Introduce by title only, waive first reading, receive public comment, and continue to the next regularly scheduled meeting an amendment to Section 5-10.06 of the Yolo County Code of Ordinances to address the storage of firearms in unattended vehicles within unincorporated areas of Yolo County. (No general fund impact) (Pinedo/Pogledich/May)

In an effort to ensure that firearms are not used without the owner's permission or stolen, staff brought an ordinance regulating the safe storage of firearms in residences for a first reading to the July 26, 2022 Board of Supervisor's meeting. The ordinance was subsequently adopted at the September 13, 2022 meeting. Members of the Board asked staff to return with options for potentially regulating the storage of firearms within vehicles.  After discussion and outreach, staff prepared the language before the Board today (Attachment A).

State law already governs the storage of handguns in vehicles.  Accordingly, the proposed ordinance is targeted only at non-handgun firearms, including rifles and shotguns. The ordinance requires that any non-handgun firearm stored in an unattended vehicle be in a locked container or tethered to the vehicle.  For vehicles with fewer than four wheels, the non-handgun firearm must be in a locked container that must be otherwise affixed or secured to the unattended vehicle.  In no event could non-handgun firearms be stored in unattended vehicles overnight.

CAO Staff conducted outreach to the Sheriff's Office and Farm Bureau.  The Sheriff's Office expressed concern that there could be a greater likelihood of hunters or cattlemen who would need easier access to long guns in their vehicles and asked that tethering be included as an option, which Staff incorporated into the proposed ordinance.  The Farm Bureau expressed opposition to requirements for firearm storage in vehicles, and planned to provide a written position.  Staff will ensure that any written submissions will be forward to the Board. 

In response to the feedback, staff's proposal contains two changes to allow for additional flexibility, as reflected in Attachment A. First, the staff proposal includes the option to tether or secure the firearm to the vehicle, as suggested by the Sheriff's Office.  Second, the staff proposal limits the definition of an unattended vehicle to not just instances where no adult is in the vehicle, but also where an adult is not within sight of the vehicle.  

Adoption of the ordinance would be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") under the common sense exemption (CEQA Guidelines 15061(b)(3)) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the ordinance would have a significant effect on the environment.

County Administrator's Office performed outreach to the Yolo County Farm Bureau. The County Counsel's Office received feedback from the Sheriff's Office.