Measure 114 Not Effective 4/16/2025!

(potentially)

Measure 114 is potentially set to go into effect on April 16th, 2025. After that date, a permit is required to purchase a firearm in Oregon.

From what I understand, there is no infrastructure to support the issuance of firearm permits by the Oregon State Sheriff’s Office. I am not sure if this would mean no firearms purchases until the permitting process is set up, or if it will be business as usual until the process is set up.

I am certain there are lawyers doing their work to stop it from going into effect until there is a permitting process in place. We can only wait and see what happens at this point.

I just ordered a rifle on 4/4 that is now no longer available for purchase (prohibited in my area). So I can only hope that it arrives at the store and I can get my background check completed before 4/16.

Based on recent developments and legal proceedings, here is information regarding Oregon’s Measure 114:

Oregon Measure 114 Overview

Measure 114, the Reduction of Gun Violence Act, was narrowly approved by Oregon voters in November 2022. Its main provisions include:  

  1. Permit-to-Purchase: Requires individuals to obtain a permit before purchasing or acquiring a firearm. This process involves passing a criminal background check and completing a state-approved firearm safety course.  
  2. Magazine Capacity Limit: Bans the sale, transfer, importation, and manufacture of ammunition magazines capable of holding more than ten rounds. Existing magazines holding more than ten rounds are grandfathered in but generally restricted to use on private property.  
  3. Closing the “Charleston Loophole”: Aims to prevent firearm transfers from proceeding automatically if a background check takes longer than three business days to complete.

Current Legal Status and Effective Date

  • Legal Holds: Measure 114 has faced significant legal challenges since its passage and has not yet gone into effect. A Harney County Circuit Court judge initially blocked the measure, ruling it violated the Oregon Constitution.  
  • Appeals Court Ruling (March 12, 2025): A panel of the Oregon Court of Appeals reversed the lower court’s decision, finding Measure 114 constitutional under state law and lifting the hold.  
  • Appeal Window: Despite the Appeals Court ruling, the law does not take effect immediately. Opponents have a 35-day window (starting from March 12, 2025) to appeal this decision to the Oregon Supreme Court. Attorneys for the plaintiffs have indicated they plan to appeal.  
  • Effective Date Uncertainty: If the Oregon Supreme Court takes up the case, Measure 114 will likely remain on hold until that court issues a final ruling. Therefore, the measure is not currently set to go into effect on April 16, 2025. The actual effective date remains uncertain and depends on the outcome of the state Supreme Court appeal process and potentially separate federal court challenges.
  • Federal Lawsuit: A separate federal lawsuit challenging Measure 114 under the U.S. Constitution is ongoing. While a federal judge initially upheld the measure, that decision is under appeal in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which has paused proceedings pending a related California case.

Implications if Permit System Isn’t Ready

  • Implementation Concerns: Even before the legal holds, there were concerns about the timeline for state agencies, particularly the Oregon State Police (OSP), to establish the complex permit-to-purchase system required by the measure. Initial timelines were considered rushed.
  • Potential Halt on Purchases: If Measure 114 were to become effective before the OSP (or other designated agencies like sheriff’s offices or police departments, as proposed in HB 3075) has a fully operational system to process applications and issue permits, it could create a situation where law-abiding citizens are legally unable to purchase firearms because they cannot obtain the required permit. This issue was raised in early legal challenges against the measure’s original, rapid implementation timeline.
  • Proposed Legislative Changes (HB 3075): House Bill 3075 was introduced in January 2025 to potentially amend Measure 114, including proposals to allow county sheriff’s offices and city police departments, in addition to the OSP, to issue permits. This could potentially help manage the implementation workload if the measure eventually takes effect.  

Resources

In summary, Measure 114 remains on hold pending a likely appeal to the Oregon Supreme Court. Concerns about the readiness of the permit system exist, and if the system is not functional when the law eventually takes effect, it could prevent legal firearm purchases until the system is operational.