Keep firearms in City of San Francisco

[ymchn]

I know SF is not gun friendly. How ever is it legal to store firearms in an apartment within the city limit? Will relocate to SF, so want to make sure I can legally bring my firearms to the city. I am moving from another CA city so all guns are CA compliant.

[Librarian]

I know SF is not gun friendly. How ever is it legal to store firearms in an apartment within the city limit? Will relocate to SF, so want to make sure I can legally bring my firearms to the city. I am moving from another CA city so all guns are CA compliant.

Yes, it's legal to have guns in private residences in SF.

There is this in the Police Code:

SEC. 4512. FIREARMS LOCATED IN ANY RESIDENCE TO BE KEPT IN A LOCKED CONTAINER OR DISABLED WITH A TRIGGER LOCK.
(a) Prohibition. No person shall keep a firearm within any residence unless the firearm is stored in a locked container or disabled with a trigger lock.
(b) Definitions. As used in this Section 4512, the following terms have the following meaning:
"Firearm" means a Firearm as defined in California Penal Code, Section 16520, as amended from time to time.
"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.
"Residence" means any structure intended or used for human habitation, including but not limited to houses, condominiums, rooms, in-law units, motels, hotels, SRO's, time shares, and recreational and other vehicles where human habitation occurs.
"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 Penal Code section 23635.
(c) Exceptions. This Section 4512 shall not apply in the following circumstances:
(1) The firearm is carried on the person of an individual in accordance with all applicable laws.
(2) The firearm is under the control of a person who is a peace officer under Penal Code Section 830 et seq.
(d) Lost or Stolen Firearms. In order to encourage reports to law enforcement agencies of lost or stolen firearms pursuant to Police Code Section 616, 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 Section 4512(a) above.
(e) Penalty. Every violation of this Section 4512 shall constitute a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed six months, or by both.
(f) Severability. If any provision, clause or word of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other provision, clause, word or application of this Section 4512 which can be given effect without the invalid provision, clause or word, and to this end the provisions of this Section are declared to be severable.

That's "ARTICLE 45: FIREARMS AND WEAPONS VIOLENCE PREVENTION ORDINANCE"

How this might be enforced is unclear; absent door-to-door searches, Something At Your Residence would have to garner some attention from police.

[lhecker51]

Yes, it's legal to have guns in private residences in SF.

There is this in the Police Code: That's "ARTICLE 45: FIREARMS AND WEAPONS VIOLENCE PREVENTION ORDINANCE"

How this might be enforced is unclear; absent door-to-door searches, Something At Your Residence would have to garner some attention from police.

Regarding enforcement, no door to door, but if CPS is called to investigate health and welfare conditions and is escorted by a sheriffs deputy in a home and they see a gun not secured, it could then be enforced. An unloaded rifle in a display gun rack for example. I wonder if they would overlook my pre-64 Win Model 70, but enforce the law if they saw my unloaded legal AR-15? If we are away, the guns get locked in the safe, but when at home, they are out and in a locked glass front display case.

I personally would not allow any government official into my home without a warrant and neither would my wife. In my opinion, enforcement will happen during an unrelated incident that brings an official into the home, but even then, would be rare, if at all. I take it that is what you meant in the latter part of your comment, which makes rational sense to me.

[Librarian]

Regarding enforcement, no door to door, but if CPS is called to investigate health and welfare conditions and is escorted by a sheriffs deputy in a home and they see a gun not secured, it could then be enforced. An unloaded rifle in a display gun rack for example. I wonder if they would overlook my pre-64 Win Model 70, but enforce the law if they saw my unloaded legal AR-15? If we are away, the guns get locked in the safe, but when at home, they are out and in a locked glass front display case.

I personally would not allow any government official into my home without a warrant and neither would my wife. In my opinion, enforcement will happen during an unrelated incident that brings an official into the home, but even then, would be rare, if at all. I take it that is what you meant in the latter part of your comment, which makes rational sense to me.

Yes, that's what I meant, but I was a bit elliptical there.

As resident, one can usually manage one's own behavior such that LE involvement might be avoided. But it's a lot harder to manage the behaviors of others, so while you might exercise your right to 'quiet enjoyment', some of those others might be busybodies or boisterous, or both, possibly bringing about Official Intervention.

[ymchn]

Thank you so much everyone!

[spoon01]

Two years ago at about 3AM, I confronted a man trying to break my door down. I held him at gunpoint until the police arrived.

Without going into too much detail, the event ended with cops telling me "nice gun" and we chatted about it a bunch (HK45C, off roster). One of the officers mentioned to me that he thought hollow-points were illegal in the City, and I informed them that prior to bringing them into the City I did research and there was nothing on on the books mentioning hollow-points specifically.

They all shrugged and we finished the conversation about guns. They were helpful and went on their way.

The SFPD did not request to see where my firearms were kept. They also did not ask me if I routinely keep my firearms locked, which I don't. I also fly routinely with firearms in and out of SFO so if you have any questions about that I would be happy to tell you about my experience.

Basically you'll be fine dude. And that's not chocolate pudding on the sidewalks. Welcome to SF!

[Unforgiven]

That’s a lot of unfinished whiskey.

[simonp]

Looks to be scotch and good stuff!


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[Jimi Jah]

A friend lives in the Marina district (a better smelling section of town). He was required by the city to purchase a gun safe and give them proof.

[Librarian]

A friend lives in the Marina district (a better smelling section of town). He was required by the city to purchase a gun safe and give them proof.

That sounds like a longer story - is there more info?

For example, under what circumstance did the City learn your friend even had any guns?

[Harry Ono]

A friend lives in the Marina district (a better smelling section of town). He was required by the city to purchase a gun safe and give them proof.

What the heck! .... they didnt give you automatic Sanctuary !

[lhecker51]

Yes, that's what I meant, but I was a bit elliptical there.

As resident, one can usually manage one's own behavior such that LE involvement might be avoided. But it's a lot harder to manage the behaviors of others, so while you might exercise your right to 'quiet enjoyment', some of those others might be busybodies or boisterous, or both, possibly bringing about Official Intervention.

Agreed. That is the legal hazard as I see it as well. It could be that the state will pick us off, one at a time as we navigate the minefield they have laid before us in hopes we are eventually all ensnared. A dedicated enforcement operation will never happen in my opinion.

[Jimi Jah]

That sounds like a longer story - is there more info?

For example, under what circumstance did the City learn your friend even had any guns?

I'm not sure how but the city did get the knowledge of his rifle purchase. Then the city hall hammer came down. I'm not sure how they operate there but I suspect it's similar to the USSR.

He has a nice $1500 safe (already full) and had to haul it up 3 flights of stairs. The next earthquake ought to send it to the street.

[DrjonesUSA]

Basically you'll be fine dude.

No offense, but one personal anecdote doesn't guarantee others much of anything.

Officers everywhere have extremely wide discretion in how to handle specific situations.

It's great the way things turned out for you, but that doesn't guarantee anyone else will have anywhere near the same experience.

I just don't want anyone to get a false sense of security.