In this section, you will learn where you are prohibited from carrying a concealed handgun even though you have a concealed handgun license. This is only a guide; always check with the places you are going before you carry your weapon if you are unsure that it is permitted.
To be able to accurately interpret the law you first must know a few definitions.
Capitol Building includes the Capitol, the State Office Building, the State Library Building, the Labor and Industries Building, the State Transportation Building, the State Agriculture Building, or the State Public Services Building. This also includes any new buildings constructed on the same grounds as an addition to the group of buildings listed.
Court Facility, 166.370 includes a courthouse or any other portion of any other building occupied by a circuit court, the court of appeals, the Supreme Court or the Oregon Tax Court. This includes any building occupied by personnel related to the operations of the courts or where activities related to the operation of the courts take place.
Essentially, you may not carry a firearm whether in possession of a concealed handgun license or not if you enter into any court facility unless otherwise authorized by the presiding judge of that judicial district. Violation of this law is a class C Felony.
Public Building means a hospital, a capitol building, public or private school, as defined in ORS 339.315, a college or university, a city hall or the residence of any state official elected by the state and the grounds adjacent to each such building. The term also includes that portion of any other building occupied by the agency of the state, or municipal corporation as defined in ORS 297.405, other than a court facility.
ORS 339.315 defines a school as a public or private place of learning providing instruction at levels K through 12, or their equivalents, including adjacent grounds to the institution or a site or premise that at the time is being used exclusively for a student program or activity that is sponsored or sanctioned by the school, including an education service district or a voluntary organization, and that is posted as such. A CHL holder may carry a concealed weapon on public school grounds.
A Public Place is a place where the general public has access and includes, but is not limited to, hallways, lobbies and other parts of apartment houses and hotels not constituting rooms or apartments designed for actual residence, highways, streets, schools, places of amusement, parks, playgrounds, and premises used in connection with public transportation. See ORS 161.015. You may carry a concealed handgun while in possession of a concealed handgun license in a public place unless otherwise posted.
ORS 166.173 gives authority to a city or county to regulate possession of loaded firearms in public places. For example, a city may prohibit the possession of a loaded firearm in a particular city park or event venue. It is your responsibility to contact city and county officials and inquire about any prohibitions.
National Forests & Wilderness
Persons who have obtained a valid concealed handgun license may carry their weapon onto National Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management lands unless there is a specific order issued by the local administrator or forest ranger to the contrary. It is your responsibility to check on restrictions where you plan to visit by contacting the local ranger district or land management office. Restrictions are generally put into effect during festivals or large gatherings, or at popular recreation areas where there are safety concerns. Be aware that any Ranger Station or Visitors Center in any National Forest is a Federal Building and it is illegal to be in possession of a firearm while visiting that premise.
National Parks
The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 was enacted May 22, 2009 and became effective February 22, 2010. Section 512 of this law, Protecting Americans from Violent Crimes, supersedes the uniform treatment of firearm possession in the national park system outside Alaska under the regulations found at 36 C.F.R. 2.4. This law provides that a person who legally possesses a firearm under the state law in which the national park is located is authorized to possess the firearm in the park.
It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering a park. For example, Yellowstone encompasses parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Each state has different regulations and you need to be aware of them prior to your trip.
Federal law also prohibits firearms in certain facilities in parks (such as visitor centers, government offices, etc.); these Federal Buildings are marked with signs at all public entrances.
Firearms should not be considered a wildlife protection strategy. Bear spray and other safety precautions are the proven methods for preventing bear and other wildlife interactions.
State Forest Lands
OAR 629-025-0050 states it is prohibited to possess and carry loaded firearms on State Forest lands that are posted as “Designated Recreation Areas.” These areas may include campgrounds, camping areas, day use areas, trailheads, staging areas, boat launch sites and any other areas posted by the Forester.
Indian Reservations
You may not carry concealed on an Indian Reservation property, without permission from the tribal government. The firearms rules on Indian Reservations vary greatly. Generally, non-Indians are prohibited from carrying guns on reservations or tribal lands except with the explicit permission of the tribal council.
Airports
According to Title 49 United States Code, Section 46505, you may not carry a firearm or ammunition in or through a federal security checkpoint. Some airports are privately owned facilities and can prohibit the carry of firearms on the property. Be sure to be familiar with any prohibitions at the facility you are visiting.
