Encinitas adopts safe storage law

The Encinitas City Council adopted a safe storage law for owners of firearms at its Sept. 23 meeting.

The law is designed to reduce deaths by suicide, domestic violence and accidental deaths involving firearms. All firearm owners will have to keep their firearms locked in a container or disabled with a trigger lock. Exceptions apply to firearms legally carried by their owners or within the immediate control of authorized users.

“We know that safe storage laws work when it comes to protecting our children,” said San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott, speaking to Encinitas council members shortly before they approved their own local version of the law. “Children have access to guns in great numbers, leading to accidental deaths and suicides.”

Over the summer, San Diego and Solana Beach were the first two cities in the county to pass safe storage laws for gun owners.

In opposition to the law, attorney Greg Garrison said it goes against state law and the constitution, and inhibits residents from protecting themselves in their homes. He said he plans to bring litigation against the city to challenge the law.

Many other supporters, including NeverAgainCA members wearing orange shirts and Del Norte High School junior Stephan Abrams, a leader from the student-led Team Enough, showed their support.

“This is a really important step for us to be taking,” Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear said.