Concealed Handgun Ban in City Buildings

At a glance

Based on uploaded (human-made) captions.

What: document 2026-123, an ordinance carried by Council President Dunphy to end the exception for concealed handgun license holders in City Hall, the Portland Building and the 1900 Building, using the option Oregon gave local governments in SB 243. Carrying in these buildings would be a misdemeanor, with no exception for license holders; employees already may not carry under human resources rules.
Where it stands: first reading on October 21, 2026 with staff presentation, three supportive testifiers and councilor comments; no vote. It moves to second reading (date not stated in the captions).
History: first heard in the Community and Public Safety Committee in April 2026, scheduled five more times and discussed four, tabled on September 15, then discharged to the full council by petition (Councilor Novick, the committee chair, signed it).

Changes three places in city code that allow concealed handgun license holders to carry.
Requires the city administrator to adopt administrative rules listing the covered buildings and how buildings are added or removed, and an enforcement procedure: notice and chance to cure, then exclusion, with police contact only if necessary.
Requires signs at all entrances and exits and a public list of covered buildings on the website.
Security screening stays tied to public meetings; the city already owns two walk-through units and handheld wands, so Manny Guerra expects no new equipment cost, only staffing.

Security and police: Guerra said a "sterile environment" helps responders tell who is a threat; PPB Deputy Chief Hughes said it changes little but would allow a misdemeanor arrest; City Administrator Lee called it a best practice.
Testimony (all supportive): Marty Glickman (Braided River Campaign), Kip Silverman (speaking for himself) and Amy Wexler (Alliance for Safe Oregon).
Councilors: Kanal, Koyama Lane, Green and Avalos said they support it; Kanal said he tabled it in committee only to get a briefing. Councilor Ryan asked about screening costs at the 1900 and Portland buildings; Councilor Morillo asked about off-duty security carrying (not allowed).
Open question: Kanal asked about data privacy governance for the screening technology; Guerra said it collects no data and will follow up.

About 36 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).

Meeting	Minutes
2026-10-21 - Council	36

2026-10-21 - Council - First reading: presentation by Evan Hofer, security and police remarks, three supportive testifiers, councilor discussion; no vote, advances to second reading.
2026-10-28 - Council - Ordinance 192245 passed as amended 12-0.