Ballot Measure 114, related to permits for firearms purchase, was approved by a majority of Oregon voters and is currently scheduled to take effect on December 8, 2022. There are still a lot of questions about how the law will be implemented and how Eugene residents will obtain a purchase permit. Here is what we know today:
- Local law enforcement agencies will be responsible for implementing the measure unless there are court challenges or other legal proceedings that result in a stay or other change. As a result, we are working as quickly as we can to develop the capacity and systems necessary to provide service to our community.
- A permit from your local law enforcement agency will be required to purchase a firearm. To apply for a permit, a person will need to pay a fee, provide fingerprints and submit information for a background. Another step will be to complete a firearms training course that meets certain requirements. There are still questions and clarifications regarding these requirements to be worked out at the state level.
- New equipment for fingerprinting, criminal backgrounding, processes, and redeployment of existing staff are needed, and some of this will also take time. We are working as quickly as we can to gather and put these resources into place for you.
- We will not have a permitting process in effect on Dec. 8, but will continue working with agencies around the state to determine the best process for moving forward. Every local police department and sheriff’s office must set up a system to issue these permits. We have been working quickly and in partnership with the Oregon State Police and the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police, as well as Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association to implement a permit system as soon as possible.
- There are many unanswered questions about the measure that will have to be determined by the courts and other state elected officials/agencies. The revenue generated by the permits (limited to $65 for each permit) is not expected to fully fund the required processes. It is possible that to meet the requirements, EPD may need to reduce or shift other public safety resources to cover the costs.
Thank you for your patience while we work to put our systems in place for you and while we also wait for answers to questions that are still pending on the measure. It is our intention to get our Eugene programs going and providing service to you as soon as possible. We will put the word out via news, social media and our website once we have an update.
For a copy of the full ballot measure: https://sos.oregon.gov/admin/Documents/irr/2022/017text.pdf