This section covers local and state laws most relevant to those protesting in Portland, OR. See Full Legal Codes section for links to the full definition of each law referenced here.
Firearms cannot be brought into a courthouse or on federal property, even if you have a conceal carry permit.
If you have an Oregon conceal carry permit (CHL): you can open or conceal carry a loaded firearm and loaded magazines in a public space, including in a vehicle and on public streets. You can also open or conceal carry an unloaded firearm.
If you do not have an Oregon conceal carry permit: you cannot have a loaded firearm or loaded magazine in a public space, including in a vehicle and on public streets. You can open carry unloaded firearms and magazines.
You cannot point an empty or loaded gun at another person within range of the firearm unless in self-defense.
You cannot fire a gun in Portland with a few exceptions, including defense of property or another person.
You cannot have armor piercing handgun ammunition.
You do not have to tell a police officer you are carrying a weapon unless they ask.
Oregon law does not restrict the ownership of any type of knife for those who have not been convicted of a felony. It is legal to own a dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knife, Bowie knife, switchblade or other automatic knife, ballistic knife, gravity knife, Balisong, or butterfly knife and Balisong trainer, and a stiletto.
If you have not been convicted of a felony: you can have and open carry a dirk, dagger, or other stabbing knife, Bowie knife, switchblade or other automatic knife, ballistic knife, gravity knife, Balisong, or butterfly knife and Balisong trainer, and a stiletto. The only knife you can conceal carry is a pocketknife.
If you have been convicted of a felony: you may not own a knife with a blade that projects or swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force. You may not open or conceal carry a dirk, dagger, or stiletto.
Pepper spray is legal to buy/carry/use/ship to Oregon
Must be a minimum of 18 years old
Cannot have any convicted felonies on record
For self defense purposes only
Don’t spray cops, EMTs, firefighters, parole officers, etc.
In the state of Oregon, it is perfectly legal to carry pepper spray or an electrical stun gun; however, a person can be charged with a crime for recklessly discharging either of these items against another person.
If you do not have a CHL, you cannot carry any weapons in a park.
If you have a CHL, you can open or conceal carry firearms in a park, but no other weapons.
You cannot bring firearms or knives onto a Portland streetcar. Where you cannot be prohibited from carrying a weapon, it must at least be concealed.
A person may use physical force upon another person in self-defense or in defending a third person, in defending property, in making an arrest or in preventing an escape.
Be on the lookout if an aggressor tells you to talk to their accomplice during a heated interaction: if things escalate between you and the accomplice the aggressor can claim that use of force was justified because they feared for their accomplice’s safety.
If you have not been convicted of a felony or violent misdemeanor: you can legally own and wear body armor.
If you have been convicted of a felony or violent misdemeanor: you cannot legally own or wear body armor.
It is illegal to possess body armor if you are committing a felony or violent misdemeanor while also possessing a deadly weapon.
Shields are not illegal if covered with padding and used as defense items
Having a shield may mean you are more likely to be target by police. Law enforcement has claimed that they are weapons and use this to justify arrest.
If you are arrested while carrying a shield it will likely be confiscated and is unlikely to be recoverable.
Shields are best used in large groups where carriers can abandon them if needed.
A common tactic that can used disable someone with a shield is to grip the shield by the lower lip and then flip it upwards to towards the carrier to topple them backwards.
There are currently no laws that limit or punish the intentional dissemination of someone’s personal information online without the persons consent and with the intention to harass, humiliate or injure that person, but two bills are currently under consideration for the 2021 legislative session. If the bills become law doxing will become a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine of $6,250. If the person posting information has a prior conviction they could be charged with a Class C felony instead.
Criminal mischief covers the damage of property “with the intent to cause substantial inconvenience to the owner or someone else.”
Depending on what is damaged, its value, and how it is damaged, criminal mischief may be a misdemeanor punishable by fine and up to 1 year in prison or a Class C felony punishable by fine and up to 5 years in prison.
Doing more than $750 of damage, use of an explosive, and damaging or interfering with a public utilities or telecommunications are among are among criteria for a felony charge.
You can be charged with arson if you set a fire that damages protected property, such as buildings, endangers another person, or injures another person, firefighter, or law enforcement officer.
Arson charges are felonies with prison sentences of up to 5 or 20 years depending on severity
Reckless burning includes any fire or explosion that damages property. This is a Class A misdemeanor punishable with up to 1 year in prison.
Graffiti is a Class A violation, will get you a fine, and up to 100 hours of community service that will need to be completed within six months. This also goes for possessing a graffiti implement with intent to use it for creating graffiti. Possession will get you a fine and up to 50 hours of community service that needs to be completed within six months.
Portland law defines graffiti as: Any unauthorized markings of paint, ink, chalk, dye or other similar substance which is visible from premises open to the public, and that have been placed upon any real or personal property such as buildings, fences, structures, or the unauthorized etching or scratching of such described surfaces where the markings are visible from premises open to the public, such as public rights of way or other publicly owned property.