New Petaluma Ordinance Requires Residents To Lock Guns

PETALUMA, CA — In an effort to increase safety and eliminate accidental shootings, Petaluma has joined 20-plus other cities in California enacting firearm lock requirements, the Petaluma Police Department announced.

The new Petaluma ordinance was unanimously approved by Petaluma City Council in December and requires safe storage of all firearms in homes and vehicles. Firearms must be stored in a locked container or disabled with a locking device. Additionally, gun owners must report a lost or stolen firearm within two days to the Petaluma Police Department.

The Petaluma Police Department has gun locks available for free as part of the city's partnership with Project Child Safe. Residents can pick one up from the police department, 969 Petaluma Blvd. North, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

Following the council's initial approval in December and a second vote Jan. 9, the law was to become effective 30 days later — in February.

Those found in violation of the new code enforcement ordinance could face an administrative citation.

Petaluma was the first city in Sonoma County to enact such a law. Other Bay Area cities that have enacted similar gun safety ordinances include San Francisco, Berkeley and Morgan Hill.

Read the Petaluma ordinance here: