By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
The Portland, Oregon City Council is reportedly considering a proposed ordinance which would ban the carrying of concealed handguns inside public buildings, even for people who have valid concealed carry licenses.
The council’s Community and Public Safety Committee will discuss the proposal at its July 7 meeting.
Contained in the language of the proposal is a paragraph which smacks of woke logic: “In its September 2025 meeting, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners found that the presence of firearms in public buildings, even when carried by individuals with a conceal handgun license, can contribute to a culture of fear, undermine trust and feeling of safety with the community, as well as increase the risk of accidental discharge, intimidation, or escalation during conflicts. Council concurs.”
According to KOIN News, the proposal came from Council President Jamie Dunphy, a Democrat. As noted by KOIN, there is a ban already in place with an “affirmative defense” for anyone licensed to carry.
Legislation passed last year by the State Legislature in Salem allows local governments to change that.
Dunphy told a reporter that the council needs “additional tools at every level” to improve safety and security. The only exceptions would be for police, public employees authorized or required to carry firearms, and active duty military performing official duties. If adopted, the ordinance would apply to Portland City Hall, the Portland Building and 1900 Building, and other facilities on occasion when they are used for public meetings.
Opposition has been reportedly voiced by Councilman Eric Zimmerman, who observed, “I don’t know what we’re trying to solve and, if you are dead set on this, I hope you will at least consider that you are adding a significant legal risk to people who are otherwise following the law — and I think that deserves our pause. And I don’t think that right now that this is going to make any one person or any group of people safer.”
Earlier, Multnomah County enacted such a ban, KOIN reported, which applies to several buildings owned by the county.
Senate Bill 243, which authorized local governments to adopt such bans, is known as the Community Safety Firearms Act. That law was supported by gun prohibition lobbying groups including Everytown for Gun Safety, the Alliance for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action.
