Oregon enacts bill requiring background checks for almost all gun purchases

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) on Monday signed a bill broadening the state's gun control laws to require background checks for private firearm sales conducted online and in person.

State law already required background checks for sales at weapons stores and gun shows, meaning The Oregon Firearms Safety Act will extend that requirement to virtually all other gun sales. The legislation includes some exceptions for, among other things, gun sharing within families and loaning firearms for hunting.

"The bill provides a common-sense approach to accomplishing that goal without interfering with the lawful right of citizens to bear arms," Brown said.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up

Despite a public outcry in the wake of the Sandy Hook school shooting, Congress failed to enact stringent new gun laws, and only a few states toughened their firearm regulations.