A.
Findings.
1.
Regulation of the sale, transfer, lease, or offer for sale or lease, of firearms or ammunition is necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare.
2.
Federal regulation of firearms dealers and ammunition sellers currently is inadequate to protect the public safety.
3.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ("ATF") reported in 2007 that it inspects each federal firearms licensee, on average, only once every 17 years.[1]
[1]
Mayors Against Illegal Guns, The Movement of Illegal Guns in America: The Link between Gun Laws and Interstate Gun Trafficking, December 18, 2008, available at www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/downloads/pdf/trace_report_final.pdf
4.
Federal laws are silent regarding many important aspects of the dealer's business, such as its location and security requirements during business hours. This leaves dealers free to operate out of their homes and near schools and other places children frequent.
5.
According to a 1998 ATF random sample of federal firearms licensees nationwide, 56% of all dealers operated out of their homes and 19% were located in businesses that are not usually associated with gun sales, such as funeral homes or auto parts stores.[2]
[2]
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, U.S. Department of the Treasury, Commerce in Firearms in the United States 16 (Feb. 2000), available at www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/downloads/pdf/Commerce_in_Firearms_2000.pdf
7.
The California Court of Appeal in Suter v. City of Lafayette, 57 Cal.App.4th 1109 (1997) held that state law authorizes local governments in California to impose additional licensing requirements on firearms dealers.[4]
[4]
Although the Court in Suter struck down a provision of the city of Lafayette's ordinance imposing additional security requirements on firearms dealers, that part of the opinion has been superseded by the adoption of Cal. Pen. Code § 26890(b).
8.
Federal firearms licensees are required by federal law to comply with all state and local dealer laws as a condition for retaining their federal licenses.[5]
[5]
18 U.S.C. § 923(d)(1)(F).
9.
The International Association of Chiefs of Police recommends that local governments impose their own licensing requirements on firearms dealers because local requirements can respond to specific community concerns, and local review of licensees "would bring additional resources to identify and stop corrupt dealers."[6]
[6]
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), Taking a Stand: Reducing Gun Violence in Our Communities 14 (Sept 2007), available at www.theiacp.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=%2Fs0LiOkJK5Q%3D&tabid=302
10.
A 2009 study found that cities in states that comprehensively regulate retail firearms dealers and cities where these businesses undergo regular compliance inspections have significantly lower levels of gun trafficking than other cities.[7]
[7]
Daniel W. Webster et al., Effects of State-Level Firearms Seller Accountability Policies on Firearms Trafficking, J. Urb. Health (July 2009).
11.
No federal or California law imposes security requirements on firearms dealers during business hours or requires firearms dealers or ammunition sellers to install burglar alarms or surveillance cameras. California law explicitly allows local jurisdictions to impose security requirements on firearms dealers that are stricter or at a higher standard than those imposed by state law.[8]
[8]
Cal. Pen. Code § 26890(b).
13.
No federal or California law requires firearms dealers to obtain liability insurance or prohibits firearms dealers or ammunition sellers from operating in residential neighborhoods or near schools, daycare centers, or parks.
14.
California law requires firearms dealers to report the loss or theft of any firearms within 48 hours of discovery to the local law enforcement agency where the dealer's business premises are located, but does not otherwise require dealers to provide inventory reports to local law enforcement agencies.[10]
[10]
Cal. Pen. Code § 26885(b).
B.
Purpose. By enacting this chapter, the city council is establishing a local program for the license and regulation of the sale, lease or transfer of firearms and ammunition. The provisions of this chapter are not intended to contradict or duplicate any applicable state or federal law.
(Ord. 876 § 1, 2013; Ord. 896 § 1, 2016)