166.432 Definitions for ORS 166.412 and 166.433 to 166.441. (1) As used in ORS 166.412, 166.433, 166.434, 166.435, 166.436 and 166.438, “criminal background check” or “criminal history record check” means determining the eligibility of a person to purchase or possess a firearm by reviewing state and federal databases including, but not limited to, the:
(a) Oregon computerized criminal history system;
(b) Oregon mental health data system;
(c) Law Enforcement Data System;
(d) National Instant Criminal Background Check System; and
(e) Stolen guns system.
(2) As used in ORS 166.433, 166.435, 166.436, 166.438 and 166.441:
(a) “Gun dealer” has the meaning given that term in ORS 166.412.
(b) “Gun show” means an event at which more than 25 firearms are on site and available for transfer. [2001 c.1 §3; 2015 c.50 §6; 2018 c.5 §8]
Note: 166.432, 166.433 and 166.445 were made a part of 166.432 to 166.445 by law but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 166 or any other series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.
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Uncodified sections printed in this chapter were amended or repealed by the Legislative Assembly during its 2026 regular session. See the table of uncodified sections amended or repealed during the 2026 regular session: 2026 A&R Tables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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Authority boundary: official snapshot extraction not current law verified.
Stable record: oregon_criminal_law:legal_authorities:166.432 Source file: ors166.html Pages: Not recorded – Not recorded Passage SHA-256: 3e5585dd6b30342643bad32cfbe52de9e459eed201f7c3b87a9d7b5a96e5dac8 Retained source evidence SHA-256: dd35e0da63555ebef88cc11cd6ae4309a37c3b744978829c3b2f00d59c0c08b8
Source location: ORS 166.432 (all printed versions and notes)
Stored source content
166.432 Definitions for ORS 166.412 and 166.433 to 166.441. (1) As used in ORS 166.412, 166.433, 166.434, 166.435, 166.436 and 166.438, “criminal background check” or “criminal history record check” means determining the eligibility of a person to purchase or possess a firearm by reviewing state and federal databases including, but not limited to, the:
(a) Oregon computerized criminal history system;
(b) Oregon mental health data system;
(c) Law Enforcement Data System;
(d) National Instant Criminal Background Check System; and
(e) Stolen guns system.
(2) As used in ORS 166.433, 166.435, 166.436, 166.438 and 166.441:
(a) “Gun dealer” has the meaning given that term in ORS 166.412.
(b) “Gun show” means an event at which more than 25 firearms are on site and available for transfer. [2001 c.1 §3; 2015 c.50 §6; 2018 c.5 §8]
Note: 166.432, 166.433 and 166.445 were made a part of 166.432 to 166.445 by law but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 166 or any other series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.
Cross-references
Connections may be documented source relationships, shared citations or nearby passages. Each explains its basis; a connection alone does not establish applicability to your situation.
Oregon criminal law — ORS Title 16 (2025 snapshot) · legal_authorities
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
166.433 Findings regarding transfers of firearms. The people of this state find that:
(1) The laws of Oregon regulating the sale of firearms contain a loophole that allows people other than gun dealers to sell firearms at gun shows without first conducting criminal background checks; and
(2) It is necessary for the safety of the people of Oregon that any person who transfers a firearm at a gun show be required to request a criminal background check before completing the transfer of the firearm. [2001 c.1 §1; 2015 c.50 §7]
Note: See note under 166.432.
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
166.257 Return of relinquished firearm. (1) Upon receiving a request to return a firearm or ammunition relinquished to a law enforcement agency pursuant to ORS 166.256, the law enforcement agency shall:
(a) Notify the Department of Justice of the return request for the purposes of notifying the petitioner of the order; and
(b) Hold the firearm or ammunition for 72 hours after receiving the request.
(2) Prior to returning the firearm or ammunition, the law enforcement agency shall:
(a) Confirm that the person to whom the law enforcement agency will return the firearm or ammunition is the lawful owner of the firearm or ammunition, or a person with a possessory right to the firearm or ammunition; and
(b) Perform a criminal background check as defined in ORS 166.432 to confirm that the person is not prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under state or federal law. [2019 c.201 §5]
Note: See note under 166.256.
166.445 Short title. ORS 166.432 to 166.445 and the amendments to ORS 166.416, 166.418 and 166.460 by sections 9, 10 and 11, chapter 1, Oregon Laws 2001, shall be known as the Gun Violence Prevention Act. [2001 c.1 §2]
Note: See note under 166.432.
166.503 Definitions. As used in this section and ORS 166.412, 166.435, 166.436, 166.438, 166.505 and 166.508:
(1) “Criminal background check” has the same meaning given to this term in ORS 166.432 (1)(a) to (e).
(2) “Department” means the Department of State Police.
(3) “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.
(4) “Permit” or “permit-to-purchase” means an authorization issued to a person to purchase or acquire a firearm, provided all other requirements at the time of purchase or acquisition are met.
(5) “Permit agent” means a county sheriff or police chief with jurisdiction over the residence of the person making an application for a permit-to-purchase, or their designees.
(6) “Transfer” has the meaning given that term in ORS 166.435 (1)(a).
(7) “Transferor” means a person who is not a gun dealer or licensed as a manufacturer or importer under 18 U.S.C. 923 and who intends to deliver a firearm to a transferee. [2023 c.1 §3]
Note: See first note under 166.412.
Note: See second note under 166.355.
Note: See third note under 166.355.
Note: See fourth note under 166.355.
167.508 Exemptions from ORS 167.502 and 167.506. (1) ORS 167.502 and 167.506 do not apply to a person who:
(a) Sells or exchanges new and unused property that was not produced or manufactured within the last five years as indicated by the style of the packaging or of the material itself;
(b) Sells by sample, catalog or brochure for future delivery; or
(c) Makes a sales presentation to a consumer who received an individualized invitation to attend the sales presentation prior to the sales presentation from an owner or legal occupant of the premises where the sales presentation takes place.
(2) The recordkeeping requirements in ORS 167.506 do not apply to:
(a) A person who sells or exchanges new and unused property at an event that is organized and operated:
(A) For the exclusive benefit of a community chest, a fund, a foundation, an association or a corporation; and
(B) For religious, educational or charitable purposes.
(b) A person who sells or exchanges motor vehicles or trailers that are subject to state vehicle registration requirements.
(c) A person who sells or exchanges new and unused property at a gun show as defined in ORS 166.432.
(d) A person who sells or exchanges new and unused property at a livestock auction market as defined in ORS 599.205. [2003 c.338 §4]