read more

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 ..read more

Measure 114 (2022) has been approved by voters. It takes effect December 8 unless there is a court injunction. Measure 114 requires a permit to purchase firearms and prohibits magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds. Read the full text of the measure here. OGO and other members of Sportsmen Opposed to Gun Violence are evaluating and coordinating a thought legal and legislative strategy. As things come together, OGO will be sharing information and asking for your involvement and support. As many of you know, OGO actively opposed Measure 114 as a member of the NO campaign Oregon ..read more

U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez has overturned California’s ban on “assault weapons,” stating that it would not survive under heightened scrutiny and was a “failed experiment” that violated the Second Amendment. Judge Benitez’s decision is currently stayed for 30 days, and the current California laws subject to the ruling remain in full effect. California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated that he will be appealing the judge’s ruling in a press statement. The White House also weighed in on the rule, stating that “Courts have again and again held that an assault weapons ban does not violate th ..read more

The 2021 session is over! Below are some of the bills Oregon Gun Owners have engaged with this session. Bills with an effective date 91 days after Sine Die will be effective on September 25, 2021: Passed Legislation SB 554  – Creates storage requirements for gun owners and creates $500 fine for violation of storage requirement. Fines increase to $2,000 maximum if a minor obtains an unsecured firearm. Prohibits licensed CHL holders from carrying in the State Capitol, airports, and school districts if they choose to opt-in. Governor Brown signed into law on June 1, 2021. It takes effec ..read more

In 2021, the Oregon Legislature passed a new gun bill over the objection of all Republicans and some Democrats. OGO strongly opposed the policy and worked tirelessly to defeat it. SB 554 bans possession of guns in some public buildings by CHL holders and requires secure storage under certain conditions. It took effect on September 25, 2021. Here is what you need to know: Firearm Storage and Transfer “Control” means the firearm is close enough to prevent another person from obtaining the firearm or the owner is in their own residence and the residence is secure. When not under control of ..read more

With a rise in crimes against Asian Americans in the U.S., more Asian Americans have turned to gun ownership for self-defense. The National Shooting Sports Foundation, a leading firearms industry group, estimates that roughly 8.4 million Americans bought a gun for the first time last year. NSSF’s data also reported that Asian Americans made up 3.8% of those sales while making up only 5.7% of the national population. Comparatively in the same year, 72.4% of gun buyers were White. To read the full story, please click here.   ..read more

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has made clear his disdain toward gun owners and the lawful firearms industry. Gov. Cuomo went so far as to shutter firearm businesses during the coronavirus lockdowns, despite most other governors determining the industry “essential.” This resulted in more than 5,500 New Yorkers out of work. In a recent move, Kimber Manufacturing became the latest gun manufacturer to move its headquarters to friendlier territory, announcing a new $38 million facility and relocation of its headquarters from Yonkers, New York to Troy, Alabama. The firearms industry supports not ju ..read more

A number of you emailed us this summer to ask about concealed carry and the use of face masks. Law enforcement officials have clarified that “Oregon law DOES NOT prohibit someone from wearing a mask while lawfully carrying a concealed weapon” (Marion County Sheriffs Office, June 25, 2020). If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to send us an email ..read more

The Oregon Firearm Safety Coalition met for the first time this week to begin addressing the problem of suicide in our community. This group, which is led by gun owners with support from suicide prevention experts, seeks to help gun owners protect themselves and their loved ones through VOLUNTARY peer support and temporary gun drop-off strategies. In its mission statement, the group has pledged to NEVER support mandatory storage laws or other one-size-fits-all government mandates. OGO is joined by the gun industry group National Shooting Sports Foundation, several Oregon gun shop owners, the A ..read more