Nystrom
New member
I am twenty years old so I cannot obtain a CHL as of yet, but I do not want to give up my right to protection because of this. I always choose to carry my pistol everywhere I go since we are an open carry state. When I travel through cities that have loaded bans, I always unload the gun but not the mag. I understand Portland has a loaded magazine ban as well but do not believe the city can do this under ORS 166.170 and ORS 166.173. However, my concerns lie with how to properly have my pistol while driving.
My previous understanding was that the pistol needed to be in plain sight since I do not have any locking compartments (I.E. glove box). While I was driving through North Portland last night, I was pulled over due to a broken head light. I immediately told the officer I had an unloaded handgun on my passenger seat. The pistol was visible and was clearly distinguished as unloaded. I voluntarily stepped out of my car and soon three other officers arrived. Upon talking to the officers, they told me very condescendingly that I was wrong. I was told several different versions of the law by each officer. One told me that I was unable to own a pistol at the age of twenty which I knew was erroneous. Another told me that I could not even have bullets in my possession even if they were not in the gun or magazine. A third officer told me that I could not carry the gun in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. I was even told I was committing a felony offense. Officer Klundt (#32398) even told me that he could possibly shoot me if he saw me with a gun on my hip walking down the street; I told him he didn't possess proper trigger control then. They all told me there was no reason to even carry a weapon because only people become victims because they are looking for trouble. As a US Marine, I could not believe the amount of professionalism these officers were lacking. In the end, I did not receive the "felony" charge they were talking of, but I did have my pistol taken from me and put into safe keeping.
I do know I was in violation of the Portland City Code for having a loaded magazine outside of the gun.
However, my question is this, how can I properly carry my firearm in the vehicle?
My previous understanding was that the pistol needed to be in plain sight since I do not have any locking compartments (I.E. glove box). While I was driving through North Portland last night, I was pulled over due to a broken head light. I immediately told the officer I had an unloaded handgun on my passenger seat. The pistol was visible and was clearly distinguished as unloaded. I voluntarily stepped out of my car and soon three other officers arrived. Upon talking to the officers, they told me very condescendingly that I was wrong. I was told several different versions of the law by each officer. One told me that I was unable to own a pistol at the age of twenty which I knew was erroneous. Another told me that I could not even have bullets in my possession even if they were not in the gun or magazine. A third officer told me that I could not carry the gun in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. I was even told I was committing a felony offense. Officer Klundt (#32398) even told me that he could possibly shoot me if he saw me with a gun on my hip walking down the street; I told him he didn't possess proper trigger control then. They all told me there was no reason to even carry a weapon because only people become victims because they are looking for trouble. As a US Marine, I could not believe the amount of professionalism these officers were lacking. In the end, I did not receive the "felony" charge they were talking of, but I did have my pistol taken from me and put into safe keeping.
I do know I was in violation of the Portland City Code for having a loaded magazine outside of the gun.
However, my question is this, how can I properly carry my firearm in the vehicle?
