Quick Legal Facts
Statewide Preemption:
No.
Concealed Carry:
Concealment is a factor. The law prohibits the concealed carry of certain knives as described.
Schools:
Knives are prohibited on all schools.
Critical Dimensions:
None noted.
Oregon has a very knife friendly jurisdiction and, consequently, it has become the home to many major knife and tool manufacturers. There are no restrictions on possession, manufacture or sell of any type of knife features, such as blade length. Open carry of any knife is legal, except when carried with the intent to use unlawfully) However, Oregon law does prohibit the concealed carry of certain types of knives, including automatic knives, dirks, and daggers.
The Oregon law regarding possession and carrying of knives and edged weapons may be found at Title 16, Chapter 166 (Possession and Use of Weapons).
Forbidden:
There are no forbidden or prohibited knives in Oregon.
Sale/Transfer:
There are no restrictions on the sale of knives in Oregon.
Concealment/Carrying:
Oregon law prohibits the concealed carry of certain knives including automatic knives, dirks and daggers:
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, any person who carries concealed upon the person any knife having a blade that projects or swings into position by force of a spring or by centrifugal force, any dirk, dagger, ice pick, slungshot, metal knuckles, or any similar instrument by the use of which injury could be inflicted upon the person or property of any other person, commits a Class B misdemeanor. (2) Nothing in· subsection (1) of this section applies to any peace officer … O.R.S. § 166.240
Like most jurisdictions, Oregon prohibits the possession of firearms or dangerous weapons in public buildings or court facilities. ORS 166.370. For purposes of this section, weapon is defined as:
(b) Any dirk, dagger, ice pick, slingshot, metal knuckles or any similar instrument or a knife other than an ordinary pocket knife, the use of which could inflict injury upon a person or property…
O.R.S. 166.360(10)(b) Because the term “ordinary pocketknife” is vague, knife owners are advised to avoid bringing any type of knife into a public building or court facility. Also, a reasonable interpretation of the term ordinary pocket knife excludes a knife with a blade that swings into position by force of a spring or centrifugal force.
Critical Dimensions:
None noted.
Statewide Preemption:
No. Knife owners need to check for possible more restrictive knife laws in cities or counties. However, in City of Portland v. Lodi, 308 Or. 468, 782 P.2d 415 (1989), the Oregon Supreme Court invalidated a City of Portland penal ordinance against carrying a concealed pocketknife with a blade beyond a specified length on grounds that the ordinance was preempted by state law.
Schools:
Knives are prohibited on all schools.