How to Get an FFL in Oregon
Oregon presents a regulatory landscape that is actively evolving — and Oregon FFLs need to stay ahead of it. The state routes all background checks through the Oregon State Police (OSP) Firearms Instant Check System (FICS), requires universal background checks on all transfers including private party sales, and has been at the center of a landmark legal battle over Measure 114, a 2022 ballot initiative that would implement a permit-to-purchase system and magazine restrictions. Despite a more regulated western coast environment, Oregon offers real FFL opportunity — no state sales tax, a strong outdoor and hunting culture east of the Cascades, a large population in the Portland and Salem metro areas, and universal background check laws that drive consistent transfer business to licensed dealers. Here's everything you need to apply, get approved, and operate compliantly in Oregon.
(3-year license)
Background Checks
on Firearms
Developments
Eligibility Requirements
Before submitting your application, confirm that you meet all federal eligibility criteria. Oregon does not require a separate state firearms dealer license, but it does impose meaningful state-level compliance obligations that every FFL must understand before operating.
Oregon passed Measure 114 in November 2022, which would implement a permit-to-purchase system and ban magazines over 10 rounds. The measure has been subject to ongoing court challenges and injunctions — its provisions have not been uniformly in effect since passage. As of early 2026, the legal status of specific Measure 114 provisions remains subject to court proceedings. Oregon FFLs must monitor current court rulings and consult with legal counsel to understand exactly which provisions are currently enforceable. This guide reflects the general regulatory framework as of February 2026 but cannot substitute for current legal advice on Measure 114's status.
Federal Requirements (All States)
- At least 21 years old
- U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
- Not under indictment or convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
- Not a fugitive from justice
- Not an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance
- Not adjudicated as mentally defective or committed to a mental institution
- Not dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces
- Not subject to a court order restraining you from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child
- Not convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence
- Have premises for conducting business (can be home-based in qualifying areas)
- Not prohibited from possessing firearms under federal, state, or local law
Oregon-Specific Eligibility Notes
- Oregon does not require a separate state firearms dealer license — your federal FFL is sufficient to operate
- Oregon has no state sales tax — no sales tax registration or collection is required on firearm sales
- You will need an Oregon Business Registry number from the Oregon Secretary of State if forming an LLC or corporation
- Many Oregon cities and counties require a local business license — verify with your municipality
- Zoning compliance is required, particularly for home-based operations in metro areas
- Oregon has a statewide income tax (no sales tax substitute) — consult an Oregon CPA for business tax planning
FFL Types & Cost Breakdown
The type of FFL you apply for depends on your intended business. Most Oregon gun stores apply for a Type 01. Oregon's evolving legal landscape — particularly around magazine capacity and permit-to-purchase requirements — should inform your inventory planning before you apply.
| Type | Description | Initial Fee (3 Yr) | Renewal Fee (3 Yr) | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Dealer in Firearms | $200 | $90 | Gun stores, home-based dealers |
| 02 | Pawnbroker | $200 | $90 | Pawn shops dealing in firearms |
| 03 | Collector of Curios & Relics | $30 | $30 | Personal collectors (not for business) |
| 06 | Manufacturer of Ammunition | $30 | $30 | Ammo reloaders and manufacturers |
| 07 | Manufacturer of Firearms | $150 | $150 | Gun builders, custom shops |
| 08 | Importer of Firearms | $150 | $150 | Firearms importers |
| 09 | Dealer in Destructive Devices | $3,000 | $3,000 | Specialized dealers |
| 10 | Manufacturer of Destructive Devices | $3,000 | $3,000 | Specialized manufacturers |
| 11 | Importer of Destructive Devices | $3,000 | $3,000 | Specialized importers |
Oregon is NFA-legal — suppressors, short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), and pre-1986 machine guns are all legal with appropriate federal tax stamps. Oregon's large hunting community and outdoor recreation culture create genuine suppressor demand, particularly in eastern Oregon and rural areas. If you plan to deal in NFA items, you'll need a Special Occupational Tax (SOT) in addition to your FFL. Class 3 SOT is $500/year for dealers with gross receipts under $500K. Note that NFA transfers in Oregon are still subject to the OSP FICS background check process.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Prepare Your Business Structure
Choose your business entity and register with the Oregon Secretary of State if forming an LLC or corporation (Oregon LLC fee: $100 online). Obtain an EIN from the IRS. Oregon has no sales tax, so no sales tax registration is required. Register with the Oregon Department of Revenue for Oregon income and withholding tax obligations. Check local city or county business license requirements. Confirm premises zoning compliance.
Choose Your FFL Type & Complete ATF Form 7
Select the FFL type matching your activities and complete ATF Form 7 (5310.12). Provide complete details about your business, all responsible persons, and your premises. Given Oregon's actively changing legal landscape around Measure 114, ensure you understand current state law before finalizing your inventory and business plan. You may also apply through the ATF eApplication portal.
Complete Fingerprint Cards & Photographs
Each responsible person must complete two FBI fingerprint cards (FD-258) and provide two 2×2 passport-style photographs. Fingerprinting services are available in Portland, Salem, Eugene, Medford, Bend, and throughout the state at IdentoGO enrollment centers, UPS Store locations, and many county sheriff's offices.
Submit Application & Fee
Mail the completed Form 7, fingerprint cards, photographs, and your application fee (check or money order payable to ATF) to the ATF Federal Firearms Licensing Center in Atlanta, GA. The correct mailing address is printed on the form instructions.
Notify Your Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO)
Send a copy of your completed ATF Form 7 to your local CLEO — typically your county sheriff or municipal chief of police. Oregon has 36 counties. This is notification only — CLEO approval is not required for your FFL.
Complete the ATF Interview & Inspection
An ATF Industry Operations Inspector (IOI) will schedule a premises visit. They'll verify your identity, inspect storage and security, and confirm your understanding of federal and Oregon-specific firearms laws — including OSP FICS background check procedures, universal background check requirements for private party transfers, A&D bound book requirements, and the current status of Measure 114 provisions. Oregon falls under the ATF Seattle Field Division.
Set Up Your Compliance Systems
Configure your OSP FICS background check workflow, set up your A&D Bound Book, and implement electronic 4473 processing. Monitor the current legal status of Measure 114 provisions — particularly any permit-to-purchase or magazine capacity requirements that may be in effect. Bravo E4473 supports the Oregon OSP FICS workflow and automates the compliance tracking that makes operating in a dynamic regulatory environment manageable.
Timeline & Process Flowchart
Oregon's federal FFL process follows the standard ATF timeline. There is no separate state dealer licensing process, which keeps the overall timeline closer to other Western states.
| Phase | Activity | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Application | Business setup, zoning check, OR Secretary of State registration | 1–2 weeks |
| Application | Complete ATF Form 7, fingerprints, photos, submit | 1–2 weeks |
| ATF Processing | Background checks, application review | 30–45 days |
| ATF Interview | Inspector visit, premises inspection | 1–2 weeks (scheduling) |
| Approval | FFL issued | 1–2 weeks after interview |
| Total | Business setup through FFL in hand | 60–90 days typical |
Oregon-Specific Firearms Laws
Oregon's firearms law environment sits between the permissive western states like Idaho and Nevada and the highly regulated states like California and Washington. It has no assault weapons ban (as of early 2026), NFA-legal status, no sales tax — but a state POC background check system, universal background checks, and the unresolved Measure 114 situation.
Oregon State Police Firearms Instant Check System (OSP FICS)
Oregon is a state point-of-contact (POC) state. All background checks must be routed through the Oregon State Police Firearms Instant Check System (FICS) rather than submitted directly to the FBI NICS. OSP maintains Oregon-specific records not always reflected in the federal NICS database, including state criminal history and mental health adjudications. OSP FICS operates 7 days a week.
- OSP FICS Phone: (503) 378-3070
- OSP may return Approved, Denied, or Delayed responses
- If OSP returns Delayed, the dealer must wait for OSP to complete its review — Oregon does not have a fixed calendar waiting period, but delayed checks must be resolved before transfer unless the 3-business-day federal default period applies
- OSP FICS charges a background check fee — $10 per check — which dealers typically pass through to the buyer
Oregon is one of the few states that charges a fee for each background check — currently $10 per transaction submitted to OSP FICS. This fee is separate from any transfer fee the dealer charges. Most Oregon FFLs pass the OSP fee through to the buyer. Factor this into your pricing and point-of-sale workflow — customers should be informed of the fee before the check is initiated. Bravo E4473 supports documentation of the OSP fee within transaction records.
Oregon Firearms Laws Relevant to FFLs
- Universal Background Checks (ORS 166.435) — Oregon requires background checks for all firearm transfers, including private party sales. Private party transfers must be conducted through a licensed dealer or at a gun show through the OSP directly. This creates consistent transfer business for Oregon FFLs — every private sale in the state must go through the FICS system.
- No state assault weapons ban (as of February 2026 — monitor Measure 114 litigation)
- No state sales tax — Oregon is one of five states with no sales tax. No sales tax collection or remittance is required on firearms, ammunition, or accessories sold in Oregon.
- No state waiting period (beyond Delayed check resolution) — if OSP approves the check, the transfer can proceed immediately
- No state permit to purchase currently in effect (subject to Measure 114 litigation — see below)
- Minimum age — 18 for long guns, 21 for handguns — consistent with federal minimums for FFL sales
- No state concealed carry permit required — Oregon enacted permitless carry effective September 25, 2023 (HB 2005). Persons 21 or older who are not otherwise prohibited may carry a concealed firearm without a permit. Oregon's existing Concealed Handgun License (CHL) program remains available for reciprocity in other states.
- Oregon Concealed Handgun License (CHL) — Issued by county sheriffs. CHL holders are not exempt from the OSP FICS background check when purchasing from an FFL.
- Private party transfers through FFL or gun show — Oregon law requires all private party transfers to go through a licensed dealer (or OSP directly at a gun show). FFLs who offer efficient, competitively priced transfer services benefit directly from this requirement.
- Oregon preemption (ORS 166.170) — Oregon has a strong statewide firearms preemption law. Cities and counties cannot enact firearms ordinances more restrictive than state law. Compliance is consistent statewide — Portland, Salem, Eugene, and rural counties all operate under the same state framework.
- Safe storage — Oregon requires firearms to be stored securely when minors could gain access (ORS 166.470). Dealers should be aware of this as it affects both their inventory storage obligations and customer advisory responsibilities.
Oregon joined the constitutional carry states in September 2023 (HB 2005), making it one of the more recent additions. This is a significant shift in Oregon's regulatory tone — combined with strong preemption, no sales tax, NFA-legal status, and a large hunting and outdoor recreation community, Oregon offers more FFL opportunity than its coastal reputation might suggest. Eastern Oregon in particular — Bend, Medford, Grants Pass, the Rogue Valley, and the high desert communities of Harney, Malheur, and Lake counties — is a strongly firearms-positive market.
Measure 114 — Status & Impact on Oregon FFLs
Measure 114 was passed by Oregon voters in November 2022 with approximately 50.7% of the vote. If fully implemented, it would represent the most significant change to Oregon firearms law in decades. However, its implementation has been extensively litigated.
What Measure 114 Would Do (If Fully Implemented)
- Permit-to-Purchase requirement: Buyers would be required to obtain a permit before purchasing any firearm. The permit process would require a firearms safety course, background check, and approval from local law enforcement — with an unspecified fee. Permits would be valid for 5 years.
- Magazine capacity ban: Would prohibit the manufacture, import, sale, purchase, transfer, or possession of magazines capable of accepting more than 10 rounds.
- FFL impact: The permit-to-purchase requirement would add a pre-sale verification step for every transaction — dealers would need to verify a valid permit before initiating any transfer. Magazine compliance would restrict inventory significantly.
Current Legal Status
Measure 114 has been subject to continuous court challenges since its passage. Multiple courts have issued injunctions blocking all or portions of the measure. As of early 2026, the litigation continues in both state and federal courts, including proceedings related to Second Amendment constitutional challenges following the U.S. Supreme Court's Bruen decision.
The status of Measure 114's specific provisions — the permit-to-purchase requirement and the magazine ban — changes as courts issue rulings and appeals proceed. This guide cannot provide a definitive statement on what is currently in effect. Oregon FFLs must consult with a qualified Oregon firearms attorney and monitor OSP guidance to understand exactly which Measure 114 provisions, if any, are currently enforceable and require dealer compliance. Operating in violation of a provision that has come into effect — or refusing to comply with one that courts have upheld — both carry legal risk.
Planning for Measure 114 Compliance
Regardless of the current legal status, Oregon FFLs should prepare their compliance systems for the possibility that Measure 114 provisions will eventually take full effect. Key preparation steps include:
- Monitor OSP's official Measure 114 guidance page for current implementation status
- Consult with a Oregon firearms attorney to understand current obligations and contingency compliance planning
- If the permit-to-purchase system takes effect, build permit verification into your pre-sale workflow — Bravo E4473 can be configured to track permit numbers as part of the transaction record
- If the magazine ban takes effect, audit your inventory for compliance with any applicable restrictions
- Communicate clearly with customers about the status of permit requirements to avoid confusion at the point of sale
CLEO Notification in Oregon
Federal law requires you to provide a copy of your ATF Form 7 to the Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) in your jurisdiction — typically your county sheriff or municipal chief of police. Oregon has 36 counties. This is notification only — the CLEO cannot approve or deny your FFL.
How to Find Your CLEO
- County Sheriff — Find your county sheriff via the Oregon State Sheriffs' Association
- Municipal Police Chief — If operating within a city with its own police department, notify that department's chief. Portland, Salem, Eugene, Gresham, Hillsboro, Beaverton, and Bend all have their own police departments.
- Oregon has 36 counties — from densely populated Multnomah (Portland), Washington (Beaverton/Hillsboro), and Lane (Eugene) counties to large rural counties like Harney — geographically the largest county in the lower 48 — and Malheur in southeastern Oregon
While CLEO notification is informational and does not require approval, skipping it can delay ATF processing. Send your notification at the same time you mail your ATF Form 7. Keep a copy of your mailing confirmation for your records.
Home-Based FFLs in Oregon
Home-based FFLs are permitted in Oregon. There is no state law prohibiting them, and Oregon's 36 counties include vast rural areas — particularly in central, eastern, and southern Oregon — that are well-suited for home-based operations. The Portland metro area presents more zoning challenges, as it does in most major urban markets.
- Zoning: Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Salem, Eugene, and most Willamette Valley cities have home occupation ordinances that typically restrict customer traffic, commercial signage, and retail activity in residential zones. Central and eastern Oregon cities (Bend, Medford, Grants Pass, Klamath Falls) tend to be more permissive, and unincorporated areas of most Oregon counties have minimal restrictions. Always verify with your local planning department before applying.
- Storage & Security: The ATF inspector will verify secure firearm storage. Oregon's safe storage law (ORS 166.470) also requires secure storage when minors could access the firearm. Oregon's variable climate — wet winters in the west, dry extremes in the east — should factor into your storage solution selection.
- No sales tax: Oregon's lack of a sales tax eliminates an entire compliance layer for home-based dealers. No sales tax registration, no collection, no remittance — a genuine administrative simplification compared to nearly every other state.
- OSP FICS fee: Home-based dealers conducting transfers must submit checks through OSP FICS and typically pass the $10 fee to the buyer.
- Insurance: Standard homeowner's insurance will not cover commercial firearms inventory or business liability. A dedicated commercial firearms dealer policy is required before taking any inventory.
- HOA Restrictions: Planned communities in the Portland suburbs (Washington County, Clackamas County) and Bend's resort communities may restrict home-based commercial activity. Review your CC&Rs carefully.
Oregon's universal background check requirement means every private party firearm sale in the state must go through a licensed dealer. Oregon home-based FFLs who offer convenient, fairly priced transfer services — particularly in growing communities like Bend, Redmond, Sisters, the Rogue Valley, and rural eastern Oregon — can build a steady transfer income stream with minimal inventory investment. With no sales tax to administer and OSP FICS providing a straightforward check process, the operational overhead for a transfer-focused Oregon FFL is lower than in most regulated states.
4473 & Background Check Requirements in Oregon
Every firearm transfer from an Oregon FFL requires a completed ATF Form 4473 and an Oregon State Police FICS background check. Oregon's compliance workflow is more involved than a direct-NICS state but more streamlined than states with mandatory waiting periods or buyer permit requirements — pending the final resolution of Measure 114.
Official Resources & Links
Frequently Asked Questions
See How Bravo E4473 Works for Oregon FFLs
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This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Oregon firearms law is currently in flux due to ongoing Measure 114 litigation. Always verify current requirements with the ATF, Oregon State Police, and a qualified Oregon firearms attorney before applying for any license or conducting any transfers.