San Ramon to consider stricter gun storage

SAN RAMON, Calif. - The San Ramon City Council on Tuesday will discuss whether to approve an ordinance mandating the safe storage of firearms within city residences. 

California already has a law mandating gun owners lock up firearms if the owner "reasonably should know" a child can gain access to the firearm. 

The San Ramon ordinance, like many other ordinances in Bay Area cities, eliminates the question of whether a gun owner should have "reasonably known" a child or prohibited person was likely to access the firearm.  

It requires safe storge of the firearm irrespective of whether a child is likely to be present.  

Contra Costa County's unincorporated areas are already subject to a similar ordinance, as are the cities of Antioch, Dublin, Pleasanton, and Walnut Creek. 

Violations would be punishable by a $100 fine per firearm for the first violation and larger fines for repeat violations within a calendar year. If a person violates the ordinance more than three times in any 12 -month period, or if the violation includes elements of reckless endangerment, the city will have the option of charging the violation as a misdemeanor.  

The San Ramon City Council meets at 7 p.m. at the city council chamber at city hall, 7000 Hollinger Canyon Rd., in San Ramon.