New bill could allow Oregon cities to create no firearm zones

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — Could a new bill awaiting Senate approval mean stricter gun control on concealed carriers in Oregon? A local official and a gun store owner say it could, but they don’t anticipate it will receive pushback from firearm owners in Jackson County.

The bill ultimately allows cities or counties to adopt an ordinance giving public places, such as schools and other public premises, the ability to limit or prohibit people with a concealed handgun license from carrying firearms on the property. It does clarify that public buildings must display a sign indicating that firearms are restricted or prohibited on that premises.

“I don’t see it being a big issue in our area,” said Eric Gramer, owner of Black Flag Armory in Medford. “If there’s a place that has a sign posted about ‘No Firearm’, as far as I’ve seen people are usually pretty respectful of that. It’s not like it’s this huge issue."

After narrowly passing through the Senate Judiciary Committee with four Democrats voting yes and three Republicans voting no, the measure (SB 554) now awaits approval by the full Senate.