ORS 166.508: Denial of application; revocation; petition to circuit court.

(1) If the application for the permit-to-purchase is denied, the permit agent shall set forth in writing the reasons for the denial. The denial shall be placed in the mail to the applicant by certified mail, restricted delivery, within 30 days after the application was made. If no decision is issued within 30 days, the person may seek review under the procedures in subsection (5) of this section. (2) Notwithstanding ORS 166.505 (1) to (3), and subject to review as provided in subsection (5) of this section, a permit agent may deny a permit-to-purchase if the permit agent has reasonable grounds to believe that the applicant has been or is reasonably likely to be a danger to self or others, or to the community at large, as a result of the applicant’s mental or psychological state or as demonstrated by the applicant’s past pattern of behavior involving unlawful violence or threats of unlawful violence. (3)(a) Any act or condition that would prevent the issuance of a permit-to-purchase is cause for revoking a permit-to-purchase. (b) A permit agent may revoke a permit by serving on the permittee a notice of revocation. The notice must contain the grounds for the revocation and must be served either personally or by certified mail, restricted delivery. The notice and return of service shall be included in the file of the permit holder. The revocation is effective upon the permit holder’s receipt of the notice. (4) Any peace officer or corrections officer may seize a permit-to-purchase and return it to the issuing permit agent if the permit is held by a person who has been arrested or cited for a crime that can or would otherwise disqualify the person from being issued a permit. The issuing permit agent shall hold the permit for 30 days. If the person is not charged with a crime within the 30 days, the permit agent shall return the permit unless the permit agent revokes the permit as provided in subsection (3) of this section. (5) A person denied a permit-to-purchase or whose permit is revoked or not renewed may petition the circuit court in the petitioner’s county of residence to review the denial, nonrenewal or revocation. The petition must be filed within 30 days after the receipt of the notice of the denial or revocation. (6) The judgment affirming or overturning the permit agent’s decision shall be based on whether the petitioner meets the criteria that are used for issuance of a permit-to-purchase and, if the petitioner was denied a permit, whether the permit agent has reasonable grounds for denial under subsection (2) of this section. Whenever the petitioner has been previously sentenced for a crime under ORS 161.610 (Enhanced penalty for use of firearm during commission of felony) or for a crime of violence for which the person could have received a sentence of more than 10 years, the court shall grant relief only if the court finds that relief should be granted in the interest of justice. (7) Notwithstanding the provisions of ORS 9.320 (Necessity for employment of attorney), a party that is not a natural person, the state or any city, county, district or other political subdivision or public corporation in this state, without appearance by attorney, may appear as a party to an action under this section. (8) Petitions filed under this section shall be heard and disposed of within 15 judicial days of filing or as soon as practicable thereafter. (9) Filing fees for actions shall be as for any civil action filed in the court. If the petitioner prevails, the amount of the filing fee shall be paid by the respondent to the petitioner and may be incorporated into the court order. (10) Initial appeals of petitions shall be heard de novo. (11) Any party to a judgment under this section may appeal to the Court of Appeals in the same manner as for any other civil action. (12) If the governmental entity files an appeal under this section and does not prevail, it shall be ordered to pay the attorney fees for the prevailing party. [2023 c.1 §5]