PORTLAND, Ore. — The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to prohibit licensed concealed firearms in certain county buildings, marking a significant shift in local gun safety policy.
Ordinance Sponsors and Rationale
The ordinance was brought forward by Commissioners Shannon Singleton and Julia Brim-Edwards, who said the measure is designed to strengthen community safety and foster trust in public spaces.
“The presence of firearms in public buildings, even when carried by individuals with a concealed handgun license, can undermine trust and feelings of safety, as well as increase the risk of accidental discharge, intimidation, or escalation during conflicts,” Singleton said.
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Brim-Edwards, who also co-chairs the Local Public Safety Coordinating Council, noted that county buildings often serve vulnerable community members, including seniors, survivors of violence, and people in crisis.
“Loaded and unloaded firearms are already prohibited in public buildings,” she said. “This will extend the prohibition to licensed concealed firearms. With nearly 37,000 concealed handgun licenses in Multnomah County, this is one additional step to make our County buildings more welcoming and safer.”
Context in State Law
The ordinance follows the passage of Senate Bill 243, also known as the Community Safety Firearms Act, which took effect on September 1, 2025. The state law allows local governments to adopt ordinances banning concealed firearms in certain public buildings. Previously, bans were limited to public schools, universities, and similar facilities.
Chair Jessica Vega Pederson praised the county’s move as a “common-sense” measure enabled by the new state legislation.
“I am really supportive of this action,” Vega Pederson said. “It allows us to take advantage of the new legislation to increase local public safety. As a county, I firmly believe we have too many guns that are causing too much violence. This is a small but important step we can take to create safer spaces in our County.”
Implementation Timeline
The ordinance amends the county’s existing gun safety rules by removing the exception that previously allowed licensed individuals to carry concealed weapons in certain county buildings. However, exemptions remain for:
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Law enforcement officers authorized by the Multnomah County Sheriff
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Government employees required or permitted to carry firearms as part of their duties
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Security guards employed at FDIC-insured financial institutions
To enforce the ban, the county will post signage at building entrances declaring concealed guns prohibited.
Commissioner Meghan Moyer asked how long it would take to put the signage in place. Chief Operating Officer Christopher Neal estimated 45 to 60 days, a timeline that includes internal communications and coordination.
Implementation of the ordinance will not begin until the signs are posted, officials emphasized.
Broader Debate
Supporters of the ordinance pointed to the broader national conversation around gun violence in public buildings. Singleton noted that “gun violence in public buildings is all too familiar in the United States” and emphasized the county’s responsibility to make public spaces accessible and safe for all residents.
Brim-Edwards added that community members should feel secure when engaging with their government: “We want to ensure that people can participate equally when engaging with their County officials.”
Next Steps
Once the signage is installed, individuals found violating the ordinance could be excluded from county buildings. Commissioners framed the measure as a modest but vital part of the county’s larger approach to safety.
“This is focused on community safety,” Singleton said. “It is critical that the County works to establish policies that address community concerns and make our County buildings safer.”
With unanimous approval from the board, the county joins a growing list of local governments in Oregon moving to restrict firearms in civic spaces under the state’s new gun safety framework.
