166.255 Possession of firearm or ammunition by certain persons prohibited. (1) It is unlawful for a person to knowingly possess a firearm or ammunition if:
(a) The person is the subject of a court order that:
(A)(i) Was issued or continued after a hearing for which the person had actual notice and during the course of which the person had an opportunity to be heard; or
(ii) Was issued, continued or remains in effect, by order or operation of law, after the person received notice of the opportunity to request a hearing in which to be heard on the order, and either requested a hearing but did not attend the hearing or withdrew the request before the hearing occurred, or did not request a hearing during the time period in which the opportunity was available;
(B) Restrains the person from stalking, intimidating, molesting or menacing a family or household member of the person, a child of a family or household member of the person or a child of the person; and
(C) Includes a finding that the person represents a credible threat to the physical safety of a family or household member of the person, a child of a family or household member of the person or a child of the person;
(b) The person has been convicted of a qualifying misdemeanor and, at the time of the offense, the person was:
(A) A family or household member of the victim of the offense; or
(B) A parent or guardian of the victim of the offense; or
(c) The person has been convicted of stalking under ORS 163.732.
(2) The prohibition described in subsection (1)(a) of this section does not apply with respect to the transportation, shipment, receipt, possession or importation of any firearm or ammunition imported for, sold or shipped to or issued for the use of the United States Government or any federal departme
Stored review status: 2025_edition_later_amendments_unresolved. A text match is a research starting point; applicability is not established.
Official chapter context and edition notices
Chapter 166 — Offenses Against Public Order; Firearms and Other Weapons; Racketeering
Uncodified sections printed in this chapter were amended or repealed by the Legislative Assembly during its 2026 regular session. See the table of uncodified sections amended or repealed during the 2026 regular session: 2026 A&R Tables
New sections of law were enacted by the Legislative Assembly during its 2026 regular session and pertain to or are likely to be compiled in this ORS chapter. See sections in the following 2026 Oregon Laws chapters: 2026 Session Laws 0120
2025 EDITION
PUBLIC ORDER OFFENSES
CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS
RIOT, DISORDERLY CONDUCT, HARASSMENT AND RELATED OFFENSES
BIAS CRIME
AUTHORITY TO REGULATE FIREARMS
POSSESSION AND USE OF WEAPONS
(Generally)
(Possession of Weapons in Public Buildings or Court Facilities)
(Destructive Devices)
(Duties of Firearm Owners and Possessors)
SALE OR TRANSFER OF FIREARMS
EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDERS
DISCHARGING WEAPONS
POSSESSION OF BODY ARMOR
MISCELLANEOUS
RACKETEERING
RIOT, DISORDERLY CONDUCT, HARASSMENT AND RELATED OFFENSES
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Stable record: oregon_criminal_law:legal_authorities:166.255 Source file: ors166.html Pages: Not recorded – Not recorded Passage SHA-256: 22f34581584e90e67f42ee3fafe6f0b8df9373b647a0740c28b48ca3c487e717 Retained source evidence SHA-256: dd35e0da63555ebef88cc11cd6ae4309a37c3b744978829c3b2f00d59c0c08b8
Source location: ORS 166.255 (all printed versions and notes)
Stored source content
166.255 Possession of firearm or ammunition by certain persons prohibited. (1) It is unlawful for a person to knowingly possess a firearm or ammunition if:
(a) The person is the subject of a court order that:
(A)(i) Was issued or continued after a hearing for which the person had actual notice and during the course of which the person had an opportunity to be heard; or
(ii) Was issued, continued or remains in effect, by order or operation of law, after the person received notice of the opportunity to request a hearing in which to be heard on the order, and either requested a hearing but did not attend the hearing or withdrew the request before the hearing occurred, or did not request a hearing during the time period in which the opportunity was available;
(B) Restrains the person from stalking, intimidating, molesting or menacing a family or household member of the person, a child of a family or household member of the person or a child of the person; and
(C) Includes a finding that the person represents a credible threat to the physical safety of a family or household member of the person, a child of a family or household member of the person or a child of the person;
(b) The person has been convicted of a qualifying misdemeanor and, at the time of the offense, the person was:
(A) A family or household member of the victim of the offense; or
(B) A parent or guardian of the victim of the offense; or
(c) The person has been convicted of stalking under ORS 163.732.
(2) The prohibition described in subsection (1)(a) of this section does not apply with respect to the transportation, shipment, receipt, possession or importation of any firearm or ammunition imported for, sold or shipped to or issued for the use of the United States Government or any federal department or agency, or any state or department, agency or political subdivision of a state.
(3) As used in this section:
(a) “Convicted” means:
(A) The person was represented by counsel or knowingly and intelligently waived the right to counsel;
(B) The case was tried to a jury, if the crime was one for which the person was entitled to a jury trial, or the person knowingly and intelligently waived the person’s right to a jury trial; and
(C) The conviction has not been set aside or expunged, and the person has not been pardoned.
(b) “Deadly weapon” has the meaning given that term in ORS 161.015.
(c) “Family or household member” has the meaning given that term in ORS 135.230.
(d) “Possess” has the meaning given that term in ORS 161.015.
(e) “Qualifying misdemeanor” means a misdemeanor that has, as an element of the offense, the use or attempted use of physical force or the threatened use of a deadly weapon. [2015 c.497 §2; 2018 c.5 §1; 2019 c.201 §1]
Cross-references
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Oregon criminal law — ORS Title 16 (2025 snapshot) · legal_authorities
161.015 General definitions. As used in chapter 743, Oregon Laws 1971, and ORS 166.635, unless the context requires otherwise:
(1) “Dangerous weapon” means any weapon, device, instrument, material or substance which under the circumstances in which it is used, attempted to be used or threatened to be used, is readily capable of causing death or serious physical injury.
(2) “Deadly weapon” means any instrument, article or substance specifically designed for and presently capable of causing death or serious physical injury.
(3) “Deadly physical force” means physical force that under the circumstances in which it is used is readily capable of causing death or serious physical injury.
(4) “Peace officer” means:
(a) A member of the Oregon State Police;
(b) A sheriff, constable, marshal, municipal police officer or reserve officer as defined in ORS 133.005, or a police officer commissioned by a university under ORS 352.121 or 353.125;
(c) An investigator of the Criminal Justice Division of the Department of Justice or investigator of a district attorney’s office;
(d) A humane special agent as defined in ORS 181A.345;
(e) A regulatory specialist exercising authority described in ORS 471.775 (2);
(f) An authorized tribal police officer as defined in ORS 181A.940; and
(g) Any other person designated by law as a peace officer.
(5) “Person” means a human being and, where appropriate, a public or private corporation, an unincorporated association, a partnership, a government or a governmental instrumentality.
(6) “Physical force” includes, but is not limited to, the use of an electrical stun gun, tear gas or mace.
(7) “Physical injury” means impairment of physical condition or substantial pain.
(8) “Serious physical injury” means physical injury which creates a subst
163.732 Stalking. (1) A person commits the crime of stalking if:
(a) The person knowingly alarms or coerces another person or a member of that person’s immediate family or household by engaging in repeated and unwanted contact with the other person;
(b) It is objectively reasonable for a person in the victim’s situation to have been alarmed or coerced by the contact; and
(c) The repeated and unwanted contact causes the victim reasonable apprehension regarding the personal safety of the victim or a member of the victim’s immediate family or household.
(2)(a) Stalking is a Class A misdemeanor.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this subsection, stalking is a Class C felony if:
(A) The person has a prior conviction for:
(i) Stalking, or an equivalent crime in another jurisdiction; or
(ii) Violating a court’s stalking protective order, or an equivalent crime in another jurisdiction;
(B) The person is the respondent for an active protection order in any jurisdiction that restrains the person from stalking, intimidating, molesting or menacing another person, and the person protected by the order is not the victim of the current offense; or
(C) At least one instance of unwanted contact is the commission of the following against the victim:
(i) A felony;
(ii) Unlawful dissemination of an intimate image under ORS 163.472; or
(iii) Unlawful use of a global positioning system device under ORS 163.715.
(c) When stalking is a Class C felony pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection, stalking shall be classified as a person felony and as crime category 8 of the sentencing guidelines grid of the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. [1993 c.626 §2; 1995 c.353 §2; 2024 c.90 §2]
Note: See note under 163.730.
166.250 Unlawful possession of firearms. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section or ORS 166.260, 166.270, 166.273, 166.274, 166.291, 166.292 or 166.410 to 166.470, a person commits the crime of unlawful possession of a firearm if the person knowingly:
(a) Carries any firearm concealed upon the person;
(b) Possesses a handgun that is concealed and readily accessible to the person within any vehicle;
(c) Possesses a firearm and:
(A) Is under 18 years of age;
(B)(i) While a minor, was found to be within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court for having committed an act which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a felony or a misdemeanor involving violence, as defined in ORS 166.470; and
(ii) Was discharged from the jurisdiction of the juvenile court within four years prior to being charged under this section;
(C) Has been convicted of a felony;
(D) Was committed to the Oregon Health Authority under ORS 426.130;
(E) Was found to be a person with mental illness and subject to an order under ORS 426.130 that the person be prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm as a result of that mental illness;
(F) Is presently subject to an order under ORS 426.133 prohibiting the person from purchasing or possessing a firearm;
(G) Has been found guilty except for insanity under ORS 161.295 of a felony; or
(H) The possession of the firearm by the person is prohibited under ORS 166.255; or
(d) Possesses an unfinished frame or receiver and is prohibited from possessing firearms under paragraph (c) of this subsection.
(2) This section does not prohibit:
(a) A minor, who is not otherwise prohibited under subsection (1)(c) of this section, from possessing a firearm:
(A) Other than a handgun, if the firearm was transferred to the minor by the minor’s par
166.256 Relinquishment of firearm upon person becoming subject to certain court orders. (1)(a) When a respondent becomes subject to an order described in ORS 166.255 (1)(a) prohibiting the respondent from possessing firearms or ammunition, the court shall:
(A) Indicate in the order that the respondent is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under ORS 166.250 and 166.255 while the order is in effect.
(B) Ensure that the respondent is subject to an additional order:
(i) Requiring the respondent to transfer all firearms and ammunition in the respondent’s possession in accordance with subsection (2) of this section; and
(ii) Requiring the respondent to file a declaration as described in subsection (4) of this section.
(b) If the respondent becomes subject to the order while the respondent is present in court, the court shall:
(A) Inform the respondent, orally and in writing, that the respondent is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition;
(B) Order in writing that the respondent transfer all firearms and ammunition in the respondent’s possession in accordance with subsection (2) of this section; and
(C) Order that the respondent file a declaration as described in subsection (4) of this section.
(2)(a) Within 24 hours of becoming subject to the court order under subsection (1)(a)(B) of this section or receiving the court order under subsection (1)(b)(B) of this section, the respondent shall transfer all firearms and ammunition in the respondent’s possession to a local law enforcement agency, to a gun dealer as defined in ORS 166.412 or to a third party who does not reside with the respondent, and shall obtain a proof of transfer under paragraph (b) of this subsection. A transfer to a third party under this subsection must be in accordance wit
166.259 Relinquishment of firearm upon conviction of certain offenses. (1) When a person is convicted of an offense described in ORS 166.255 (1)(b) or (c), the court shall, at the time of conviction:
(a) Indicate in the judgment of conviction that the person is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under ORS 166.250 and 166.255;
(b) Inform the person, orally and in writing, that the person is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition;
(c) Order in writing that the person transfer all firearms and ammunition in the person’s possession in accordance with subsection (2) of this section; and
(d) Order that the person file a declaration as described in subsection (4) of this section.
(2)(a) Within 24 hours of the court’s order under subsection (1) of this section, the person shall transfer all firearms and ammunition in the person’s possession to a local law enforcement agency, to a gun dealer as defined in ORS 166.412 or to a third party who does not reside with the person, and shall obtain a proof of transfer under paragraph (b) of this subsection. A transfer to a third party under this subsection must be in accordance with ORS 166.435, except that the criminal background check exceptions in ORS 166.435 (4) do not apply.
(b) A law enforcement agency, gun dealer or third party receiving a firearm or ammunition pursuant to this subsection shall issue to the person a written proof of transfer. The proof of transfer must include the person’s name, the date of transfer and the serial number, make and model of each transferred firearm. A proof of transfer issued by a third party must also include the unique approval number from the Department of State Police from the criminal background check conducted under ORS 166.435.
(c) A person transferring a f
166.412 Definitions; firearms transaction record; criminal history record check; prohibited transfer report; liability; rules. (1) As used in this section:
(a) “Antique firearm” has the meaning given that term in 18 U.S.C. 921;
(b) “Department” means the Department of State Police;
(c) “Firearm” has the meaning given that term in ORS 166.210, except that it does not include an antique firearm;
(d) “Firearms transaction record” means the firearms transaction record required by 18 U.S.C. 921 to 929;
(e) “Firearms transaction thumbprint form” means a form provided by the department under subsection (11) of this section;
(f) “Gun dealer” means a person engaged in the business, as defined in 18 U.S.C. 921, of selling, leasing or otherwise transferring a firearm, whether the person is a retail dealer, pawnbroker or otherwise;
(g) “Purchaser” means a person who buys, leases or otherwise receives a firearm or unfinished frame or receiver from a gun dealer; and
(h) “Unfinished frame or receiver” has the meaning given that term in ORS 166.210.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (12) of this section, a gun dealer shall comply with the following before a firearm or unfinished frame or receiver is delivered to a purchaser:
(a) The purchaser shall present to the gun dealer current identification meeting the requirements of subsection (4) of this section and a valid permit issued under ORS 166.505.
(b) The gun dealer shall complete the firearms transaction record and obtain the signature of the purchaser on the record.
(c) The gun dealer shall obtain the thumbprints of the purchaser on the firearms transaction thumbprint form and attach the form to the gun dealer’s copy of the firearms transaction record to be filed with that copy.
(d) The gun dealer shall, by telephone
166.436 Department of State Police criminal background checks for gun show firearm transfers; prohibited transfer report; liability. (1) The Department of State Police shall make the telephone number established under ORS 166.412 (5) available for requests for criminal background checks under this section from persons who are not gun dealers and who are transferring firearms at gun shows.
(2) Prior to transferring a firearm at a gun show, a transferor who is not a gun dealer shall by telephone verify that the transferee has a valid permit-to-purchase a firearm under ORS 166.505, and request that the department conduct a criminal background check on the recipient upon providing the following information to the department:
(a) The name, address and telephone number of the transferor;
(b) The make, model, caliber and manufacturer’s number of the firearm being transferred;
(c) The name, date of birth, race, sex and address of the recipient;
(d) The Social Security number of the recipient if the recipient voluntarily provides that number;
(e) The address of the place where the transfer is occurring; and
(f) The type, issuer and identification number of a current piece of identification bearing a recent photograph of the recipient presented by the recipient. The identification presented by the recipient must meet the requirements of ORS 166.412 (4)(a).
(3)(a) Upon receipt of a request for a criminal background check under this section, the department shall immediately, during the telephone call or by return call:
(A) Determine from criminal records and other information available to it whether the recipient is disqualified under ORS 166.470 from completing the transfer or is otherwise prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a firearm; and
(B) Notify the t
166.505 Permits to purchase firearms; rules. (1)(a) A person may apply for a permit-to-purchase a firearm or firearms under this section to the police chief or county sheriff with jurisdiction over the residence of the person making the application, or their designees, hereinafter referred to as “permit agent.”
(b) A person is qualified to be issued a permit-to-purchase under this section if the person:
(A) Is not prohibited from purchasing or acquiring a firearm under state or federal law, including but not limited to successfully completing a criminal background check as described under paragraph (e) of this subsection;
(B) Is not the subject of an order described in ORS 166.525 to 166.543;
(C) Does not present reasonable grounds for a permit agent to conclude that the applicant has been or is reasonably likely to be a danger to self or others, or to the community at large, as a result of the applicant’s mental or psychological state or as demonstrated by the applicant’s past pattern of behavior involving unlawful violence or threats of unlawful violence;
(D) Provides proof of completion of a firearm safety course as defined in subsection (8) of this section; and
(E) Pays the fee described in subsection (3)(b) of this section.
(c) An application for a permit under this section must state the applicant’s legal name, current address and telephone number, date and place of birth, physical description, and any additional information determined necessary by department rules. The application must be signed by the applicant in front of the permit agent.
(d) The permit agent shall verify the applicant’s identity with a government-issued form of identification bearing a photograph of the applicant.
(e) The applicant must submit to fingerprinting and photographing by t