(a) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following words and phrases shall be defined as follows:
(1) “Close proximity and control” means within close reach of a person so that they can gain control of the weapon before a child or unauthorized person could access the weapon.
(2) “Firearm” means a firearm as defined in California Penal Code Section 16520, as amended from time to time.
(3) “Locked container” means a locked container as defined in California Penal Code Section 16850, as amended from time to time, and is listed on the California Department of Justice Bureau of Firearms roster of approved firearm safety devices.
(4) “Residence” means any structure intended or used for human habitation, including but not limited to houses, apartments, condominiums, rooms, in-law units, accessory dwelling units, motels, hotels, single room occupancy units (SROs), timeshares, mobile homes, and recreational and other vehicles where
human habitation occurs.
(5) “Tethered” means attaching a firearm to a permanent structure in the interior or trunk of a vehicle with a cable lock or similar mechanism in order to ensure that the firearm cannot easily be removed.
(6) “Trigger lock” means a trigger lock that is listed on the California Department of Justice’s roster of approved firearms safety devices and that is identified as appropriate for that firearm by reference to either the manufacturer and model of the firearm or to the physical characteristics of the firearm that match those listed on the roster for use with the device under California Penal Code Section 23635.
(7) “Vehicle” means a vehicle as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 415, as amended from time to time.
(8) “Unattended vehicle” means that a person aged eighteen (18) or over who owns or is authorized to use the vehicle is not present in or within sight of the vehicle.
(b) Safe storage in residences. No person shall keep a firearm in any residence unless the firearm is stored in a locked container or the firearm is equipped with a trigger lock.
(c) Safe storage in vehicles.
(1) No person shall leave a firearm, not including handguns, in an unattended vehicle unless: (a) the firearm is stored in a locked container that is either in the locked trunk of the vehicle or affixed or secured to the interior of the vehicle; or (b) the firearm is tethered to a permanent structure in the interior or trunk of the vehicle with a cable lock or similar mechanism.
i. If not stored in a locked trunk of the vehicle, the locked container or tethered non-handgun firearm must be underneath a seat or covered or otherwise outside of plain view from the outside of the vehicle.
ii. For vehicles with fewer than four (4) wheels, the non-handgun firearm must be stored in a locked container that is affixed or secured to the vehicle.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (c)(1), no person may place, store, or leave a firearm, not including handguns, overnight in an unattended vehicle.
(3) This subsection is not intended to conflict with state law on the storage of handguns in vehicles, as governed by Penal Code Section 25140.
(4) Nothing in this subsection shall apply to on-duty peace officers, police vehicles, federal officers, or military personnel who are acting within the scope of their authority and discharging their official duties.
(d) Exception. The storage requirements in this Section shall not apply when the firearm is carried on the person of an individual not prohibited from the ownership or possession of a firearm or when the firearm is in the close proximity and control of such a person.
(§ 2, Ord. 1552, eff. October 13, 2022; as amended by § 2, Ord. 1556, eff. December 22, 2022)