Oregon is a “Shall Issue” state for all residents of the state of Oregon. Oregon also issues non-resident CCWs to residents of the four states that share its borders, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, and California. Issuance of a non-resident CCW is entirely at the discretion of the County Sheriffs, however, and they are not obligated in any way to issue a CCW to a non-resident if they do not desire to do so.
On 27 Mar 09, I drove up to the Josephine County Sheriffs Office in Grants Pass, Oregon and submitted my application for an Oregon Non-Resident CCW. The staff was very helpful and professional and the entire process was very quick and easy.
Because Oregon is “Shall Issue” for residents and the only issuing authorities are County Sheriffs, the number of permits issued, per capita, by each Sheriff is appreciably higher than in California. This level of experience was reflected in the highly streamlined process and the high level of knowledge exhibited by the staff members who processed my application. As a Non-Resident applying for a CCW, I was certainly in the minority, yet they knew exactly what to do and processed my application as if non-resident permits were normal for them, which may very well be the case, considering their proximity to Northern California.
Sheriff Gil Gilbertson does issue CCWs to CA residents. He does require a letter outlining why you would like an Oregon CCW. However, per one of the staff members I spoke with, if you already have a CA CCW that is normally good enough for him. The letter I submitted with my application contained many of the elements in my own California “Good Cause” documentation, but was presented in a more general manner rather than the specific incidents that are part of my California Good Cause Statement. I also made the letter more personal by addressing it directly to Sheriff Gilbertson and addressing him directly in the letter rather than indirectly as we often do for California Good Cause Statements. I also included a copy of my California CCW as well.
You are required to present in person with your completed application, all required supporting documentation, and the means to pay the required fees. You will be photographed and fingerprinted and you will digitally “Sign” the CCW.
No firearms are required to be presented for inspection or serial number verification during the application process. You are required to bring proof of "Handgun Competence", however. There are many types of documentation they will accept. I used the graduation certificate from my most recent Defensive Pistol Coarse, but the training certificate from any CCW Instructor or NRA approved firearms course should be acceptable.
They have a good website;
http://www.co.josephine.or.us/Sectio...?SectionID=135 that very clearly lays out the requirements. They are also very responsive to phone calls and return voicemails very quickly.
I highly encourage anyone to make this website your first stop in attempting to obtain an Oregon CCW.
I was told by the staff that processed my application that I would receive my Oregon CCW in the mail within 2 weeks. I received it on 6 Apr 09, exactly 10 days after submitting my application.
The Oregon Concealed Handgun License (CHL) is good for 4 years from the date of issuance and has no restrictions on the type, caliber, or number of handguns you may carry.
As with California, every Oregon Sheriff is unique and will have differing opinions, personal biases, and requirements related to issuing a CHL to a non-resident. Fortunately, Sheriff Gil Gilbertson of Josephine County, Oregon does issue non-resident CHLs. His requirements are reasonable and his staff is very professional, knowledgeable, and accommodating. As with the different issuing authorities in California, there is no guarantee you will be issued an Oregon CHL, however, for many of us, it may be worth the effort.