ORS 166.355 — Manufacture, importation, possession, use, purchase, sale or transfer of large-capacity magazine

166.355 Manufacture, importation, possession, use, purchase, sale or transfer of large-capacity magazine. (1) As used in this section: (a) “Armed Forces of the United States” has the meaning given that term in ORS 348.282. (b) “Detachable magazine” means an ammunition feeding device that can be loaded or unloaded while detached from a firearm and readily inserted in a firearm. (c) “Fixed magazine” means an ammunition feeding device contained in or permanently attached to a firearm in such a manner that the device cannot be removed without disassembly of the firearm action. (d) “Large-capacity magazine” means a fixed or detachable magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, helical feeding device, or similar device, including any such device joined or coupled with another in any manner, or a kit with such parts, that has an overall capacity of, or that can be readily restored, changed, or converted to accept, more than 10 rounds of ammunition and allows a shooter to keep firing without having to pause to reload, but does not include any of the following: (A) An ammunition feeding device that has been permanently altered so that it is not capable, now or in the future, of accepting more than 10 rounds of ammunition; (B) An attached tubular device designed to accept, and capable of operating only with 0.22 caliber rimfire ammunition; or (C) A tubular ammunition feeding device that is contained in a lever-action firearm. (e) “Loaded” has the meaning given that term in ORS 166.360. (f) “Person” means any natural person, corporation, partnership, fire or association. (2) Notwithstanding ORS 166.250 to 166.470, and except as expressly provided in subsections (3) to (5) of this section, a person commits the crime of unlawful manufacture, importation, possession, use, purchase, sale or otherwise transferring of large-capacity magazines if the person manufactures, imports, possesses, uses, purchases, sells or otherwise transfers any large-capacity magazine in Oregon on or after December 8, 2022. (3) Subsection (2) of this section does not apply during the first 180 days following December 8, 2022, with respect to: (a) A licensed gun dealer that within 180 days of December 8, 2022: (A) Transfers or sells the large-capacity magazines in the gun dealer’s inventory to a nonresident gun dealer or other transferee outside of this state; (B) Purchases or acquires temporary custody from an owner of any large-capacity magazine for permanent removal from this state within 180 days of December 8, 2022; (C) Permanently alters any large-capacity magazine in the gun dealer’s inventory or custody so that it is not capable, upon alteration or in the future, of accepting more than 10 rounds of ammunition or permanently alter the magazine so it is no longer a; or (D) Permanently disposes of the large-capacity magazines in the gun dealer’s custody or inventory. (b) A firearms manufacturer, properly licensed under federal, state and local law, that is a party to a contract, in existence and binding on December 8, 2022, with an entity outside of this state, for the manufacture of large-capacity magazines, provided that: (A) All manufacturing is completed no later than 180 days after December 8, 2022; and (B) The entity outside of Oregon receiving the large-capacity magazines is made aware in writing on or before the delivery of the ammunition devices of the restrictions pertaining to large-capacity magazines in this state as set forth in chapter 1, Oregon Laws 2023. (4) Subsection (2) of this section does not apply at any time to: (a) A firearms manufacturer properly licensed under federal, state and local law that manufactures large-capacity magazines, provided: (A) The manufacturing is for exclusive sale or transfer to the Armed Forces of the United States or a law enforcement agency and solely for authorized use by that entity related to the official duties of the entity; and (B) Any large-capacity magazine, permitted to be manufactured under paragraph (a)(A) of this subsection after December 8, 2022, shall include a permanent stamp or marking indicating that the large-capacity magazine was manufactured or assembled after December 8, 2022. The stamp or marking must be legibly and conspicuously engraved or cast upon the outer surface of the large-capacity magazine. The department may promulgate such rules as may be necessary for the implementation of this section, including but not limited to rules requiring such large-capacity magazine be stamped with information indicating the limitation for use only by military and law enforcement or such other identification to distinguish clearly large-capacity magazines manufactured after December 8, 2022. Except as provided in subsection (3)(b) of this section, no large-capacity magazines without such stamp may be manufactured in this state after December 8, 2022. (b) A licensed gun dealer that sells or otherwise transfers large-capacity magazines to the Armed Forces of the United States or a law enforcement agency solely for authorized use by that entity, provided the large-capacity magazines have been engraved as provided in paragraph (a)(B) of this subsection. (c) Any government officer, agent or employee, member of the Armed Forces of the United States or peace officer, as that term is defined in ORS 133.005, that is authorized to acquire, possess or use a large-capacity magazine provided that any acquisition, possession or use is related directly to activities within the scope of that person’s official duties. (5) As of December 8, 2022, it shall be an affirmative defense, as provided in ORS 166.055, to the unlawful possession, use and transfer of a large-capacity magazine in this state by any person, provided that: (a) The large-capacity magazine was owned by the person before December 8, 2022, and maintained in the person’s control or possession; or (b) The possession of a large-capacity magazine was obtained by a person who, on or after December 8, 2022, acquired possession of the large-capacity magazine by operation of law upon the death of a former owner who was in legal possession of the large-capacity magazine; and (c) In addition to either paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection the owner has not maintained the large-capacity magazine in a manner other than: (A) On property owned or immediately controlled by the registered owner; (B) On the premises of a gun dealer or gunsmith licensed under 18 U.S.C. 923 for the purpose of lawful service or repair; (C) While engaging in the legal use of the large-capacity magazine, at a public or private shooting range or shooting gallery or for recreational activities such as hunting, to the extent permitted under state law; or (D) While participating in firearms competition or exhibition, display or educational project about firearms sponsored, conducted by, approved or under the auspices of a law enforcement agency or a national or state-recognized entity that fosters proficiency in firearms use or promotes firearms education; and (E) While transporting any large-capacity magazines in a vehicle to one of the locations authorized in paragraph (c)(A) to (D) of this subsection, the large-capacity magazine is not inserted into the firearm and is locked in a separate container. (d) The person has permanently and voluntarily relinquished the large-capacity magazine to law enforcement or to a buyback or turn-in program approved by law enforcement, prior to commencement of prosecution by arrest, citation or a formal charge. (6) Unlawful manufacture, importation, possession, use, purchase, sale or otherwise transferring of a large-capacity magazine is a Class A misdemeanor. [2023 c.1 §11] Note: Section 13, chapter 1, Oregon Laws 2023, provides: Sec. 13. The provisions of ORS 166.355 apply to the manufacture, importation, possession, use, purchase, sale or transfer of a large-capacity magazine occurring on or after March 15, 2026. [2023 c.1 §13; 2025 c.594 §7] Note: The Act that comprises chapter 1, Oregon Laws 2023 (Ballot Measure 114 (2022)), was proposed by initiative petition and was approved by the people at the regular general election on November 8, 2022. By proclamation of the Governor dated December 8, 2022, the Act was declared to have received an affirmative majority of the total number of votes cast thereon and to be in full force and effect as provided in Article IV, section 1, of the Oregon Constitution. However, implementation of the Act was permanently enjoined by the Harney County Circuit Court and an appellate decision is pending. See Arnold v. Kotek, Harney County Circuit Court Case No. 22CV41008; Appellate Case No. A183242. Note: Chapter 1, Oregon Laws 2023 (Ballot Measure 114 (2022)), provided that 166.355, 166.412, 166.435, 166.436, 166.438, 166.500, 166.503, 166.505, 166.508 and 166.512 and section 10, chapter 1, Oregon Laws 2023, were added to and made a part of ORS 166.210 to 166.490, a nonexistent series. This series has not been included in the Oregon Revised Statutes. Note: 166.355, 166.503, 166.505 and 166.508 were enacted as part of Ballot Measure 114 (2022). The measure also amended ORS 166.412, 166.435, 166.436 and 166.438. The measure included a preamble, unit captions and section captions. The preamble and captions have not been included in the Oregon Revised Statutes, but are available by accessing chapter 1, Oregon Laws 2023. Note: Legislative Counsel has substituted “chapter 1, Oregon Laws 2023,” for the words “this 2022 Act,”, “this Act” and “this Chapter” in sections 2, 11 and 12, chapter 1, Oregon Laws 2023, compiled as ORS 166.355, 166.500 and 166.512. Specific ORS references have not been substituted, pursuant to 173.160. The sections for which substitution otherwise would be made may be determined by referring to the 2023 Comparative Section Table located in Volume 22 of ORS. (Possession of Weapons in Public Buildings or Court Facilities)