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.
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Uncodified sections printed in this chapter were amended or repealed by the Legislative Assembly during its 2026 regular session. See the table of uncodified sections amended or repealed during the 2026 regular session: 2026 A&R Tables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:166.503 Source file: ors166.html Pages: Not recorded – Not recorded Passage SHA-256: d73790a19c652c41c4e30536d31a7527c2ebb97a34722601630f9c722a9fd7cb Retained source evidence SHA-256: dd35e0da63555ebef88cc11cd6ae4309a37c3b744978829c3b2f00d59c0c08b8
Source location: ORS 166.503 (all printed versions and notes)
Stored source content
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.
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
166.432 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.
166.435 Firearm transfers by unlicensed persons; requirements; exceptions; penalties. (1) As used in this section:
(a) “Transfer” means the delivery of a firearm from a transferor to a transferee, including, but not limited to, the sale, gift, loan or lease of the firearm. “Transfer” does not include the temporary provision of a firearm to a transferee if the transferor has no reason to believe the transferee is prohibited from possessing a firearm or intends to use the firearm in the commission of a crime, and the provision occurs:
(A) At a shooting range, shooting gallery or other area designed for the purpose of target shooting, for use during target practice, a firearms safety or training course or class or a similar lawful activity;
(B) For the purpose of hunting, trapping or target shooting, during the time in which the transferee is engaged in activities related to hunting, trapping or target shooting;
(C) Under circumstances in which the transferee and the firearm are in the presence of the transferor;
(D) To a transferee who is in the business of repairing firearms, for the time during which the firearm is being repaired;
(E) To a transferee who is in the business of making or repairing custom accessories for firearms, for the time during which the accessories are being made or repaired; or
(F) For the purpose of preventing imminent death or serious physical injury, and the provision lasts only as long as is necessary to prevent the death or serious physical injury.
(b) “Transferee” 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 receive a firearm from a transferor.
(c) “Transferor” means a person who is not a gun dealer or licensed as a manufacturer or importer under 18 U.S.C. 923
**(a)** As used in this chapter—
(1) The term “person” and the term “whoever” include any individual, corporation, company, association, firm, partnership, society, or joint stock company.
(2) The term “interstate or foreign commerce” includes commerce between any place in a State and any place outside of that State, or within any possession of the United States (not including the Canal Zone) or the District of Columbia, but such term does not include commerce between places within the same State but through any place outside of that State. The term “State” includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the possessions of the United States (not including the Canal Zone).
(3) The term “firearm” means (A) any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; (B) the frame or receiver of any such weapon; (C) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or (D) any destructive device. Such term does not include an antique firearm.
(4) The term “destructive device” means—
(A) any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas—
(i) bomb,
(ii) grenade,
(iii) rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces,
(iv) missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce,
(v) mine, or
(vi) device similar to any of the devices described in the preceding clauses;
(B) any type of weapon (other than a shotgun or a shotgun shell which the Attorney General finds is generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes) by whatever name known which will, or which may be readily converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant, and which has any barrel with a bore of
Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. The source passage cites 18 U.S.C. § 921. This identifies an authority to review, not proof of applicability.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
§ 921. Definitions
(a) As used in this chapter—
(1) The term ‘‘person’’ and the term ‘‘whoever’’
include any individual, corporation, company,
association, firm, partnership, society, or joint
stock company.
(2) The term ‘‘interstate or foreign commerce’’
includes commerce between any place in a State
and any place outside of that State, or within
any possession of the United States (not includ-
ing the Canal Zone) or the District of Columbia,
but such term does not include commerce be-
tween places within the same State but through
any place outside of that State. The term
‘‘State’’ includes the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the posses-
sions of the United States (not including the
Canal Zone).
(3) The term ‘‘firearm’’ means (A) any weapon
(including a starter gun) which will or is de-
signed to or may readily be converted to expel a
projectile by the action of an explosive; (B) the
frame or receiver of any such weapon; (C) any
firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or (D) any
destructive device. Such term does not include
an antique firearm.
(4) The term ‘‘destructive device’’ means—
(A) any explosive, incendiary, or poison
gas—
(i) bomb,
(ii) grenade,
(iii) rocket having a propellant charge of
more than four ounces,
(iv) missile having an explosive or incen-
diary charge of more than one-quarter
ounce,
(v) mine, or
(vi) device similar to any of the devices de-
scribed in the preceding clauses;
(B) any type of weapon (other than a shot-
gun or a shotgun shell which the Attorney
General finds is generally recognized as par-
ticularly suitable for sporting purposes) by
whatever name known which will, or which
may be readily converted to, expel a projectile
by the action of an explosive or other propel-
lant, a
Stored review status: historical_2024_not_currentness_verified. The source passage cites 18 U.S.C. § 921. This identifies an authority to review, not proof of applicability.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a)** No person shall engage in the business of importing, manufacturing, or dealing in firearms, or importing or manufacturing ammunition, until he has filed an application with and received a license to do so from the Attorney General. The application shall be in such form and contain only that information necessary to determine eligibility for licensing as the Attorney General shall by regulation prescribe and shall include a photograph and fingerprints of the applicant. Each applicant shall pay a fee for obtaining such a license, a separate fee being required for each place in which the applicant is to do business, as follows:
(1) If the applicant is a manufacturer—
(A) of destructive devices, ammunition for destructive devices or armor piercing ammunition, a fee of $1,000 per year;
(B) of firearms other than destructive devices, a fee of $50 per year; or
(C) of ammunition for firearms, other than ammunition for destructive devices or armor piercing ammunition, a fee of $10 per year.
(2) If the applicant is an importer—
(A) of destructive devices, ammunition for destructive devices or armor piercing ammunition, a fee of $1,000 per year; or
(B) of firearms other than destructive devices or ammunition for firearms other than destructive devices, or ammunition other than armor piercing ammunition, a fee of $50 per year.
(3) If the applicant is a dealer—
(A) in destructive devices or ammunition for destructive devices, a fee of $1,000 per year; or
(B) who is not a dealer in destructive devices, a fee of $200 for 3 years, except that the fee for renewal of a valid license shall be $90 for 3 years.
**(b)** Any person desiring to be licensed as a collector shall file an application for such license with the Attorney General. The application shall
Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. The source passage cites 18 U.S.C. § 923. This identifies an authority to review, not proof of applicability.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
§ 923. Licensing
(a) No person shall engage in the business of
importing, manufacturing, or dealing in fire-
arms, or importing or manufacturing ammuni-
tion, until he has filed an application with and
received a license to do so from the Attorney
General. The application shall be in such form
and contain only that information necessary to
determine eligibility for licensing as the Attor-
ney General shall by regulation prescribe and
shall include a photograph and fingerprints of
the applicant. Each applicant shall pay a fee for
obtaining such a license, a separate fee being re-
quired for each place in which the applicant is
to do business, as follows:
(1) If the applicant is a manufacturer—
(A) of destructive devices, ammunition for
destructive devices or armor piercing ammuni-
tion, a fee of $1,000 per year;
(B) of firearms other than destructive de-
vices, a fee of $50 per year; or
(C) of ammunition for firearms, other than
ammunition for destructive devices or armor
piercing ammunition, a fee of $10 per year.
(2) If the applicant is an importer—
(A) of destructive devices, ammunition for
destructive devices or armor piercing ammuni-
tion, a fee of $1,000 per year; or
(B) of firearms other than destructive de-
vices or ammunition for firearms other than
destructive devices, or ammunition other than
armor piercing ammunition, a fee of $50 per
year.
(3) If the applicant is a dealer—
(A) in destructive devices or ammunition for
destructive devices, a fee of $1,000 per year; or
(B) who is not a dealer in destructive de-
vices, a fee of $200 for 3 years, except that the
fee for renewal of a valid license shall be $90
for 3 years.
(b) Any person desiring to be licensed as a col-
lector shall file an application for such license
with the Attorney
Stored review status: historical_2024_not_currentness_verified. The source passage cites 18 U.S.C. § 923. This identifies an authority to review, not proof of applicability.