How Long Does a Gun Background Check Take in Oregon? (2023)

Date	Average Time (in days)	Notes
January 1, 2023	3 days	The average time for a background check to be completed in Oregon was 3 days.
February 1, 2023	4 days	The average time for a background check to be completed in Oregon was 4 days.
March 1, 2023	5 days	The average time for a background check to be completed in Oregon was 5 days.

Overview of Oregon Gun Background Checks

History of Oregon gun background checks

Oregon has had a gun background check law in place since 1990. The law was passed in response to the 1989 Stockton Schoolyard Shooting, in which a 16-year-old boy shot and killed five students and wounded 32 others. The law requires all firearms transfers, including sales, gifts, and loans, to be processed through a licensed dealer. The dealer must conduct a background check on the buyer and refuse to transfer the firearm if the buyer is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Current law on Oregon gun background checks

The Oregon gun background check law is codified in ORS 166.240. The law defines a firearm as “any weapon which is designed to or may be readily converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant.” The law also defines a prohibited person as someone who is:

• Convicted of a felony
• Convicted of a domestic violence crime
• Under indictment for a felony
• A fugitive from justice
• A person who is addicted to a controlled substance
• A person who has been adjudicated mentally defective
• A person who has been dishonorably discharged from the military
• A person who is a fugitive from the United States

The law also provides for a number of exemptions to the background check requirement. These exemptions include:

• Sales of firearms to law enforcement officers
• Sales of firearms to licensed firearms dealers
• Sales of firearms to members of the military
• Sales of firearms to persons who are transporting firearms across state lines
• Sales of firearms to persons who are inheriting firearms

Process of Oregon gun background checks

The process of conducting a gun background check in Oregon is relatively straightforward. When a person purchases a firearm from a licensed dealer, the dealer will ask the buyer to fill out a Form 4473. This form asks for the buyer’s name, address, date of birth, and other identifying information. The dealer will then submit the form to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The NICS is a database of prohibited persons maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The NICS will check the buyer’s information against the database of prohibited persons. If the buyer is not prohibited from possessing a firearm, the NICS will issue a “proceed” response to the dealer. The dealer can then transfer the firearm to the buyer. If the buyer is prohibited from possessing a firearm, the NICS will issue a “deny” response to the dealer. The dealer will then refuse to transfer the firearm to the buyer.

Recent Data on Oregon Gun Background Checks

Average wait time for Oregon gun background checks

The average wait time for a gun background check in Oregon is currently 3 days. However, the wait time can vary depending on the time of year and the volume of background checks being processed. During peak times, the wait time can be as long as 10 days.

Number of Oregon gun background checks denied

In 2020, the Oregon State Police conducted a total of 145,000 gun background checks. Of those checks, 2,200 were denied. This means that the denial rate for gun background checks in Oregon was 1.5%.

Reasons for Oregon gun background checks being denied

There are a number of reasons why a gun background check in Oregon may be denied. These reasons include:

• The buyer is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a felony conviction, a domestic violence conviction, or a mental health issue.
• The buyer is under indictment for a felony.
• The buyer is a fugitive from justice.
• The buyer is a person who is addicted to a controlled substance.
• The buyer has been adjudicated mentally defective.
• The buyer has been dishonorably discharged from the military.
• The buyer is a fugitive from the United States.

Oregon’s gun background check law is an important tool for preventing firearms from falling into the hands of prohibited persons. The law has been effective in reducing the number of gun-related homicides and suicides in the state. However, there is still room for improvement. The law could be strengthened by reducing the number of exemptions and by increasing the penalties for failing to comply with the law.

How Long Are Oregon Gun Background Checks Taking Right Now?

The length of Oregon gun background checks can vary depending on a number of factors, including the type of gun being purchased, the criminal history of the buyer, and the mental health history of the buyer.

In general, Oregon gun background checks take between 30 minutes and 24 hours. However, in some cases, they can take longer. For example, if the buyer has a criminal history or a mental health history, the background check may take longer as the NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) conducts a more thorough investigation.

The following table provides a more detailed breakdown of the average length of Oregon gun background checks for different types of guns:

| Type of Gun | Average Length of Background Check |
|————-|———————————–|
| Handgun | 30 minutes to 2 hours |
| Rifle | 30 minutes to 2 hours |
| Shotgun | 30 minutes to 2 hours |
| Ammunition | 10 minutes to 30 minutes |

It is important to note that these are just averages. The actual length of your background check may vary depending on the specific circumstances of your purchase.

If you are interested in purchasing a gun in Oregon, it is important to be aware of the length of the background check process. This will help you to plan accordingly and avoid any unnecessary delays.

Factors Affecting the Length of Oregon Gun Background Checks

The length of Oregon gun background checks can be affected by a number of factors, including:

• Type of gun being purchased: Handguns typically require a longer background check than rifles or shotguns. This is because handguns are more commonly used in crimes, so the NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) conducts a more thorough investigation.
• Criminal history of the buyer: If the buyer has a criminal history, the background check will take longer. This is because the NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) will need to conduct a more thorough investigation to ensure that the buyer is not prohibited from purchasing a gun.
• Mental health history of the buyer: If the buyer has a mental health history, the background check will take longer. This is because the NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) will need to conduct a more thorough investigation to ensure that the buyer is not a danger to themselves or others.

In addition to these factors, the length of Oregon gun background checks can also be affected by the current workload of the NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System). During peak times, the NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) may be processing a higher volume of background checks, which can lead to longer wait times.

Implications of the Length of Oregon Gun Background Checks

The length of Oregon gun background checks can have a number of implications, including:

• Impact on gun sales: Longer background checks can lead to delays in gun purchases, which can discourage some people from buying guns. This can have a negative impact on the gun industry.
• Impact on gun violence: Some people believe that longer background checks can help to reduce gun violence by preventing people who should not have guns from obtaining them. However, there is no definitive evidence to support this claim.
• Policy implications: The length of Oregon gun background checks is a controversial issue that has been debated for many years. Some people believe that the background check process should be more thorough, while others believe that it should be streamlined. The length of Oregon gun background checks is likely to continue to be a topic of debate for many years to come.

The length of Oregon gun background checks can vary depending on a number of factors, including the type of gun being purchased, the criminal history of the buyer, and the mental health history of the buyer. The length of the background check process can also be affected by the current workload of the NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System).

The length of Oregon gun background checks can have a number of implications, including an impact on gun sales, gun violence, and policy implications. The length of Oregon gun background checks is likely to continue to be a topic of debate for many years to come.

How long does it take to get a gun background check in Oregon?

The average wait time for a gun background check in Oregon is 3-5 business days. However, the specific wait time may vary depending on the time of year and the number of background checks being processed.

What factors can affect the wait time for a gun background check in Oregon?

The following factors can affect the wait time for a gun background check in Oregon:

• The time of year: Background checks are typically processed more quickly during the off-season (i.e., not during hunting season).
• The number of background checks being processed: The wait time for a background check may be longer if there are a large number of background checks being processed at the same time.
• The type of firearm being purchased: Background checks for handguns are typically processed more quickly than background checks for long guns.

What can I do to speed up the process of getting a gun background check in Oregon?

There are a few things you can do to speed up the process of getting a gun background check in Oregon:

• Complete the background check application online. This will allow the Oregon State Police to begin processing your application as soon as you submit it.
• Provide all of the required documentation. The Oregon State Police will need to verify your identity and your eligibility to purchase a firearm. Make sure to provide all of the required documentation when you submit your application.
• Be patient. The Oregon State Police is committed to processing background checks in a timely manner. However, there may be times when the wait time is longer than usual. If you have any questions about the status of your background check, you can contact the Oregon State Police.

What happens if I fail a gun background check in Oregon?

If you fail a gun background check in Oregon, you will not be able to purchase a firearm. There are a number of reasons why you may fail a background check, including:

• You have a criminal record. If you have been convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors, you will not be eligible to purchase a firearm.
• You have a history of domestic violence. If you have been convicted of domestic violence or have a restraining order against you, you will not be eligible to purchase a firearm.
• You are a prohibited person. There are a number of other reasons why you may be prohibited from purchasing a firearm, such as being a fugitive from justice or being addicted to drugs.

If you fail a gun background check in Oregon, you will be notified in writing. You will have the opportunity to appeal the decision. If your appeal is denied, you will not be able to purchase a firearm in Oregon.

the length of time it takes to complete a gun background check in Oregon can vary depending on a number of factors, including the type of firearm being purchased, the seller’s license status, and the current volume of background checks being processed. However, the average wait time for a background check in Oregon is currently around 30 days.

It is important to note that the waiting period for a gun background check is not the same as the waiting period for a gun purchase. The waiting period for a gun purchase is the amount of time that must elapse between the purchase of a firearm and the actual transfer of ownership. In Oregon, the waiting period for a gun purchase is 10 days.

If you are interested in purchasing a firearm in Oregon, it is important to be aware of the length of time it will take to complete the background check and the waiting period for the purchase. By being informed, you can avoid any unnecessary delays and ensure that you are able to purchase your firearm as quickly as possible.