Oregon gun laws receive A-, state ranks 11th in US for strongest firearm restrictions

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A political organization striving to prevent gun violence has given Oregon an A- for its firearm regulations.

The Giffords Law Center, led by former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, annually grades and ranks states based on their new and pre-existing gun laws.

Oregon’s grade has gradually risen from a D+ to an A- from 2014 to 2024. The state is now ranked as the 11th-strongest state for firearm restrictions.

According to the data, there are 14.1 gun deaths for every 100,000 residents. Researchers reported that this rate is about 2% higher than the national average.

Giffords Law Center listed “universal background checks,” “extreme risk protection orders” and “large capacity magazine restrictions” as a few reasons why Oregon earned its ranking. The organization also referred to the recent ban of ghost guns, or firearms that are untraceable because they lack serial numbers.

Additionally, Oregon allocated $10 million toward community violence intervention programs and formed a task force to prevent gun-related suicides just last year.

However, researchers said the state could improve their gun regulations by passing “gun industry accountability legislation” and prohibiting “bump stocks and other rapid-fire devices.” The report suggested a permanent fund for community violence intervention programs and a new office for gun violence prevention as well.

California was ranked at No. 1 on the Gun Law Scorecard. Data show the state has eight gun deaths for every 100,000 residents — a 42% decline from the national average.

Washington was ranked at No. 9, but also received an A-. Researchers said the state has 13.1 gun deaths for every 100,000 residents.

According to the report, Wyoming is the state with the weakest gun laws. West Virginia, Utah, Texas and Tennessee rounded out the bottom five.

“Every year, our Scorecard is a reminder of the inconsistency of America’s gun laws — both demonstrating what is possible, and what happens when state leaders fail to save lives,” Giffords Executive Director Emma Brown said in a statement.