Chapter 9.80
TRIGGER LOCK REQUIREMENT

Sections:

9.80.010    Findings.

9.80.011    Definitions.

9.80.012    Requirement to sell or provide trigger locks or similar devices.

9.80.013    Exemption.

9.80.014    Posted notice.

9.80.015    Penalty.

9.80.010 Findings.

The City Council of the City of Livermore finds that:

A. Violence is an increasing threat to our society and residents; and

B. Many firearms which are initially purchased legally are later obtained and used by unauthorized persons; and

C. Tragic consequences have resulted when children gain access to guns which are stored at their homes without safety devices; and

D. Trigger locks and other safety devices can prevent tragic accidents as well as the unlawful use of firearms. (Ord. 2065 § 1(A), 2018; Ord. 1493 § 1, 1996)

9.80.011 Definitions.

The following words and phrases, whenever used in this chapter, shall be construed as defined in this section:

A. “Firearm” means any device, designed to be used as a weapon or modified to be used as a weapon, from which is expelled through a barrel a projectile by the force of an explosion or other form of combustion.

B. “Firearms dealer” means a person engaged in the business of selling, transferring, or leasing, or advertising for sale, transfer, or lease, or offering or exposing for sale, transfer, or lease, any firearm.

C. “Person” means natural person, association, partnership, firm, or corporation.

D. “Trigger lock” means a mechanical locking device which blocks or impairs the action of the trigger, rendering the firearm inoperable until removed. (Ord. 1493 § 1, 1996)

9.80.012 Requirement to sell or provide trigger locks or similar devices.

Firearms dealers doing business within the City of Livermore shall not sell, lease, or otherwise transfer any firearm without also selling or providing a nonreturnable trigger lock, or similar safety device, to prevent the unintentional discharge of the firearm. (Ord. 2065 § 1(A), 2018; Ord. 1493 § 1, 1996)

9.80.013 Exemption.

Persons providing firearms for temporary use only within a designated firing range, shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter, so long as such firearms are not permitted to be removed from the firing range premises and the period of use does not exceed eight hours. (Ord. 1493 § 1, 1996)

9.80.014 Posted notice.

Firearms dealers operating within the City of Livermore shall conspicuously post the following notice at their place of business in the area in which the firearms are sold, leased or transferred. The letters on the notice must be legible, at least one inch in height, and shall read:

A TRIGGER LOCK OR OTHER SAFETY DEVICE MUST BE SOLD OR PROVIDED WITH EACH FIREARM. THESE DEVICES PREVENT THE UNINTENTIONAL DISCHARGE AND USE OF YOUR FIREARM.
LIVERMORE MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 9, ARTICLE VIII, CHAPTER 9.80

(Ord. 2065 § 1(A), 2018; Ord. 1493 § 1, 1996)

9.80.015 Penalty.

Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person convicted of a misdemeanor under the provisions of this chapter shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each such person shall be guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which any violation of any provision of this chapter is committed, continued or permitted by such person and shall be punishable accordingly. (Ord. 1493 § 1, 1996)