Firearms Sales Oversight Ordinance Introduced by SMC Supervisors

Today, San Mateo County Supervisors Dave Pine and Don Horsley introduced an ordinance to regulate the sale of firearms in the unincorporated areas of the County.

“This new ordinance provides for greater oversight of firearms sales and will improve public safety,” said Supervisor Pine. “In addition, the County ordinance provides a model for cities and towns across San Mateo County to consider and adopt to reduce the threat of gun violence in our communities.”

Under current law, firearms dealers are licensed by the State of California but with minimal requirements. The new ordinance will require firearms dealers to acquire a locally issued license, maintain liability insurance, and implement basic in-store security measures. The ordinance will prohibit firearms dealers from operating in or near residential neighborhoods, places of worship, and schools and other places where children frequent.

“Gun safety is an essential element of gun ownership. This new ordinance builds upon the State of California’s sound rules and regulations for the safe sale of guns and ammunition by including common-sense buffer zones related to locations near neighborhoods, schools, places of worship and daycare facilities,” said Supervisor Horsley. “The ordinance also includes licensing requirements that did not exist in the unincorporated area, with strong security measures to protect both the public and the gun store itself. It’s appropriate to introduce this on the same day we honor National Gun Violence Awareness Day.”

The proposed ordinance dovetails with the adoption of a proclamation by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors declaring June 5, 2020 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Recognized annually on the first Friday in June, National Gun Violence Awareness Day was inspired by friends of Hadiya Pendleton, who was tragically shot and killed in Chicago at the age of 15 in 2013. Orange is the color that her friends wore in her honor, and since then orange has been the defining color of the gun violence prevention movement. The day is marked by the wearing of orange in solidarity with the broad-based effort to end gun violence.

“Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence applauds San Mateo County in taking this important step to reasonably and effectively regulate gun dealers in its jurisdiction,” said Allison Anderman, Senior Counsel, Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. “The County has long regulated other businesses that pose potential health and safety risks. Now sellers of firearms--uniquely lethal weapons-- will be subject to standards to help ensure that they are operating safely and legally."

Additional information on the importance of regulating gun dealers can be found at the Giffords Law Center website.

In the U.S., 100 Americans are killed by gun violence every day and on average there are nearly 13,000 gun homicides every year. Firearms are the second leading cause of death for American children and teens and access to a gun increases the risk of death by suicide by 300 percent.

In recent years, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors has taken a number of actions to promote gun safety including adopting an ordinance requiring the safe storage of firearms in homes and supporting highly successful gun buy back events.

“By proclaiming June 5th Gun Violence Awareness Day and wearing orange for the day, San Mateo County joins other communities around the country in raising our voices against gun violence,” said Pine.