Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 161 § 161.610 — Enhanced penalty for use of firearm during commission of felony; pleading;
Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 161 ·
Oregon Code § 161.610·Enacted ·Last updated March 01, 2026
Statute Text
Enhanced penalty for use of firearm during commission of felony; pleading;
minimum penalties; suspension or reduction of penalty.
(1) As used in this section, firearm
has the meaning given that term in ORS 166.210.
(2) The use or
threatened use of a firearm, whether operable or inoperable, by a defendant
during the commission of a felony may be pleaded in the accusatory instrument
and proved at trial as an element in aggravation of the crime as provided in
this section. When a crime is so pleaded, the aggravated nature of the crime
may be indicated by adding the words with a firearm to the title of the
offense. The unaggravated crime shall be considered a lesser included offense.
(3)
Notwithstanding the provisions of ORS 161.605 or 137.010 (3) and except as
otherwise provided in subsection (6) of this section, if a defendant is
convicted of a felony having as an element the defendants use or threatened
use of a firearm during the commission of the crime, the court shall impose at
least the minimum term of imprisonment as provided in subsection (4) of this
section. Except as provided in ORS 144.122 and 144.126 and subsection (5) of this
section, in no case shall any person punishable under this section become
eligible for work release, parole, temporary leave or terminal leave until the
minimum term of imprisonment is served, less a period of time equivalent to any
reduction of imprisonment granted for good time served or time credits earned
under ORS 421.121, nor shall the execution of the sentence imposed upon such
person be suspended by the court.
(4) The minimum
terms of imprisonment for felonies having as an element the defendants use or
threatened use of a firearm in the commission of the crime shall be as follows:
(a) Except as
provided in subsection (5) of this section, upon the first conviction for such
felony, five years, except that if the firearm is a machine gun, short-barreled
rifle, short-barreled shotgun or is equipped with a firearms silencer, the term
of imprisonment shall be 10 years.
(b) Upon
conviction for such felony committed after punishment pursuant to paragraph (a)
of this subsection or subsection (5) of this section, 10 years, except that if
the firearm is a machine gun, short-barreled rifle, short-barreled shotgun or
is equipped with a firearms silencer, the term of imprisonment shall be 20
years.
(c) Upon
conviction for such felony committed after imprisonment pursuant to paragraph
(b) of this subsection, 30 years.
(5) If it is the
first time that the defendant is subject to punishment under this section,
rather than impose the sentence otherwise required by subsection (4)(a) of this
section, the court may:
(a) For felonies
committed prior to November 1, 1989, suspend the execution of the sentence or
impose a lesser term of imprisonment, when the court expressly finds mitigating
circumstances justifying such lesser sentence and sets forth those circumstances
in its statement on sentencing; or
(b) For felonies
committed on or after November 1, 1989, impose a lesser sentence in accordance
with the rules of the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission.
(6) When a
defendant who is convicted of a felony having as an element the defendants use
or threatened use of a firearm during the commission of the crime is a person
who was waived under ORS 137.707 (5)(b)(A), 419C.349 (1)(b), 419C.352, 419C.364
or 419C.370, the court is not required to impose a minimum term of imprisonment
under this section. [1979 c.779 §2; 1985 c.552 §1; 1989 c.790 §72; 1989 c.839 §18;
1991 c.133 §3; 1993 c.692 §9; 1999 c.951 §3; 2005 c.407 §1; 2009 c.610 §5; 2019
c.634 §7]
Plain English Explanation
This Oregon statute addresses Enhanced penalty for use of firearm during commission of felony; pleading;
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Key Points
01Part of Oregon statutory law
02Referenced as Oregon Code § 161.610
03Subject to legislative amendments
04Consult a licensed attorney for application to specific cases
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