Oregon enacted comprehensive firearm storage requirements through Senate Bill 554 (2021), codified as ORS 166.390-166.403, known as the Cindy Yuille...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
Oregon enacted comprehensive firearm storage requirements through Senate Bill 554 (2021), codified as ORS 166.390-166.403, known as the Cindy Yuille and Steve Forsyth Act (ORS 166.390). These provisions establish mandatory storage requirements, reporting obligations for lost or stolen firearms, and transfer security requirements.
An owner or possessor of a firearm must, at all times that the firearm is not carried by or under the control of the owner, possessor, or authorized person, secure the firearm by one of the following methods:
(ORS 166.395(1)(a))
A firearm is not considered secured if:
The storage requirement does not apply when:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Authorized person | A person authorized by the owner or possessor to temporarily carry or control the firearm while in the presence of the owner or possessor |
| Container | A box, case, chest, locker, safe, or similar receptacle (including within a vehicle: a glove compartment, enclosed trunk, or center console) equipped with a tamper-resistant lock |
| Control | The owner/possessor is close enough to prevent an unauthorized person from obtaining the firearm; OR the owner/possessor is in their own residence, alone or with authorized non-minor co-residents, and the residence is secure |
| Gun room | An area within a building enclosed by walls, floor, and ceiling (including a closet) with all entrances secured by a tamper-resistant lock, kept locked when unoccupied, used for firearm storage or firearm-related activities |
| Trigger or cable lock | A device installed in a firearm designed to prevent operation without first deactivating the device; or a device incorporated into the firearm's design to prevent operation by unauthorized persons |
| Minor | A person under 18 years of age |
| Firearm | As defined in ORS 166.210, except it does not include a firearm rendered permanently inoperable |
| Violation | Classification | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Failure to secure a firearm | Class C violation | Up to $500 fine |
| Failure to secure a firearm when a minor obtains the unsecured firearm and the owner knew or should have known a minor could gain unauthorized access | Class A violation | Up to $2,000 fine |
If a firearm obtained as a result of a storage violation is used to injure a person or property within two years of the violation, the violation constitutes per se negligence in a civil action. The presumption of negligence may not be overcome by showing the owner acted reasonably.
Exceptions to civil liability (ORS 166.395(4)):
When transferring a firearm that requires a criminal background check under ORS 166.435, the transferor must transfer the firearm:
| Violation | Classification | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Failure to secure firearm during transfer | Class C violation | Up to $500 fine |
A person who owns, possesses, or controls a firearm must report the loss or theft to a law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction where the loss or theft occurred:
| Violation | Classification | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Failure to report loss/theft | Class B violation | Up to $1,000 fine |
| Knowingly providing false information in a report | Crime of initiating a false report under ORS 162.375 | Criminal penalties |
Within 24 hours of receiving a report, a law enforcement agency must create a record in the Law Enforcement Data System or another electronic database as determined by the Department of State Police.
A person who delivers or otherwise transfers a firearm to a minor must directly supervise the minor's use of the firearm.
SB 554 requires gun dealers to post in a prominent location a notice, in block letters not less than one inch in height, stating:
"The purchaser of a firearm has an obligation to store firearms in a safe manner and to prevent unsupervised access to a firearm by a minor. If a minor or unauthorized person obtains access to a firearm and the owner failed to store the firearm in a safe manner, the owner may be in violation of the law."
Portland has an additional local ordinance that makes it an offense to fail to prevent access to a firearm by a minor when the person knew or reasonably should have known a minor could gain access:
| Violation | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|
| Minor gains access to firearm on premises | Up to 10 days incarceration and $500 fine |
| Minor gains access and carries firearm off premises | Up to 20 days incarceration and $750 fine |
| Minor carries firearm to a school or school event | Up to 30 days incarceration and $2,500 fine |
Defenses under Portland Code:
Authorized Department of Corrections staff may possess a personal handgun in their vehicle parked in a department parking lot if:
SB 554 (Chapter 146, Oregon Laws 2021) took effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die of the 2021 Regular Session.
This page covers one part of our Oregon concealed carry guide.
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