Multnomah County Gun Ordinance
The Multnomah County Commissioners unanimously adopted a proposal to enact a gun control ordinance in the county. It is very similar to the ordinance that was adopted by the City of Portland in 2010. Multnomah County’s proposal was supported by County Sheriff Dan Staton, District Attorney Rod Underhill and several pediatricians.
Key Provisions of the Ordinance:
• Makes it illegal to fire a gun within the County
• Bans possession of a loaded firearm in public, including in a vehicle in the public domain
• It will be illegal for someone to refuse to permit a police officer from inspecting that person’s firearm, clip, or magazine while they are possessing the item(s) in a public place
• Failure to report a gun theft would be considered a crime
• Makes it illegal for a child to possess a gun without the owner’s permission
• Creates a 7:00 p.m. mandatory curfew for any juvenile who has been convicted of a gun crime
• The ordinance will be effective countywide, unless a city within the county enacts separate legislation on the same subject matter
The provisions banning discharge of a firearm in the County, carrying a loaded gun in public, and refusing searches, do not apply to:
Those Listed in ORS 166.173(2)
• Law enforcement officers in performance of official duty
• Members of the military in the performance of official duty
• Persons licensed to carry a concealed handgun
• Persons authorized to possess a loaded firearm while in or on a public building or court facility under ORS 166.370
• Employees of the United States Department of Agriculture, acting within the scope of employment, who possesses a loaded firearm in the course of the lawful taking of wildlife
Also Exempted:
• Licensed hunters engaged in lawful hunting
• Persons engaged in target shooting at an established shooting range, shooting gallery or other area designed and built for the purpose of target shooting
• Government employees authorized or required by their employment or office to carry firearms
• Security guards employed at a financial institution insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation while on duty
• Persons with written authorization from the Multnomah County Sheriff or his designee
