Oregon Concealed Handgun License (CHL)

This course will fulfill your handgun safety training requirements for your Oregon CHL.

Oregon is a “shall issue” state. That means if you meet all the statutory requirements, the sheriff must issue you a CHL. If you do not meet all of the qualifications, that will result in your application being denied. In addition, the sheriff can deny your application if the sheriff has reasonable grounds to believe that you have been or are reasonably likely to be a danger to self or others, or to the community at large as a result of your mental or psychological state OR as demonstrated by a past pattern of behavior involving unlawful violence or threats of unlawful violence, ORS 166.293 (2).

When you are ready to apply for your CHL, your local sheriff’s office will go through the following steps to determine if you meet all the requirements:

1. Application is mailed or returned to the sheriff, depending on your county.
2. The application is reviewed for completeness and to ensure that you meet minimum requirements.
3. You will be contacted with an appointment date and time.
4. You will be fingerprinted and photographed and the appropriate fees will be collected.  Your records will then be submitted to the Department of State Police.
5. Your information is entered into the Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) indicating that you have applied for a CHL.
6. The sheriff’s staff will complete a full background check to confirm that you meet all the requirements.
7. A CHL will be issued within 45 days by the Sheriff’s Office or, if they determine you are not qualified, you will be sent a notice of denial.
8. LEDS will be updated showing that you have a CHL or that the application was denied.
9. If approved, your CHL will be mailed or delivered in person to you with a letter listing those places where carrying a concealed handgun is prohibited or restricted by state law or federal law.

Background Checks

A Sheriff may require additional information on the application such as place of employment and previous states where the applicant has resided as necessary to conduct a thorough investigation into the applicant’s qualifications to obtain a CHL. The sheriff may refuse to accept an application that is not completely filled out.  Langlotz v. Noelle, 179 Or App 317 (2002).

ORS 166.291 provides a list of criteria you must also meet to be eligible to obtain a CHL. In order to obtain a CHL, you must:

• Be a United State Citizen who is at least 21 year of age; or
• Be 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;
• Be a resident in the county in which application is being made.
• Have no outstanding warrants for your arrest or be on any form of pretrial release.
• Successfully complete a handgun safety class instructed by an NRA certified instructor or Law Enforcement Agency Certified Instructor, or a hunter safety class by the State Department of Fish and Wildlife if handgun safety was a component of the course or by the similar department of another state. THIS CLASS SATISFIES THIS REQUIREMENT.
• Have never been convicted of a felony.
• Have not been convicted of a misdemeanor in the last four years.
• Have not been committed to the Oregon Health Authority upon a court making a determination under ORS 426.130 of mental illness.
• Have not been found to be mentally ill and prohibited from possessing a firearm due to mental illness.
• Have not been convicted of an offense involving controlled substances or participated in a court-supervised drug diversion program, unless you are under the exceptions in ORS 166.291(L)(A)(B).
• Not be subject to a citation under ORS 163.735 or an order under ORS 30.866, 107.700 to 107.735 or 163.738.
• Have not received a dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States.
• Not be required to register as a sex offender in any state.
• A person is a resident of a county if the person:

• 1. possessing a current Oregon driver’s license showing a residence address in the county;
  2. being registered to vote in the county and having a memorandum card issued to the person showing a residence address in the county.
  3. possessing documentation showing that the person currently leases or owns real property in the county; or
  4. providing documentation showing that the person filed an Oregon tax return for the most recent tax year showing a residence in the county.

In order to obtain a CHL, you must provide two pieces of identification which are current (not expired) and one of them must have your picture.   Contact your local Sheriff’s Office and ask about what types of ID they will accept.

If you meet the above requirements you may contact your local Sheriff’s Office or visit their website to make an appointment and determine what documentation you will be required to bring to your appointment.

Out of State Applicants

The county sheriff may waive the residence requirement and issue a CHL to residents of contiguous states. Issuing a CHL to an applicant living in a contiguous state is at the discretion of the sheriff. The out-of-state applicant must meet all requirements for a CHL and submit with their application a written statement of a compelling business interest or other legitimate demonstrated need. ORS 166.291 (8) 

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What You Will Learn

In this course, you will learn:

• The legal responsibilities and liability of firearms ownership.
• Overview and explanation of when you are not required to be in possession of a concealed handgun license when carrying concealed.
• Overview and explanation of where you can and cannot carry a concealed handgun with your concealed handgun license.
• Overview and explanation of laws regulating the use of force on another.
  Handgun Safety:
• The rules of firearm safety
• Restricting access to firearms
• Performing safety checks
• Safe storage of the firearm
• Safe storage of ammunition
• Ammunition considerations
• Purchasing a handgun
• Concealed carry equipment considerations
• “The Eddie Eagle Program”

Once you have successfully finished the handgun safety course you will be prompted to:

1. Confirm your personal and payment information.
2. Print out your certificate, two copies.
3. One copy is to take with you to your appointment at your local Sheriff’s Office.
4. One copy is for your records.

Proceed