Oregon Public Broadcasting

People carrying guns in Oregon may soon be able to do so a little more privately.  Support is growing in the Legislature for a bill that would prevent information about concealed weapons permits from becoming public.  

The measure got its first public hearing Tuesday. Salem correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

More than 100,000 people hold a concealed handgun license in Oregon.  Backers of this bill say information about who is on the list should be on a need to know basis and they say the public doesn’t need to know.

Gun owner Ted Boatsman of Keizer says allowing the names to be publicized makes a concealed weapons holder like himself an easy target.

Ted Boatsman: “For anybody that wants to get a gun at a cheap price, like free, they just wait until I leave, follow the list, and go into my house and see if they can find it.”

Opponents like the group Ceasefire Oregon say limiting access to the list is a bad idea.  They say it would prevent parents from checking if their kid’s teacher is packing heat.  

The bill has the support of the Oregon Sheriff’s Association.  More than half of the Legislature has signed on as co-sponsors.

Online:

Information about Concealed Handgun Licenses in Oregon

Oregon House Bill 2727