Oregon Sheriffs Back Concealed Handgun Bill

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Cffice said Friday it stands stand behind a bill that passed in the state Senate on Thursday and the House on Friday, supporting the confidentiality of concealed weapons permit owners in Oregon.

House Bill 4045 is now on its way to Gov. John Kitzhaber.’s desk. The sheriff’s office thinks it will finally answer the question: Is CHL information private or not?

Sheriff’s Capt. Tim Edwards said, “The Oregon State Sheriff’s Association has supported this bill and is in favor of it.”

The sheriff’s office issues concealed handgun licenses, and for the past couple of years has seen the contention between gun supporters and foes surrounding the issue of concealed handgun license (CHL) records being private information.

“I think the Legislature is trying to put a fix to the question,” said Edwards.

Under the current law, private information of every person holding a CHL in Oregon is at risk of having it released to the public. But under the new legislation, concealed handgun license information will be confidential, though the law does allow for specific exemptions, like if the gun is used in a crime.

Overall, supporters say this is major progress.

“They obtain concealed handgun licenses for a variety of reasons, mostly for self-protection,” said Edwards. “Or having to do with protection of their businesses.”

“I don’t think they want that information released to the public by and large. They don’t want others to know about it,” said Edwards.

“So I think this bill … will be confirmation to them that they do have some privacy rights regarding their concealed handgun licenses,” he added.

Some Democrats also wanted to extend Oregon’s ban on guns in schools to include those licensed to carry concealed weapons, but that bill did not pass the Senate in a close 15-14 vote.