Brief Overview Of Oregon State Laws Concerning Air Guns
Oregon has state laws restricting air guns.
How old do you need to be to purchase a BB gun, airgun, air rifle or pellet gun in Oregon?
In Oregon you must be 18 Years Old to purchase a BB gun, airgun, air rifle or pellet gun.
Oregon Air Gun Hunting Regulations
Oregon allows air gun hunting for certain species. These species include:
• Coyote
• Opossum
• Porcupine
• Rabbit
Air Gun Laws In Local Jurisdictions
In addition to state laws, local jurisdictions may also have their own laws regulating air guns. Below are the laws for local jurisdictions in the state of Oregon.
BAKER CITY, OREGON – Air Gun Laws and Hunting Regulations
CHAPTER 130: GENERAL OFFENSES – Baker City, Oregon – Code of Ordinances
§ 130.02 – DISCHARGE OF WEAPONS.
(A) No person other than an authorized peace officer shall fire or discharge within the city any air gun or weapon which acts by force of gunpowder or other explosive or by the use of jet or rocket propulsion.
(B) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prohibit the firing or discharging of any weapon by:
(1) Any person in the defense or protection of his or her property, person or family;
(2) At any place duly designated or commonly used for target practice; and
(3) Any person authorized in advance by the City Manager to engage in rodent control at Mt. Hope Cemetery, while the person is actually engaged in such control.
(Ord. 2976, passed 11-8-1988) Penalty, see § 130.99
CARLTON, OREGON – Air Gun Laws and Hunting Regulations
Chapter 9.02 OFFENSES Carlton, Oregon Code of Ordinances.
9.02.043 Air guns.
It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge an air gun or to use any bean shooter, slingshot, or other similar weapon or device.
(Ord. 234 § 43, 1940)
CHILOQUIN, OREGON – Air Gun Laws and Hunting Regulations
Chapter 9.28 WEAPONS Chiloquin, Oregon Code of Ordinances
9.28.020 Discharge of weapons.
A. No person other than an authorized peace officer shall fire or discharge within the city any air gun or weapon which acts by force of gunpowder or other explosive, or by the use of jet or rocket propulsion.
B. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prohibit the firing or discharging of any weapon by:
1. Any person in the defense or protection of his property, person or family;
2. At any place duly designated or commonly used for target practice.
(Ord. 160 §6, 1957)
COQUILLE, OREGON – Air Gun Laws and Hunting Regulations
Chapter 9.20 WEAPONS – Coquille, Oregon – Code of Ordinances
9.20.020 – Discharging air guns.
Except on a person’s own property or as set out in Section 9.20.030, no person shall discharge an air gun within the city limits.
(Ord. 1296 § 3, 1991)
9.20.030 – Designated locations to discharge firearms.
Nothing herein shall prohibit the common council of the city from designating locations within the city limits at which the discharging of firearms or air guns may be allowed. No such location shall be approved by the council unless adequate provisions are made for public safety and noise containment.
(Ord. 1296 § 4, 1991)
ENTERPRISE, OREGON – Air Gun Laws and Hunting Regulations
Chapter 9.12 OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE AND DECENCY – Enterprise, Oregon – Code of Ordinances
9.12.180 – Killing birds prohibited.
Any person who shall discharge any firearm, air gun, or other similar device, or who shall throw any missile at any nongame bird with intent to kill or injure the same shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Ord. 219 § 45, 1939)
HINES, OREGON – Air Gun Laws and Hunting Regulations
Chapter 9.12 WEAPONS AND FIREWORKS Hines, Oregon Code of Ordinances
9.12.020 Discharge of weapons.
Except at firing ranges approved by the council, no person other than a peace officer shall fire or discharge a gun, including spring or air-actuated pellet guns, air guns or BB guns, or other weapon which propels a projectile by use of gunpowder or other explosive, jet or rocket propulsion.
(Ord. 196 §22, 1990)
Independence, OREGON – Air Gun Laws and Hunting Regulations
ARTICLE VIII. WEAPONS AND FIREWORKS Independence, Oregon Code of Ordinances
Sec. 18-231. Possession of firearms.
(a) Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Firearm means a pistol, revolver, gun, rifle, including a miniature weapon, spring gun, air gun, BB gun or other weapon which projects a missile or shot by force of gunpowder or any other explosive, by spring or by compressed air, jet or rocket propulsion.
(b) It is unlawful for any person to possess or carry a firearm, loaded or unloaded, in a park, public building, school, school premises, school parking lot or school premises used in connection with public passenger transportation.
(c) The prohibitions in this section do not apply to:
(1) A law enforcement officer in the performance of official duty, a member of the military in performance of official duty, a person licensed to possess a loaded firearm while in or on a public building or court facility under ORS 166.370, an employee 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, to any government employee authorized or required by their employment or office to carry or use firearms, or to any person authorized by permit of the Chief of Police to possess or discharge a firearm;
(2) Any person issued a lawful concealed weapons permit;
(3) The possession of a bow and arrow in an archery range duly established and supervised as a part of a formal program of education by any recognized institution of learning;
(4) Persons authorized by written permission of the Chief of Police to discharge blank ammunition for a lawful purpose; or
(5) Hunters using the Riverview Park dock facility as access for boat hunting.
(d) The offense described in this section is an Independence Municipal Code Class A violation, per section 1-22
(Prior Code, § 44.186; Code 2006, § 9.24.1; Ord. No. 1249, § 1, 1991; Ord. No. 1468, § 1, 2008)
Sec. 18-232. Discharging a weapon.
(a) A person commits the offense of discharging a weapon if he discharges a firearm, air rifle, pellet gun, bow and arrow, sling shot, catapult or other device capable of propelling a shot, arrow or other projectile with force sufficient to cause risk of injury to person or property, within the limits of the city.
(b) This section shall not apply to:
(1) A person discharging a firearm in the lawful defense of personal or property;
(2) A person discharging a firearm on a public or private shooting range, shooting gallery or other area designed and built for the purpose of target shooting;
(3) An employee of the United States Department of Agriculture, acting within the scope of employment, discharging a firearm in the course of the lawful taking of wildlife;
(4) A peace officer who shall discharge a firearm in the line of the official duty;
(5) The discharge of an arrow in an archery range duly established and supervised as a part of a formal program of education by any recognized institution of learning;
(6) Any person justified in using deadly physical force under the provisions of ORS ch. 161;
(7) Adult persons (age 18 years or older) utilizing a pellet gun to euthanize a Nutria which has been caught in a trap on private property, and with permission of the property owner. Persons so discharging a weapon under this exemption must first notify the Independence Police Department to advise their name, location and approximate time they will be using the weapon.
(c) The offense described in this section is an Independence Municipal Code Class A violation, per section 1-22
(Prior Code, § 44.185; Code 2006, § 9.24.2; Ord. No. 1207, § 1, 1990; Ord. No. 1468, § 1, 2008)
Sec. 18-233. Concealed weapons.
Except as provided in ORS 166.240, 166.260 and 166.291, no person shall carry concealed about the person’s person or carry concealed in a vehicle a revolver, pistol or other firearm; any knife other than an ordinary pocket knife; any dirk, dagger or stiletto; any metal knuckles; or any other weapon by the use of which injury could be inflicted upon the person or property of another. For purposes of this section, the term “ordinary pocket knife” is one with a maximum blade length of 3½ inches, which is not a switchblade or spring-blade knife. The offense described in this section is an Independence Municipal Code Class A violation, per section 1-22.
(Prior Code, § 44.180; Code 2006, § 9.24.3)
ARTICLE IX. CITY PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS Independence, Oregon Code of Ordinances
Sec. 26-375. Activities prohibited exceptions.
(a) Prohibited acts. The following activities shall be prohibited, except under specified conditions:
(1) Use of alcoholic beverages in parks. It is unlawful for any person to possess or consume any alcoholic beverage in a park, except under the following conditions:
(4) Hunting and firearms. It is unlawful for any person to hunt, trap or pursue wildlife at any time, or to use, carry or possess loaded firearms, air rifles, spring guns, bows and arrows, slings or any other form of weapon potentially harmful to wildlife and/or human safety, or any instrument that can be loaded with and fire blank cartridges or any kind of trapping device, or any weapon designated as dangerous by the laws of the state. Excepted from this provision are instruments loaded with blank cartridges used at bona fide, licensed track and field events, sporting events or organized and licensed black-powder shooting events. Further excepted are hunters using the park facility as access for boat hunting. In this exception, hunters must ensure that their guns are unloaded.
LEBANON, OREGON – Air Gun Laws and Hunting Regulations
Chapter 9.20 WEAPONS – Lebanon, Oregon – Code of Ordinances
9.20.030 – Discharge—Prohibited.
A. No person other than an authorized peace officer shall fire or discharge within the city any gun, including any weapon which acts by force of gunpowder or other explosive, or by the use of jet or rocket propulsion or spring gun.
B. No person other than an authorized peace officer shall discharge any air gun or crossbow or bow and arrow except with the permission of the affected property owner or other person lawfully in control of the property. No projectile so discharged may leave the property upon which permission to discharge was granted.
(Ord. 2115 § 1, 1992: Ord. 1800 § 17(1), 1980)
(Ord. No. 2793, § 1, 4-14-2010)
ONTARIO, OREGON- Air Gun Laws and Hunting Regulations
No Air-gun ordinances listed.
OREGON CITY, OREGON – Air Gun Laws and Hunting Regulations
Chapter 9.24 WEAPONS Oregon City, Oregon Code of Ordinances
.24.030 Air guns.
It is unlawful for any person under eighteen years of age to possess or discharge a gun capable of discharging a projectile by means of a spring or compressed air, commonly known as an air gun, and it is unlawful for any person to permit another under eighteen years of age to possess or discharge such a gun, except at a safeguarded target range under the supervision of an adult.
(Ord. 07-1005 § 1(part), 2007)
PHOENIX, OREGON – Air Gun Laws and Hunting Regulations
Chapter 9.24 WEAPONS – Phoenix, Oregon – Code of Ordinances
9.24.010 – Discharging firearms, bows, slingshots, explosives prohibited.
No person shall use, discharge or fire any hunting bow, crossbow, or hunting slingshot, or use explosives, nor shall any person discharge any air-rifle, rifle, gun, revolver or other firearm, within the corporate limits of Phoenix, Oregon; provided, however, that this section shall not prevent the discharge of firearms by police officers in the performance of their duties or by a private citizen in the lawful protection of persons or property.
(Ord. 575 § 1, 1984: Ord. 263 § 2, 1967)
9.24.020 – Violation—Penalty.
Violation of any provision of this section shall be punishable upon conviction by a fine pursuant to Section 1.20.020 of this code. Any peace officer may, upon reasonable cause to believe that a violation of this section has occurred, confiscate the firearm used to violate this section; provided, however, the firearm shall be returned in the event of acquittal or dismissal of the charge.
(Ord. 881, 2007: Ord. 263 § 3, 1967)
Chapter 12.28 GREENWAY – Phoenix, Oregon – Code of Ordinances
12.28.050 – Regulations; prohibitions.
All regulations of the Greenway shall apply to and be in full force and effect within the Greenway area unless otherwise specifically authorized by Sections 12.28.010 to 12.28.080 or by declaration of the Greenway Authority or local unit of government independent of each other as a representative of each applicable jurisdictional boundary affected by the Greenway.
(M) Firearms, Air Guns and Other Weapons. No person, other than law enforcement officers performing their official duties, shall discharge any firearm, air gun, pellet gun, bow and arrow, slingshot or other projectile propelling device within the Greenway
PORTLAND, OREGON – Air Gun Laws and Hunting Regulations
Below are the laws and regulations pertaining to airgun, BB guns, pellet guns and the like for Portland Oregon:
14A.10.010 Definitions
I. Firearm: a pistol, revolver, gun, rifle, or other mechanism, including a miniature weapon, which projects a missile or shot by force of gunpowder or any other explosive, by spring or by compressed air.
17.43.060 Possession of Weapons.
No person shall possess in any pedestrian plaza anything specifically designed for and presently capable of causing, or carried with the intent to threaten or cause, bodily harm to another. Things prohibited under this Section include, but are not limited to: any firearm, pellet gun, spring-loaded weapon, stun gun or taser, any knife having a blade that projects or swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force, any knife with a blade longer than 3-½ inches, any dirk, dagger, ice-pick, sling shot, slungshot, metal knuckles, nunchaku, studded handcoverings, swords, straight razors, tear gas containers, saps, sap gloves, hatchets or axes. The prohibitions of this Section do not apply to handguns lawfully carried by persons exempt from local regulation under ORS 163.173. The prohibitions of this Section do not apply to any thing possessed or used to carry out actions authorized by any contract or permit in any pedestrian plaza.
20.12.050 Possession of Weapons.
(Corrected under authority of PCC Section 1.01.035 on June 2, 2017.) No person shall possess in any Park any thing specifically designed for and presently capable of causing, or carried with the intent to threaten or cause, bodily harm to another. Things prohibited under this Section include, but are not limited to: any firearm, pellet gun, spring-loaded weapon, stun gun or taser, any knife having a blade that projects or swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force, any knife with a blade longer than 3-½ inches, any dirk, dagger, ice-pick, sling shot, slungshot, metal knuckles, nunchaku, studded handcoverings, swords, straight razors, tear gas containers, saps, sap gloves, hatchets or axes. The prohibitions of this Section do not apply to handguns lawfully carried by persons exempt from local regulation under ORS 166.173. The prohibitions of this Section do not apply to any thing possessed or used to carry out actions authorized by any contract or permit in any Park.
14A.70.120 Unlawful Amusement Games and Concessions.
A. It is unlawful for any person to manage, operate, or profit from any unlawful amusement game or concession.
B. As used in this Section, “unlawful amusement game or concession” includes the following:
7. Any amusement concession or game in which the patron or contestant is required to shoot a firearm, air gun, pellet gun, BB gun, or similar device at a target in order to win the amusement concession or game, unless all of the ammunition used in such devices is uniform in type, size, and weight, and the devices are physically attached or controlled to ensure that they can only be pointed toward the target area at all times.
3.18.020 Rules of Conduct at City Property.
(Corrected under authority of PCC Section 1.01.035 on June 2, 2017.)
A. To maintain an environment that promotes orderly administrative and business operations, and to take reasonable and prudent actions to protect the health, welfare and safety of all persons at City Property, the Rules of Conduct in this Section apply and are to be enforced at all City Property except where specific rules of conduct or prohibitions have been adopted for designated real property the City owns or has a property interest or property management responsibilities.
B. The Rules of Conduct for City Property are as follows:
6. No person shall possess any object specifically designed for and presently capable of causing, or carried with the intent to threaten or cause, bodily harm to another. Objects prohibited under this Paragraph include, but are not limited to, any firearm, pellet gun, spring-loaded weapon, stun gun or taser, any knife having a blade that projects or swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force, any knife with a blade longer than 3-½ inches, any dirk, dagger, ice pick, sling shot, slungshot, metal knuckles, nunchaku, studded hand coverings, swords, straight razors, tear gas, tear gas weapon, mace, pepper mace or similar deleterious agent, saps, sap gloves, hatchets or axes. The prohibitions of this Paragraph do not apply to handguns lawfully carried by persons exempt from local regulation under ORS 166.173. The prohibitions of this Paragraph do not apply to any thing possessed or used to carry out actions authorized by any contract or permit at the City Property.
14A.110.290 Discharge or Detonation of a Weapon.
No person may throw an object at or discharge a bow and arrow, air rifle, rifle gun, revolver or other firearm at a Portland Streetcar vehicle or any part of a Portland Streetcar station, or any person on a Portland Streetcar vehicle or at a Portland Streetcar station, except that a peace officer or other persons authorized this code or the Director of Transportation in the course of employment is exempt from this paragraph.
ROSEBURG, OREGON – Air Gun Laws and Hunting Regulations
No Air-gun ordinances listed.
SHERIDAN, OREGON – Air Gun Laws and Hunting Regulations
Chapter 9.36 WEAPONS – Sheridan, Oregon – Code of Ordinances
9.36.010 – Discharge of weapons.
A. No person other than an authorized peace officer shall fire or discharge a gun or other weapon, including spring or air-actuated pellet guns, air guns, or BB guns, or a weapon which propels a projectile by use of gunpowder or other explosive, jet, or rocket propulsion.
B. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prohibit the firing or discharging of a weapon by any person in the defense or protection of his or her property, person or family.
(Ord. 66-10 § 7, 1966)
Chapter 12.24 PARKS – Sheridan, Oregon – Code of Ordinances
12.24.020 – Rules and regulations for city parks.
A. General Rules of Use.
6. Firearms, B.B. guns, air rifles, knives other than cooking cutlery and pocket knives in the possession of an adult, slingshots or similar objects capable of inflicting bodily harm shall not be allowed in city park.
SHERWOOD, OREGON – Air Gun Laws and Hunting Regulations
Chapter 9.36 OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE AND DECENCY – Sherwood, Oregon – Code of Ordinances
9.36.140 – Unlawful discharge of weapons.
A. No person, other than a peace officer, shall fire or discharge within the city any gun or other weapon, including spring or air actuated pellet guns, air guns, BB guns, or other weapons which propel a projectile by use of gun powder or other explosive, jet or rocket propulsion, use of gas or other propellant.
B. No person may shoot a slingshot, blow gun, bow and arrow or any instrument of any similar type or throw a dagger, spear, stiletto, throwing star or any instrument of any other type.
C. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prohibit the firing or discharging of any weapon by:
1. Persons lawfully defending life or property as provided in ORS 161.219; or
2. Persons discharging firearms, blowguns, bows and arrows, crossbows or explosive devices upon public or private shooting ranges, shooting galleries or other areas designated and built for the purpose of target shooting.
D. Unlawful discharge of weapons is a Class B violation.
(Ord. 98-1044 § 29; Ord. 97-1030: Ord. 91-941)
SILETZ, OREGON – Air Gun Laws and Hunting Regulations
Chapter 4.01 CRIMINAL CODE Siletz, Oregon Code of Ordinances
4.01.030 Discharging weapons.
A. No person other than a police officer shall fire or discharge any gun or other weapon, including spring-actuated or air-actuated pellet guns, or weapons which propel a projectile by use of a bow or sling, explosives, or jet or rocket propulsion.
B. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prohibit the firing or discharging of any weapon:
1. By any person in the defense or protection of his property, person or family; as defined under the Oregon Revised Statutes.
2. At any place duly licensed or designated or commonly used for target practice.
C. Violation of this section is a Class A infraction with a maximum forfeiture of one thousand dollars.
(Ord. No. 178, § 4, 6-14-2007)
TROUTDALE, OREGON – Air Gun Laws and Hunting Regulations
Chapter 9.48 WEAPONS Troutdale, Oregon Code of Ordinances
9.48.020 Discharge of weapons—Prohibited.
A. No person other than an authorized peace officer shall fire or discharge a gun or other weapon, including spring or air-actuated pellet guns, air guns or BB guns, or weapon which propels a projectile by use of gunpowder or other explosive, jet or rocket propulsion within the city.
B. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prohibit the firing or discharging of a weapon by any person in the lawful defense of the person or the person’s family.
(Ord. 754 § 13 Att. M (part), 2004: Ord. 364-O, 1982; Ord. 352-O § 2 (7.60.165), 1981)
9.48.030 Violation—Penalty.
A violation of this chapter is a Class A misdemeanor as defined by state law.
(Ord. 754 § 13 Att. M (part), 2004: Ord. 352-O § 2 (7.60.170), 1981)
Chapter 9.44 AIRGUNS* Troutdale, Oregon Code of Ordinances
9.44.010 Air gun defined.
The term “air gun” as used in this chapter, means any small gun or rifle capable of discharging a leaden or metallic bullet, or any pellet capable of injuring persons or property, by means of a spring or of air pressure.
(Ord. 754 § 12 Att. L (part), 2004)
9.44.020 Possession or discharge by minors unlawful.
It is unlawful for any minor in the city to have in his possession, carry, discharge any air gun.
(Ord. 754 § 12 Att. L (part), 2004)
9.44.030 Furnishing to minors by persons unlawful.
It is unlawful for any person other than a parent or guardian to give, sell or otherwise dispose of any air gun to any minor within the city.
(Ord. 754 § 12 Att. L (part), 2004)
9.44.050 Exceptions to chapter provisions.
Notwithstanding any provisions of this chapter to the contrary, it shall be lawful for a minor to carry and discharge an air-gun, provided that:
A. The air-gun is owned by a club, team or society organized for the purpose of promoting training and marksmanship in the use of firearms and/or air-guns; and
B. The carrying and discharge of the air-gun takes place at a regularly established properly safeguarded firing range under the control of such club, team or society, under the supervision, guidance and instruction of a responsible adult; and
C. The minor is either a duly enrolled member of such club, team or society or has its written permission to carry and discharge the air-gun at the firing range under the control of such club, team or society.
(Ord. 754 § 12 Att. L (part), 2004)
Chapter 13.20 PARK AND RECREATION AREAS* Troutdale, Oregon Code of Ordinances
13.20.240 Firearms.
No person shall discharge a firearm, air rifle, spring gun, bow and arrow or other weapon in or over any park except for areas specifically designated for that purpose.
(Ord. 747 § 2 Att. 2 (part), 2004)
ORDINANCE LIST AND DISPOSITION TABLE Troutdale, Oregon Code of Ordinances
Air gun regulations (Repealed by 352-O).
WASHINGTON COUNTY, OREGON – Air Gun Laws and Hunting Regulations
No Air-gun ordinances listed.
Disclaimer
These rules and regulations were compiled to the best of my ability. The information on this article should not constitute as legal advice. Always check with your local jurisdiction for the final ruling.