Oakland bills would require stricter security for guns in cars

Two Oakland officials want to make it a crime for residents to leave guns or ammunition in their cars without locking them up.

Legislation introduced Thursday by City Councilwoman Rebecca Kaplan and City Attorney Barbara J. Parker would also require Oakland law enforcement officers to lock up city-issued guns in their personal cars, even when they are outside Oakland city limits.

The proposed legislation follows a wave of high-profile crimes in the Bay Area involving guns stolen from cars, including slayings of a muralist in Oakland, a backpacker in Golden Gate Park, a hiker in Marin County and a woman walking on a San Francisco pier.

“Unfortunately the U.S. Congress is suffering from some kind of political psychosis when it comes to guns, refusing to pass common sense reforms such as universal background checks and licensing for all gun purchases,” Parker said in a statement.

Under the legislation, Oakland residents who leave guns unsecured could face six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, as well as potential revocation of their gun permits.