HomeMy WebLinkAboutORDINANCES - 11281995 - 95-59 ORDINANCE NO. 95- 59
(Sale of Firearms )
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors ordains as
follows (omitting the parenthetical footnotes from the official
text from the enacted provisions of the County Ordinance Code. )
SECTION I . Chapter 82-36 is added to the Contra Costa County
Ordinance Code to read as follows :
CHAPTER 82-36 SALE OF FIREARMS
Article 82-36 . 2 General
82-36 . 202 Purpose . This chapter requires and provides
criteria for the consideration and approval of land use permits and
firearms dealer licenses before the sale of firearms will be
permitted in any nonresidential land use zoning district of this
county. The county finds it necessary to establish land use permit
and firearms dealer license requirements and criteria in the
interest of the public health, safety and welfare to regulate ' the
sale of firearms in the unincorporated area . This chapter alone
does not allow or permit sales of firearms , but only applies to
sales of firearms where otherwise allowed or permitted within an
involved applicable nonresidential land use zoning district . This
chapter does not authorize the sale of firearms in any
nonresidential land use district where they are not otherwise
allowed or permitted by the applicable involved zoning district' s
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regulations . (Ord . 95- 59 _ § 1 . )
8.2-36 . 204 Non Conforming Use Upon the effective date
(pprpmher 2s , 1995 ) of this chapter, any person who claims or
believes that he or she has established a legal non-conforming use
to conduct firearms sales, including sales of ammunition, shall,
within ninety days of the effective date of this chapter, provide
written evidence describing the extent and scope of such use to the
Director of the Growth Management and Economic Development
Department ( "GMEDA" ). and obtain a firearms dealer license as
provided in article 82-36 . 8 . To the extent such legal non-
conforming use has been established in accordance with this section
and continued after the effective date of this chapter, all
applicable state and federal permits and licenses must be obtained
and maintained in full force and effect and the use may not be
increased, enlarged or expanded without a land use permit as
provided in this chapter. (Ord . 95- 59 § 1 . )
82-36 . 206 . Firearm. "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 explosion
or other means of combustion . (Ord. 95- 59 § 1 . )
82-36. 208 . Ammunition. The term "ammunition, " as used in
this chapter, shall include any ammunition for use in any pistol or
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revolver from which is expelled a projectile by the force of
explosion or other form of combustion. (Ord. 95-59 1 . )
82-36 . 210 . Firearm Dealer. The term firearms dealer, as used
in this chapter, shall mean any person who is engaged in the retail
sale of firearms and/or ammunition. (Ord. 95-59 1 . )
Article 82-36 . 4 Applications .
82-36 . 402 Application Contents . In addition to the
applicable requirements of chapters 2.6-2 and 82-6 and the involved
nonresidential zoning district, an application for a land use
permit to sell firearms , including ammunition, shall contain the
following information:
( 1 ) A description of where the proposed firearm sales is to be
located on the subject property, including a description of the
building or structure within which the sale of firearms is to take
place;
( 2 ) The true name and complete address of each owner and
tenant of the building or structure within which the sale of
firearms is to take place;
( 3 ) A description of all the firearms , including ammunition,
proposed to be sold; and
( 4 ) A description of the security measures planned at the
premises to provide for the protection of the premises and the
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goods to be sold thereon;
( 5 ) The identification of any existing firearm dealer sales
sites located within 500 feet of the applicant' s proposed sales
site. (Ord . 95-59 § l . )
Article 82-36 . 6 Land Use Permits
82-36 . 602 Requirement No sale of firearms , including
ammunition, shall be allowed unless and until a land use permit is
first obtained pursuant to this chapter and maintained in full
force and effect . (Ord. 95 - 59 § 1 . )
82-36 . 604 Additional Findings . In addition to the findings
established in article 26-2 . 20, and section 82-6 . 002 , no land use
permit to allow the sale of firearms , including ammunition, shall
be issued unless the following findings are made:
( 1 ) The district in which the firearm sales is to take place
is not a residentially zoned area; and the proposed site is not
located within 500 feet of a residentially zoned area;
( 2 ) The firearm sales will not take place in a location which
is within 500 feet of a school , daycare, park, establishments that
have on-site or off-site alcohol sales, places of worship or an
existing firearm dealer' s sales site;
( 3 ) The applicant has demonstrated that the location in which
the firearm sales are to take place will have adequate safe
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storage, security and a lighting system. (Ord. 95 - 59 1 . )
82-36 . 606 Compliance . In order for a land use permit issued
under the provisions of this chapter to become effective and remain
operable and in full force, the applicant at all times shall :
( 1 ) Within 30 days of obtaining a land use permit and prior to
any sales , first obtain a local firearms dealer license from the
Director of Growth Management and Economic Development ( "GMEDA" ) ,
which will not be issued except upon proof of a land use permit
obtained in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. _ Such a
license will be considered for issuance pursuant to guidelines to
be established by GMEDA and in accord with criteria set forth in
article 82-36 . 8 and maintained in full force and effect;
( 2 ) Maintain a record of ammunition purchases as provided in
article 82-36 . 10 .
( 3 ) Comply with all state and federal statutory requirements
for the sale of firearms and ammunition and reporting of firearm
sales (Pen . Code § 12076 ) , including the provisions of California
Penal Code sections 12070 and 12071 , including but not limited to
the statutory requirement that all thefts of firearms be reported
within 48 hours of discovery to the Sheriff (Pen . Code §
12071 (b) ( 13 ) ) , and within thirty days of a written request by
GMEDA, provide proof of such compliance. (Ord. 95 - 59 § 1 . )
82-36 . 608 Granting . Land use permits for the sale of
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firearms as allowed in this chapter and variance permits to modify
the provisions of this article may be granted as provided and
required by this chapter and in accordance with chapters 26-2 and
82-6 . (Ord . 95 - 59 § 1 . )
Article 82-36 . 8 . Firearms Dealer Licenses .
82-36 . 802 Licensing Authority. The Director of Growth
Management and Economic Development Agency ( "GMEDA" ) is designated
as the local licensing agent for purposes of Penal Code section
12071 , relating to firearm sales . As the local licensing agent,
GMEDA will, as he or she deems necessary, administer applicable
provisions relating to firearm sales (Pen . Code §§ 12070 , 12071 )
and establish guidelines for the issuance of local firearms dealer
licenses in accordance with criteria established by Penal Code and
as provided in section 82-36 . 804 The applicant shall pay
compensatory fees and costs for such permit as established by the
Board of Supervisors pursuant to recommendation of GMEDA. (Ord . 95
59
82-36 . 804 Local Firearms Dealer Licenses . In accordance with
the provisions of Penal Code section 12071 , GMEDA, as the local
licensing authority, shall accept applications for and may grant
licenses valid for one year (Pen . Code § 12071 (a ) ( 6 ) ) permitting
the retail sale of firearms and ammunition in the unincorporated
area of the county where otherwise allowed by the involved zoning
district, provided that a written application containing the
following is submitted to and approved by GMEDA:
( 1 ) The name, age, and address of the applicant;
( 2 ) The address of the proposed location for which the license
is required, together with the business name, if any;
( 3 ) Proof of a possessory interest in the property at which
the proposed business will be conducted in the form of ownership,
lease, license or other entitlement to operate at such location and
the written consent of the owner of record of the real property;
(4 ) Proof of compliance with all federal and state licensing
laws, including but not limited to the provisions of California
Penal Code section 12071 requiring reporting of thefts (Pen. Code §
12071 (b) ( 13 ) ) , and security storage requirements for each firearm
(Pen. Code §§ 12071 (b) ( 14 ) , 15 , (c ) ( 3 ) ) ;
( 5 ) Proof of the issuance of a land use permit at the proposed
location, or in the alternative, proof of compliance with the
provisions of section 82-36 . 204 for the establishment of a legal
non-conforming use;
( 6 ) Information relating to licenses or permits relating to
other weapons sought by the applicant from other jurisdictions ,
including, but not limited to date of application and whether each
application resulted in issuance of a license;
( 7 ) Information relating to every revocation of a license or
permit relating to firearms , including but not limited to date and
circumstances of the revocation;
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( 8 ) Applicant ' s agreement to indemnify, defend, release and
hold harmless the county, its officers , agents , and employees , from
and against all claims , losses costs , damages and liabilities of
any kind, including attorney fees, arising in any manner out of the
applicant' s negligence or intentional or willful .misconduct and
( 9 ) Payment of nonrefundable compensatory fees for
administering this chapter in amounts to be established by
resolution of the Board of Supervisors . (Ord. 95 - 59 § 1 . )
82-36 . 806 . Conditions of Approval . In addition to other
requirements and conditions of this chapter, a firearms dealer
license is subject to the following conditions, the breach of any
of which is sufficient cause for revocation of the license by
GMEDA:
( 1 ) The business shall be carried on only in the building
located at- the street address shown on the license .
( 2 ) Compliance with all requirements of applicable state and
federal law relating to firearm sales, including provisions
relating to manner of delivery of firearms, age and identity
requirements for purchasers , storage of firearms , recording and
reporting of firearms sales transactions , and posting of required
notices on the premises . (Pen. Code §§ 12071 , 12076 )
( 3 ) The licensee shall not sell , lease or otherwise transfer a
firearm without also selling or otherwise providing with each
firearm a trigger lock or similar device that is designed to
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prevent the unintentional discharge of the firearm; and
( 4 ) The licensee shall maintain a record of all ammunition
sales as provided in article 82-36 . 10 ; and
( 5 ) The licensee shall obtain and maintain any necessary
local licenses , including a business license. (Ord. 95 -59 1 . )
82-36 . 808 . Grounds for License Denial . GMEDA may deny the
issuance or renewal of a firearm dealer' s license when one or more
of the following conditions exist:
( 1 ) The applicant is under 21 years of age;
( 2 ) The applicant is not licensed as required by federal ,
state and local law;
( 3 ) The applicant has had a firearms permit or license
previously revoked or denied for good cause within the immediately
preceding two years ;
(4 ) The applicant has made a false or misleading statement of
a material fact or omission of a material fact in the application
for a firearm dealer' s license; or
( 5 ) The operation of the business as proposed would not comply
with federal, state and county ordinances ; including but not
limited to the California Penal Code and applicable building and
fire safety regulations . (Ord . 95 - 59 S 1 . )
82.-36 . 810 . Renewability of Firearms. Dealer license . A
firearms dealer license expires one year after the day of issuance.
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A license may be renewed for additional one year periods upon the
payment of the application fee and licensee' s submission of a new
written application for renewal which includes the information
required by 82-36 . 804 . Upon receipt of the fee and new
application, GMEDA will review the application and render a
decision pursuant to the provisions of this article for initial
license application. Such application for renewal must be received
by GMEDA no later than 45 days before the expiration of the current
license. (Ord . 95 - 59
Article 82-36 . 10 Records of Ammunition Sales .
82-36 . 1002 . Record of Ammunition Sales . No firearm dealer
shall sell or otherwise transfer ownership of any ammunition
without at the time of purchase recording the following information
on a form to be prescribed by GMEDA: the date of the transaction,
the name, address and date of birth of the transferee, the
transferee' s driver' s license or other identification number and
the state in which it was issued, the brand, type and amount of
ammunition transferred and the transferee' s signature . (Ord. 95 -
59 § 1 . )
82-36 . 1004 . Inspection of Records . The records required by
this section shall be maintained on the firearm dealer' s premises
for a period of not less than two ( 2 ) years from the date of the
recorded transfer. Said records shall be subject to inspection at
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any time during normal business hours by GMEDA or his or her
designee . (Ord . 95 - 59 § 1 . )
82-36 . 1006 . Maintenance of Records . No person shall
knowingly make a false entry in, or fail to make a required entry
in, or fail to maintain in the required manner records prepared in
accordance herewith. (Ord. 95 - 59 § 1 . )
Article 82-36 . 12 . Nonassignability and Severability.
82-36 . 1202 . Nonassignability. A firearms dealer license
issued under this chapter is not assignable . An attempt to assign
a firearms dealer license renders the license void. (Ord. 95 -59
§ 1 . )
82-36 . 1204 . Severability. If a part of this chapter is held
to be invalid, the remaining portions of this chapter are not
affected . (Ord . 95 - 59 § 1 . )
SECTION II . EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance becomes effective 30
days after passage, and within 15 days after passage shall be
published once with the names of supervisors , voting for and
against it in the CONTRA COSTA TIMES , a newspaper published in
this County. (Gov. Code §§ 25123 & 25124 . )
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PASSED ON November 28, 1995 , by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Rogers , Smith, DeSaulnier, Torlakson and Bishop
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST: PHIL BATCHELOR, Clerk of
the Board and County Administrator
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By: o
puty Boar Chair
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