The state of Oregon allows people to keep firearms arms to defend themselves. This is something that is provided for the state constitution. At the same time, while civilians can keep a weapon the military are mandated to be “kept in strict subordination” to civilians.
The right to bear arms has been upheld by the state Supreme Court in a case where it struck down the state’s prohibition on switchblades in 1984 in the case of the State versus Delgado.
Details on Oregon’s law for possessing and carrying knives and other edged weapons are found at Title 16, Chapter 166 titled Possession and Use Of Weapons.
The sections state that there are no prohibited or forbidden knives in the state, and there are no restrictions on their sale. However, concealing a weapon is prohibited.
“Concealed”, in this case, refers to a knife with a blade that swings or projects into position through a spring or by the use of force, including metal knuckles, slungshot, ice pick, dagger, dirk, or any similar instrument which have been known to inflict damage to persons or property. Anyone caught carrying any of those weapons can be charged with Class B misdemeanor.
The state of Oregon has a well-implemented scheme regarding the possession firearms and other dangerous weapons inside public buildings and court facilities. Weapons have Oregon has a well-developed scheme regarding possession of firearms or dangerous weapons in public buildings or court facilities. Weapons, in this case, means dirks, daggers, ice picks, slingshots, metal knuckles and other similar instruments, including knives that are not pocket knives.
Because there are pocket knives that spring into action through the force of a spring or centrifugal force, it is presumed that some pocket knives are included in the ban.
The state does not go into detail on the dimension of the knives that are prohibited in public buildings.
The laws governing the sale and use of firearms in the state are covered by statewide preemption, meaning that all related laws passed at the city level are superseded by state law. This means that ordinances that come in direct conflict with the state law on weapons and firearms become invalid. However, this statewide preemption is not applicable to knives, and local governments can pass their own laws on the matter.
There is a statewide ban on bringing knives to school, though.
This information that is presented as a brief description of the laws and not as any kind of legal advice. aStraightArrow will not and cannot be a legal service provider. The use of the site does not create any sort of client/lawyer relationship. The knife laws are interpreted differently by prosecuting attorneys, enforcement officers, and judges. aStraightArrow suggests you consult legal counsel for further guidance.