8. Final Steps

Each County has a process to apply for a concealed handgun license. The process usually includes completing a CHL course, an application, an appointment, and a background check.

If you are interested in applying for a Concealed Handgun through Multnomah County, the process is listed below.

How to apply for a CHL at the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office

The following requirements must be met to apply for a Concealed Handgun License in Multnomah County.

Residency: You must be a resident of Multnomah County or Washington State or own real property in Multnomah County or Washington State to be eligible for an Oregon Concealed Handgun License issued by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.

Citizenship:

  • You must be a citizen of the United States. The only exception to this is if you are a legal resident alien, have continuously lived in the US a minimum of six months and have proof in writing, and/or you have declared to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services your intention to become a citizen.
  • You must show the accepted form of proof of your declaration from Immigration Services at the time of application.

Age: You must be 21 years of age prior to making an application for a concealed handgun license.

You cannot have any outstanding warrants for your arrest.

You must be a resident of county for which you are applying or;

  • Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office issues CHLs to residents of the State of Washington if you can present a compelling business interest or other legitimate demonstrated need.

You must be free of any form of pretrial release.

You must demonstrate competence with a handgun by any one of the following:

  • Completion of any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the State Department of Fish and Wildlife or a similar agency of another state if handgun safety was a component of the course;
  • Completion of any National Rifle Association firearms safety or training course if handgun safety was a component of the course;
  • Completion of any firearms safety or training course or class available to the general public offered by law enforcement, community college, or private or public institution or organization or firearms training school utilizing instructors certified by the National Rifle Association or a law enforcement agency if handgun safety was a component of the course;
  • Completion of any law enforcement firearms safety or training course or class offered for security guards, investigators, reserve law enforcement officers or any other law enforcement officers if handgun safety was a component of the course;
  • Present evidence of equivalent experience with a handgun through participation in organized shooting competition or military service;
  • Is licensed or has been licensed to carry a firearm in this state, unless the license has been revoked; or
  • Completion of any firearms training or safety course or class conducted by a firearms instructor certified by a law enforcement agency or the National Rifle Association if handgun safety was a component of the course;

You cannot have been convicted of a felony or found guilty, except for insanity under ORS 161.295 (Effect of qualifying mental disorder), of a felony;

You cannot have been convicted of a misdemeanor or found guilty, except for insanity under ORS 161.295 (Effect of qualifying mental disorder), of a misdemeanor within the four years prior to the application, including a misdemeanor conviction for the possession of marijuana as described below.

You cannot have been committed to the Oregon Health Authority under ORS 426.130 (Court determination of mental illness);

You cannot have been found to be a person with mental illness and is subject to an order under ORS 426.130 (Court determination of mental illness) that the person be prohibited from purchasing or possessing a firearm as a result of that mental illness;

You cannot have been discharged from the jurisdiction of the juvenile court for more than four years if, while a minor, the person was found to be within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court for having committed an act that, if committed by an adult, would constitute a felony or a misdemeanor involving violence, as defined in ORS 166.470 (Limitations and conditions for sales of firearms);

You cannot have been convicted of an offense involving controlled substances or participated in a court-supervised drug diversion program, except this disability does not operate to exclude a person if:

  • The person can demonstrate that the person has been convicted only once of a marijuana possession offense that constituted a misdemeanor or violation under the law of the jurisdiction of the offense, and has not completed a drug diversion program for a marijuana possession offense that constituted a misdemeanor or violation under the law of the jurisdiction of the offense;
  • The person can demonstrate that the person has only once completed a drug diversion program for a marijuana possession offense that constituted a misdemeanor or violation under the law of the jurisdiction of the offense, and has not been convicted of a marijuana possession offense that constituted a misdemeanor or violation under the law of the jurisdiction of the offense;

You cannot be a subject to a citation issued under ORS 163.735(Citation) or an order issued under ORS 30.866 (Action for issuance or violation of stalking protective order), 107.700(Short title) to 107.735 (Duties of State Court Administrator) or 163.738 (Effect of citation)

You cannot have received a dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States;

You cannot be required to register as a sex offender in any state; and

You are not presently subject to an order under ORS 426.133 (Assisted outpatient treatment) prohibiting you from purchasing or possessing a firearm.

The application process includes the following steps:

Complete a Concealed Handgun application either online or coming into the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Concealed Handgun licensing office.

  • Links to our online application can be found on our website (www.mcso.us) or you can apply in person at 3083 NE 170th Place, Portland, OR 97230. If you apply in person, we have a kiosk available that accepts credit card payment. If you opt to fill out a paper application in person, you must pay with either a check or exact cash.
  • When you apply online or in person, you will schedule your own fingerprinting and photograph appointments.
  • Payment of $115. If applying online, you can pay with a credit card. If you are applying in person, you must pay with either exact cash or check.
  • Proof of Residence (can be any of the following):
    • Current Driver’s License
    • Previous Year’s Oregon or Washington Tax Return
    • Real Property Ownership in Multnomah County or Washington State
    • Voter’s Registration License
    • Current Rent or Lease Agreement
  • Original handgun safety class certificate or other documentation of competency in handgun safety as outlined in ORS 166.291(1) (a to f).You must satisfy this requirement before your appointment.
  • Driver’s License
  • Second piece of ID (ID does not need to have photo)
    • Credit License
    • Valid Passport
    • Birth Certificate
    • Employee ID License
  • If you were not born in the US, you must provide proof of citizenship which can be:
    • A current US Passport
    • Original certificate of Naturalization
    • A foreign-service document issued at birth or I-797C Notice of Action application showing you have applied for US Citizenship
    • A permanent resident License, work permit or legal resident alien License does NOT meet the requirement for citizenship

On the day of your appointment, you will need to check in at the front desk and the following processes will take place:

  • Identification – If you haven’t already uploaded copies of your identification, you will need to present your two pieces of identification to the Concealed Handgun Unit staff member.
  • Proof of Residence – You must bring your drivers license to your appointment. If you address is not updated with DMV, you will need to provide a different form of residency proof such as:
    • Previous Year’s Oregon or Washington Tax Return
    • Real Property Ownership in Multnomah County or Washington State
    • Voter’s Registration License
    • Current Rent or Lease Agreement
  • If you haven’t already uploaded this at the time of application, you will need to present your proof or residence to the Concealed Handgun Unit staff member.
  • Fingerprinting – We use a digital fingerprint system (not ink). If your hands are dry, please use hand lotion for a day or two prior to your appointment. If we cannot get acceptable prints and they are returned, you will have to come back to be reprinted. If your hand is bandaged, in a cast or brace, or if you have open wounds on your hand, we cannot fingerprint you. You will need to reschedule.
  • Photograph – This photo is what will be printed on your license.
  • If not provided at the time of application, you will be required to provide a signature. This will be printed on your license.

You do not receive your license on the same day as your appointment. After your appointment, the background check begins. The Concealed Handgun Unit reviews your records to determine if any of the following disqualifiers are present:

  • You are on any form of pre-trial release.
  • You have a misdemeanor conviction within the last 4 years.
  • You have ever been convicted of a felony.
  • You have a warrant for your arrest.
  • You provided false information on your application.
  • You present a danger to yourself or others. Please note that the documentation for this can include police reports and doesn’t necessarily have to be convictions.
  • You fail to meet the residency requirements.
  • You fail to meet the conditions of the application.
  • You are a respondent of an Oregon family abuse protection order.
  • You are subject to a juvenile prohibition.
  • You have a drug conviction or drug diversion. A single conviction for a misdemeanor or violation level of possession of marijuana is not a disqualifier.
  • You have a dishonorable discharge from the armed forces.
  • You are required to register as a sex offender.

What happens if you are denied a license?

If the Concealed Handgun Unit concludes their background check and determines that you don’t qualify to be issued a license, you will receive written correspondence by mail explaining the reason.

A person who is denied issuance of a concealed handgun license may petition the circuit court in the petitioner’s county of residence to review the denial. The petition must be filed within 30 days after the receipt of the notice of denial.

Once the Concealed Handgun Unit has completed their background check and determined that you meet all the qualifications, they will issue you, your license by mail. Your license will be a License that contains the following information:

  • Your name
  • Your photograph that is taken during your appointment
  • License number
  • Issue and expiration date. Your license is good for 4 years.
  • Birthdate
  • Height and Weight
  • Eye and Hair Color
  • Your signature
  • Your address

Source: Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office CHL Prep. chlprep.mcso.us/chlprep/