Amend Code related to prohibitions on possession of firearms within certain City buildings to disallow affirmative defense for persons with concealed handgun licenses (amend Code Sections 3.18.020, 14A.60.010 and 20.12.050)

The City of Portland ordains. Section 1. The Council finds: Oregon lawmakers passed Senate Bill (SB) 243 in June 2025 (effective September 26, 2025), also known as the Community Safety Firearms Act. In its relevant portions, SB 243 amended ORS 166.370(1)(b) and ORS 166.377(3) to revest back into the hands of local governments local control over regulations of firearms in their communities. SB 243 allowed local governments to decide whether to continue the exception for persons who have valid concealed handgun permits to possess firearms in public buildings used for official meetings of that local government. Gun violence poses a safety risk in all spaces. Across the United States, various locations where public officials and the community meet have become targets of or venues for gun violence. Fear of violence and uncertainty of one's safety can contribute to uncertainty that healthy civil discourse can occur in the public venue. Political violence is also on the rise across the United States, constituting a serious risk to the safety of government officials, city employees, and members of the community who facilitate and attend public meetings in these spaces. 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 concealed 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. Public officials, city staff and members of the community who gather in public meeting locations are entitled to all possible protections from gun violence in these spaces. The City is committed to ensuring that attendance and participation at official meetings held in buildings owned or controlled by the City can be as safe and welcoming as possible. Loaded and unloaded firearms are already prohibited in City buildings under several existing Code Sections 3.18.020.B.6, 14A.60.010.C, 14A.60.010D, and 20.12.050. Through the Code amendments shown in the accompanying Exhibits, the City's policy is that the affirmative defense in ORS 166.370(3)(g), for persons with concealed handgun licenses under ORS 166.291 and 166.292, will no longer apply to their possession of firearms in certain buildings used for City official meetings. As required by SB 243, the City will post clearly visible signs at all normal points of entry to the buildings and will post notice of the City's website identifying all buildings subject to this policy. The City Administrator is expected to implement the code amendments. NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs: Amend City Code Section 3.18.020 as shown in Exhibit A. Amend City Code Section 14A.60.010 as shown in Exhibit B Amend City Code Section 20.12.050 as shown in Exhibit C. The City Administrator will:Adopt, by administrative rule making authority, a policy identifying:A definition of "governing body" and "official meeting" for purposes of Code Sections 3.18.020, 14A.60.010, and 20.12.050, consistent with ORS 166.377(3); Buildings owned or controlled by the City that meet the definitions in Subsection D.1.a and are subject to Code Sections 3.18.020, 14A.60.010, and 20.12.050; The criteria and process by which a building may be identified under Subsection D.1.b, provided that no such designation takes effect until the signage and website notice required by Subsection D.2 have been posted; and A standard operating procedure for progressive enforcement, to include notice and opportunity to cure, and ejection or exclusion under Portland City Code Section 3.18.030, prior to referral to law enforcement. Consistent with ORS 166.377(4):Post a clearly visible sign, at all normal points of entry to each building identified under Subsection D.1.b, indicating that the affirmative defense described in ORS 166.370(3)(g) does not apply; and Post a notice on the City's website identifying all buildings identified under Subsection D.1.b.