Have you been charged with unlawful possession or usage of a weapon in Oregon?
In Oregon, there are a wide variety of potential criminal offenses for the possession or usage of certain weapons. This could include concealing certain types of weapons, negligently wounding another, or even just pointing a firearm at another person negligently. While Oregonians tend to favor 2nd Amendment possession of arms, they also believe in limits to those rights, which could result in criminal conviction. A weapons conviction could have collateral consequences beyond the penalties for the underlying offense and can follow someone even past completion of the court’s sentence, such as damage to your reputation and other personal relationships. One of the additional consequences could be the permanent loss of your 2nd Amendment right to possess arms. What is Negligently Wounding Another with a weapon?
- If the person failed to use ordinary care of the weapon; and
- If the injury was the result of a bullet, shot, or arrow from a firearm or bow.
When is pointing a firearm at another a criminal offense?
- If the person charged is over the age of 12 years;
- If the person charged intentionally pointed or aimed either a loaded or unloaded pistol, gun, revolver, or other firearm at or toward another person; and
- The other person was within the range of the firearm.
When is it an unlawful usage of a weapon?
- When there is an attempt to use a dangerous or deadly weapon against another:
- If a person intentionally attempted to use the weapon unlawfully against another any dangerous or deadly weapon, which includes but is not limited to firearms.
- When there is an unlawful discharge of a weapon within the city towards another person or property:
- If a person intentionally discharges a firearm, blowgun, bow and arrow, crossbow, or explosive device within city limits or a residential area within urban growth boundaries;
- The weapon was discharged at or in the direction of a person, building, structure, or vehicle;
- The weapon was in range of the person, building, structure, or vehicle; and
- The person who discharged the weapon had no legal authority to do so.
- When does simply carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon become a criminal offense:
- If a person carries or possesses any deadly or dangerous weapon; and
- That person intends to use it unlawfully against another person.
Is it legal for me to possess weapon X, Y, or Z?
- If you have been convicted of a felony, you may not legally possess any firearm, explosive device, or a variety of other weapons, such as:
- Switchblades, butterfly knives, or similar spring or centrifugal force blades;
- Blackjacks
- Slungshots
- Sandclubs
- Sandbags
- Sap gloves
- Metal knuckles
- Electro-muscular disruption devices including tasers and stun guns
- Dirks, daggers, and stilettos
Is it legal for me to carry a concealed weapon?
- If you have a felony on your record, or even a misdemeanor violent offense, it may be unlawful for you to carry any concealed weapons within the State of Oregon;
- If your record is clean, you may be able to obtain an Oregon Concealed Handgun License, or CHL;
- There are some weapons that are always unlawful to carry concealed, which include but are not limited to:
- knife having a blade that projects or swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force;
- dirk
- dagger
- ice pick
- slungshot; or
- metal knuckles
Can I be in have firearm X?
- You may be found to be in violation of Oregon law if you knowingly possessed:
- A machine gun;
- A short-barreled rifle
- A short-barreled shogun; or
- A firearms “silencer”.
There are frequently exceptions to many of the weapon laws in Oregon, and our team is here to help you navigate those laws to make sure that you are staying within the boundaries of what arms you are legally allowed to possess, along with where you are allowed to carry them, and how you are allowed to carry them.
If you have been accused of a crime, please call us.