Oregon prohibits any person from intentionally possessing a loaded or unloaded firearm while in or on a public building.¹ “Public building” includes a public or private school, and the grounds adjacent to each such building.²

Oregon’s prohibition on the intentional possession of a loaded or unloaded firearm in or on a public building includes colleges and universities, and the grounds adjacent to each such building.³

Exceptions to the prohibitions include concealed handgun licensees and persons possessing handguns on school property if possessed by a person who is not otherwise prohibited from possessing the firearm and the handgun is unloaded and locked in a motor vehicle.⁴ However, in 2021, Oregon enacted a law allowing a school district and institution of higher education to prohibit firearms carried by people with permits on its property. Specific signage and notice is required.((2021 SB 554.)

In Oregon, a school district shall require expulsion from school for a period of not less than one year of any student who is determined to have:

• Brought a firearm to school, onto school property under the jurisdiction of the school district, or to an activity under the jurisdiction of the school district;

• Possessed, concealed or used a firearm in a school or on school property or at an activity under the jurisdiction of the school district; or

• Brought to or possessed, concealed or used a firearm at an interscholastic activity administered by a voluntary organization approved by the State Board of Education.⁵

The policy shall allow a superintendent to modify the expulsion requirement for a student on a case-by-case basis.⁶ A school district board may consider and propose to a student who is under expulsion or to a student prior to expulsion alternative programs of instruction or instruction combined with counseling for the student that are appropriate and accessible to the student.⁷

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1. Or. Rev. Stat. § 166.370(1).[↩]
2. Or. Rev. Stat. § 166.360(4).[↩]
3. Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 166.370(1), 166.360(4).[↩]
4. Or. Rev. Stat. § 166.370(3)(d), (g).[↩]
5. Or. Rev. Stat. § 339.250(6)(a).[↩]
6. Or. Rev. Stat. § 339.250(6)(c).[↩]
7. Or. Rev. Stat. § 339.250(10).[↩]