Title
Introduction of Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Adding Provisions to Section 4-32 (Firearms and Weapons) of Article V (Firearms and Explosives) of Chapter IV (Offenses and Public Safety), Requiring Safe Storage of Firearms and Enhancing Enforcement Provisions; and
Introduction of Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Adding Provisions to Section 4-36 (License Requirements for Firearms and Munitions Dealers) of Article V (Firearms and Explosives) of Chapter IV (Offenses and Public Safety), Requiring Firearms Dealers to Provide Video Surveillance and Enhancing Enforcement Provisions. (City Attorney)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In addition to the current laws in the Alameda Municipal Code (AMC) that address firearms safety, the proposed ordinances contain provisions that further bolster safety measurements for the City of Alameda (City) by requiring safe storage of firearms within residences, encouraging prompt reporting of stolen or lost guns, and requiring video surveillance of retail sales and store premises.
BACKGROUND
On November 19, 2019, the City Council directed staff to evaluate various actions regarding firearms safety. In particular, the City Council instructed staff to prioritize evaluation of the following actions: safe storage requirements, surveillance of firearm retail sales, mandatory periodic firearm safety training, and funding for education programs.
Staff's evaluation of firearm safety options takes into consideration Constitutional limits. Cities are authorized to enact gun control ordinances that do not conflict with and are not preempted by federal and state law. While the U.S. Supreme Court held in D.C. v. Heller, 554 U.S. 570 (2008) and McDonald v. City of Chicago, Ill., 561 U.S. 742, 786 (2010) that the Second Amendment protects the right to use firearms for self-defense, courts have since generally upheld the police power of states and municipalit...
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