San Francisco Local Ordinances

The City and County of San Francisco has enacted local firearms ordinances that exceed state requirements in several areas. California law leaves room for some local firearms regulation, but the Legislature has occupied the field of registration or licensing of commercially manufactured firearms (Government Code Section 53071), and state law bars local restrictions on handgun possession in a home, business, or private property. ^[1]

Mandatory Safe Storage (Police Code Article 45)

San Francisco Police Code Section 4512 prohibits keeping any firearm in a residence unless it is stored in a locked container or disabled with a trigger lock. It does not apply to a firearm carried on the person in accordance with applicable laws or under the control of a peace officer. A 2016 amendment extended the requirement from handguns to all firearms. The Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of a preliminary injunction against the earlier handgun requirement in Jackson v. City and County of San Francisco ^[2] (2014), predating the Bruen decision.

State law update: Effective January 1, 2026, California's SB 53 ^[3] (Penal Code Section 25145) now requires a person to securely store any firearm the person possesses in a residence whenever it is not being carried or readily controlled by that person or another lawful authorized user. The state requirement applies to firearms possessed in residences, except unloaded antique firearms and permanently inoperable firearms. San Francisco's ordinance remains on the books, and Section 25145 states that its provisions are cumulative and do not restrict the application of any other law. Residents must comply with applicable state and local requirements, but the same act or omission may not be punished under more than one provision. See the California Firearms Storage Laws guide for details.

Dealer Restrictions

San Francisco's zoning and business licensing requirements have effectively limited the number of licensed firearms dealers operating within city limits. The city imposes additional requirements on dealers beyond state and federal licensing, including enhanced security measures, sales reporting, and video surveillance of all transactions.

Hollow Point Ammunition Sales Ban

Police Code Section 613.10(g) bars licensed firearms dealers from selling, leasing, or otherwise transferring ammunition that serves no sporting purpose, ammunition designed to expand on impact and project or disperse barbs or other objects to increase damage, which the ordinance says includes hollow point ammunition, and ammunition designed to fragment on impact. The restriction does not apply to conventional hollow-point ammunition with a solid lead core bought for authorized official law enforcement purposes. The Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of a preliminary injunction against this provision in Jackson (2014), and it remains in the current Police Code.

Proposition H (2005)

In 2005, San Francisco voters approved Proposition H, which would have banned handgun possession and the sale of all firearms and ammunition within city limits. The California Court of Appeal struck down the measure in Fiscal v. City and County of San Francisco (2008), holding that it was preempted by state firearms law. This case established important limits on local regulatory authority over firearms in California.

Current Enforcement Focus

San Francisco law enforcement currently prioritizes enforcement of safe storage requirements and compliance with state assault weapon and large-capacity magazine prohibitions. The city also participates in voluntary buyback programs and community violence intervention initiatives.