Sec. 19-14. - Possession of firearms on county property prohibited.

(a)

Misdemeanor. Every person who brings onto or possesses on county property a firearm, loaded or unloaded, or ammunition for a firearm is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(b)

County Property. As used in this section, the term "county property" means real property, including any buildings thereon, owned or leased by the county of Sonoma (hereinafter "county"), and in the county's possession, or in the possession of a public or private entity under contract with the county to perform a public purpose, including but not limited to real property owned or leased by the county in the unincorporated and incorporated portions of the county, such as the County Fairgrounds in the city of Santa Rosa, 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.

(c)

Firearm. "Firearm" means 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.

(d)

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

(e)

Exceptions. Section 9.14(a) does not apply to the following:

(1)

A peace officer as defined in Title 3, Part 2, Chapter 4.5 of the California Penal Code (Section 830 et seq.), whether active or honorably retired and authorized by law to carry a concealed firearm;

(2)

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(b) 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;

(3)

A person holding a valid license to carry a firearm issued pursuant to Penal Code Section 12050;

(4)

The possession of a firearm by an authorized participant in a motion picture, television, video, dance, or theatrical production permitted by the county, or a ceremonial event permitted by the county including, but not limited to, a ceremonial event conducted by a veterans organization, 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;

(5)

A person lawfully transporting firearms or ammunition in a motor vehicle on county roads;

(6)

A person lawfully using a target range operated by the Santa Rosa Junior College, the Sonoma County sheriff's department, or any other state or local law enforcement agency;

(7)

A federal criminal investigator or law enforcement officer;

(8)

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;

(9)

A person who brings onto or possesses on county property a firearm for the purpose of turning the firearm into the Sonoma County sheriff's department or any other public official or employee authorized to take possession of the firearm; or

(10)

The possession of a firearm for the purpose of conducting a fund-raising event by a registered nonprofit organization. Any firearm brought onto county property pursuant to this subsection shall at all times be secured with an appropriate trigger lock. In addition to the provisions of this Section 19-14, the county official responsible for the operation of the facility or property where the fund-raising event is to be conducted may establish and enforce additional requirements regarding the manner in which the firearms are displayed during the event.

(Ord. No. 5227 § 1, 2000; Ord. No. 5218 § 2, 2000.)