Beaumont Municipal Code Ch. 9.32 Possession of Firearms on City Property Prohibited

The following definitions shall apply to the terms used in this Chapter:

A. "City property" shall mean real property, including any buildings thereon, owned or leased by the City, and in the City's possession, or in the possession of a public or private entity under contract with the City to perform a public purpose including, but not limited to, real property owned or leased by the City, but does not include any "local public building" as defined in Penal Code, Section 171b(c), where the state regulates possession of firearms pursuant to Penal Code Section 171b.

B. "Firearm" shall mean any gun, pistol, revolver, rifle or any device, designed or modified to be used as a weapon, from which is expelled through a barrel a projectile by the force of an explosion or other form of combustion. "Firearm" does not include imitation firearms or BB guns and air rifles as defined in Government Code Section 53071.5.

C. "Ammunition" shall mean any ammunition as defined in Penal Code Section 12316(b)(2).

(Ord. 952, 6/2/09)

This Chapter does not apply to the following:

A. A peace officer as defined in Title 3, Part 2, Chapter 4.5 of the California Penal Code (Sections 830 et seq.);

B. A guard or messenger of a financial institution, a guard of a contract carrier operating an armored vehicle, a licensed private investigator, patrol operator, or alarm company operator, or uniformed security guard as these occupations are defined in Penal Code Section 12031(d) and who holds a valid certificate issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs under Penal Code Section 12033, while actually employed and engaged in protecting and preserving property or life within the scope of his or her employment;

C. The possession of a firearm by an authorized participant in a motion picture, television, video, dance or theatrical production or event, when the participant lawfully uses the firearm as part of that production or event, provided that when such firearm is not in the actual possession of the authorized participant, it is secured to prevent unauthorized use;

D. A person lawfully transporting firearms or ammunition in a motor vehicle on City roads;

E. A federal criminal investigator or law enforcement officer;

F. A member of the military forces of the State of California or of the United States while engaged in the performance of his or her duty.

(Ord. 952, 6/2/09)

It is unlawful for any person to carry onto or possess on City property a firearm, loaded or unloaded, or ammunition for a firearm.

(Ord. 952, 6/2/09)

If any provision of this Chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances held in valid, such invalidity shall not affect any other provision or application of this section which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Chapter are severable.

(Ord. 952, 6/2/09)

In the discretion of the Enforcement Officer, any person violating the provisions of this Chapter shall be issued an administrative citation pursuant to Beaumont Municipal Code Chapter 1.17 or shall be guilty of an infraction pursuant to Beaumont Municipal Code Chapter 1.16. In either case, the amount of the fine shall be the appropriate amount set forth in Section 1.16.030 of this Code. Each such violation shall be deemed a separate offense as specified in Section 1.16.040.

Notwithstanding the above, a first offense may be charged and prosecuted as a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $1,000.00, or six months in jail, or both.

(Ord. 952, 6/2/09; Ord. 997, 5-3-11)