It is the purpose and intent of this chapter that the storage of firearms in residences within the City of Encinitas be regulated for the protection and health of the public and to prevent firearm access by a person who is not the authorized user of a firearm.
(Ord. 2019-20)
For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply in this section:
"Accessory structure"
has the same meaning as "accessory structure, detached" in Encinitas Municipal Code Section 30.04.010.
"Authorized user"
means a person who is not prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm.
"Firearm"
means any device, designed to be used as a weapon or modified to be used as a weapon, from. which a projectile is expelled through a barrel by the force of explosion or other form of combustion.
"Locked container"
has the same meaning as in California Penal Code Section 16850.
"Mobilehome"
has the same meaning as in Encinitas Municipal Code Section 30.04.010.
"Residence"
means any structure intended or used for human habitation including, without limitation, houses, townhouses, condominiums, apartments, mobilehomes or other similar dwelling.
"Structure"
has the same meaning as in Encinitas Municipal Code Section 30.04.010.
"Trigger lock"
means a firearm safety device approved by the California Department of Justice Bureau of Firearms in accordance with California Penal Code Section 23635.
(Ord. 2019-20)
It is unlawful for any person to keep a firearm within any residence, including its accessory structures, unless the firearm is stored in a locked container or disabled with a trigger lock.
(Ord. 2019-20)
Section 9.31.030 shall not apply in the following circumstances:
A. 
The firearm is carried on the body of a person who is an authorized user of the firearm; or
B. 
The firearm is in the immediate control of the authorized user so that the person can readily retrieve and use the firearm as if carried on the person's body.
(Ord. 2019-20)
In order to encourage reports to law enforcement agencies of lost or stolen firearms, a person who files a report with a law enforcement agency notifying the agency that a firearm has been lost or stolen shall not be subject to prosecution for violation of this chapter for the firearm that is reported lost or stolen.
(Ord. 2019-20)