BigBlock said:
In plain english:
"Concealed firearms are illegal, unless you have a concealed carry permit, or your firearm meets the definition of antique firearm."
Worst case scenario, it's only a class A misdemeanor.
Interesting thing about laws is, you have to not only learn all of 'em, and how they cross-reference each other, but also how the judge is gonna interpret them...
For instance, a muzzle loader might not be a "handgun", by Oregon state law, but it
is a firearm, and a weapon apparently.
Now, given that, I wouldn't wanna run afoul of this little tid-bit, with a judge who's not inclined to have people running around armed:
166.240 Carrying of concealed weapons. (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 as defined in ORS 133.005, whose duty it is to serve process or make arrests. Justice courts have concurrent jurisdiction to try any person charged with violating any of the provisions of subsection (1) of this section. [Amended by 1977 c.454 §1; 1985 c.543 §2; 1989 c.839 §21; 1999 c.1040 §15]
You'll notice "Antique Weapons" aren't exempt here?
They might not get you for carrying a concealed handgun, but they certainly left the door open to get you with a concealed weapon.
Also, I'd like to see this:
"...dangerous or deadly weapon as defined in
ORS 161.015"
Where is ORS 161.015? The section you're using as a reference starts at 166. I'm sure parts of 161 have a pretty strong bearing on what a judge might decide concerning toting a loaded BP pistol around... Believe me, they can be downright bastardly about it.
( Oh, and for what it's worth, I've spent a little time in court, and know how this stuff can go.
)
J.C.