San Francisco took a step forward in protecting families from gun violence this week when Mayor Daniel Lurie announced the Pierce’s Pledge Gun Safety Storage Program. The first-of-its-kind initiative allows residents to voluntarily store firearms at any of the city’s 10 police stations for up to one year at no cost.
The program launched in partnership with Pierce’s Pledge, a nonprofit founded by San Francisco mother Lesley Hu, whose 9-year-old son Pierce was murdered by his father during a family law matter in 2021.
According to the nonprofit Center for Judicial Excellence, on average, a child is murdered roughly every six days in the United States by a parent involved in a custody dispute. Almost half of those deaths involve firearms.
“This gives families a safe and a practical option when circumstances change, and it is no longer safe to keep a gun at home,” said Supervisor Stephen Sherrill at Monday’s press conference. Lurie called it a “simple idea with a powerful goal,” noting that “every week, a child is killed by a parent or stepparent during divorce or custody disputes.”
San Franciscans can now bring firearms to any district police station after calling ahead for step-by-step instructions.
“We’d ask that you not carry the firearm into the station, if at all possible. If you can, please make sure it’s unloaded and locked in a secure container. Or if you drive, leave it in your vehicle. We know what to do from there,” explained San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) Deputy Chief Nicole Jones.
Officers package and transfer weapons to a centralized facility, and gun owners receive a receipt to reclaim their firearm within 12 months or transfer it to a licensed dealer for sale.
SFPD officials said the program is the first of its kind in the nation. The program fills a crucial gap in San Francisco, where no gun stores exist to provide storage services.
“The San Francisco Police Department is proud to partner with Ms. Lesley Hu and Pierce’s Pledge to launch this meaningful program to save lives. Securely stored firearms can prevent tragic incidents,” said Interim SFPD Chief Paul Yep.
For more information about the Pierce’s Pledge Gun Safety Storage Program, residents can contact the SFPD Property Control Division Firearms Unit at 415-553-1377.
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