Oregon NON resident CCW letter/application process

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kayak-man

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hey guys,

I did a search but didn't find the info I was looking for.

I've been wanting to get my OR CCW for years, but now that my best friend is moving to Portland, it's moved up on the priority list.

I'm pretty sure I have the training requirements satisfied, but I have no clue what the best county to apply through would be, how to go about writing the letter, and if there are any tips that I should be aware of.

I've heard that multinoma county/Portland is now issuing permits to Wa residents for self defense, but is there a better county to apply to? Or, even better are there any classes in the state of Washington that can do the photo/fingerprinting on site, so that I never actually have to drive to Portland

As far as the letter goes, I have heard that some places will veto simply traveling to or and self defense as reasons, because you can still open carry. So would some combination of I will be traveling to Portland, I want it for self defense, and I don't like advertising that I'm armed/don't want to cause any undue alarm towards people who are unfamiliar with open carry be prudent?

If anyone has an example of a letter I could look at that would be great, but any and all advise is appreciated.


Also, can anyone confirm that the free online Maryland state pistol safety class is still accepted? I've also got hunters ed and a couple of Chris Costa classes, so I'm sure something would be acceptable.

Thanks,
Chris
 
kayak-man, I've got my Oregon non-resident CHL. I'll endeavor to get you the information you need when I return home later today. I applied with the Columbia County Sheriff's office, very pro-2A.
 
Columbia county would be ideal because they have walk in times that I could probably make this weekend, my only concern is that I thought I saw something about traveling specifically to Columbia county on there, and I'm not sure I'd meet that requirement since I'm going to be spending most of my time at either Portland or the coast
 
As strange as it sounds, Oregon will generally accept a course completion from the Washington DC metro PD. I know, I know it seems odd. It's actually not a bad online course, mostly fact-based and free, at least it was back in 2011.

Also, I recommend you go online to the sheriff's office you plan to apply with. Requirements do change, I'd hate to give you outdated advice.

The rules are not hard to follow, just check them off as you go. It seems to me the authorities are more inclined to issue a CWP to responsible, law-abiding, level-headed individuals than not. Good luck sir.
 
Thanks Bikemut! I spoke with Columbia county administrative clerk on the phone earlier, and it sounds like I'll be good to go, just need to make the drive down and get my ducks in a row

As strange as it sounds, Oregon will generally accept a course completion from the Washington DC metro PD. I know, I know it seems odd. It's actually not a bad online course, mostly fact-based and free, at least it was back in 2011.

Also, I recommend you go online to the sheriff's office you plan to apply with. Requirements do change, I'd hate to give you outdated advice.

The rules are not hard to follow, just check them off as you go. It seems to me the authorities are more inclined to issue a CWP to responsible, law-abiding, level-headed individuals than not. Good luck sir.
 
I am somewhat interested too. Is there a website or something comparing counties? I understand many have a backlog which effectively means "no." I don't mind going to OR, but it would probably be down south, like Josephine or Jackson.
 
I am somewhat interested too. Is there a website or something comparing counties? I understand many have a backlog which effectively means "no." I don't mind going to OR, but it would probably be down south, like Josephine or Jackson.

Internet search is your friend: http://www.co.josephine.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=1984

Josephine says they no longer accept out of state applications.
 
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Thanks for the input guys!

I ended up making it to the open/walk in hours last Saturday for Columbia county, so hopefully in a few weeks I'll get the card in the mail.
 
Okay, I did the class and it gave me Oregon credit. The instructor said that Klamath would be a good county to go through.
 
Okay, I did the class and it gave me Oregon credit. The instructor said that Klamath would be a good county to go through.

Klamath County looks good. Appears you'll need an appointment if your'e non-resident. I'd give them a call to clarify exactly what you need to show up with. And bring cash to pay for the service. Not trying to be a nanny, just been there, done that.

Oh, and if you change your residential address in the future, OR I think requires you to update your CHL within 30 days. Columbia County charges $15 for the address change.

Funny, WA charged me $10 for an address change, AZ was free :)

http://sheriff.klamathcounty.org/divisions/itemlist/category/17

Also, possession of a concealed handgun without having a valid, current Concealed Handgun License with your current address on your person may result in your Concealed Handgun License being SEIZED and REVOKED. Always carry your CHL with you when in possession of a concealed handgun and make an appointment to have your card updated in the event you move to a new address or change your name.
 
I haven't done my own check/call, but I believe the instructor said that they wanted a certificate of completion that the other states did not need, and the class certification doesn't expire in a year like it does for Utah.
 
I've acquired an out-of-state Oregon CHL a couple of times. Each time from Grant County. THe best counties to acquire them, unless things have changed, would be Columbia County if you live in Washington state or Grant county if you live in Idaho. In the case you live in the Treasure Valley of Idaho, Boise, area you can actually get an Oregon CHL from the Malheur county Sheriff in Ontario, Oregon. They only issue Oregon permits to Treasure Valley residents though. Everything must be done in person. Getting an out-of-state Oregon permit is a pain in the ***. As far as writing a letter, it is really not necessary, but a little note saying you conduct business in Oregon and feel you need a handgun for self-defense is usually a good idea, although probably not required. You can also say it is your 2nd Amendment right and you are a law abiding citizen who spends significant amount of time conducting business and travelling in Oregon. That is about all I did.. The counties who issue these permits are usually pretty Pro-2A. If you want to avoid hassles, I would avoid Multnomah county like the plague.

Avoid Washington county (once again, unless things changed). Their so-called pro-gun sheriff told me that travelling and doing business in Oregon and the 2nd Amendment (where our business was based) was not significant enough reasons for them to issue me a CHL in the state of Oregon. I lived in the Seattle area at the time. Maybe, if you live in Clark county they would be more accepting. Washington county, like Multnomah is very iffy and not so pro-gun as they say.
 
One thing a person needs to keep in mind when stating you "conduct business in Oregon" as a reason why the county should issue a CHL; Oregon collects income tax from anyone who "conducts business" in Oregon. These days conducting business doesn't imply a person is physically in Oregon, it could be over the Internet, but if that's the case, why would a CHL be needed?

In any event, it's not a reasonable expectation to have it both ways. The State wants their cut.
 
One thing a person needs to keep in mind when stating you "conduct business in Oregon" as a reason why the county should issue a CHL; Oregon collects income tax from anyone who "conducts business" in Oregon. These days conducting business doesn't imply a person is physically in Oregon, it could be over the Internet, but if that's the case, why would a CHL be needed?

In any event, it's not a reasonable expectation to have it both ways. The State wants their cut.

The Sheriff department and Revenue department are two separate entities.. Which is why you should say you travel and do business in Oregon.. Even saying you frequently go shopping in Oregon is a viable excuse, since you support the state of Oregon in commerce (but not feasible if you live in Seattle ,for example). Doing business in Oregon doesn't necessarily mean you are liable to pay state income taxes. For example, I was in a small family software business and the business owner was located in Portland, Oregon. I was located in the Seattle area. So, I would travel down time to time to Portland to visit and it would be a trip of a business nature. Many companies , even ones that require you to work remotely will require a certain amount of travel time to the headquarters. This could mean you will be carrying expensive computer equipment, staying at hotels and travelling through unknown areas at night, etc. Fear of being robbed, attacked or harmed in any way in Oregon is a viable reason for a conceal carry permit.

My overall point is that in Oregon any reasoning you make will not be too useful. It mostly depends on whether the particular Sheriff department respects the 2nd Amendment or not. Some Sheriff departments like the additional revenue that out-of-state permit holders give them as well.

After a phone call with the Columbia County Sheriff, they told me I did not need to write any explanation and said they grant out of state permits to every law abiding person who can make the trip down to their office. The same goes for Grant County, which is in the middle of nowhere. However, if anyone wants to take a trip to the magnificent John Day Fossil Bed Monument and is in the mood, stop by the town of John Day and get the Oregon CHL while you are visiting. I've also been told Sheriff in Linn county is granting out-of-state permits, but not sure if the newly elected Sheriff is keeping up with what the previous one did.

One other fact some people may not know is that Oregon is a NO ISSUE state for any state not bordering Oregon. So, Utah residents, e.g. , cannot be granted an out of state Oregon permit.
 
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How recent must training be? I took a class two years ago that meets Oregon requirements, but haven't had the need to apply till now.

I've only read that a class or training is required, but haven't found a time limit. Anyone know? Thanks.
 
It is just a one hour class on gun safety and self-defense laws for an Oregon CHL.. I thought it was only required one time in your life.. They never asked me for anything other than a copy of the certificate, which I used over the years. Worst case scenario , go and attend one of the classes, get the certificate. I think the classes are like $60 or something, not too bad.
 
Doing business in Oregon doesn't necessarily mean you are liable to pay state income taxes.

Good luck with that, lol. Oregon just hasn't become as greedy, yet, for revenue as say, California. Maybe I'm oversensitive on the matter as I've had to fight like heck to convince both California and Colorado that even though I've done work for companies in their states, I've never actually been there to do the work. I prevailed in both cases. And how did these states come to know about me? Through federal form 1099-MISC. How on earth a federal form can be harvested by a state is still a mystery to me.

So, forgive me if I believe agencies within a state may, or may not, share information.

I agree though, if you shop in Oregon, say so, they'll issue the permit. Tell it like it is.
 
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