Gun Safety Information
Everyone has the power to make a difference on gun violence.
On this page:
Chief Bowers' call to action on gun safety
In an open letter to the community dated May 12, 2023, Piedmont Police Chief Jeremy Bowers called on residents to take steps within our own power to prevent gun violence:
The current state of affairs leaves many feeling helpless, at a loss, and in fear. But we are not helpless. We can work to control what we have the power to control.
...
When each of us takes steps within our power to improve the safety of our own lived situations, it improves all our safety collectively. Piedmont Police work daily to prevent gun violence – through proactive enforcement that takes guns off the street, through accepting and destroying unwanted firearms, and through other actions within our power as law enforcement. In the case of the recent threat to one of our schools, the students who overheard a concerning comment did the right thing within their own power by telling their teacher.
By the time you read this letter, we will have lost many more people to gun violence nationally. As grim as that feels, I know we can find power as a community, one household at a time, to make a difference starting by securing weapons within our own homes.
Read the full letter here.
Safe gun storage
If you own a gun, always assume that your child is aware and take steps to ensure the gun is not accessible to them.
Here are some actionable steps you can take now:
- Always keep guns locked in a gun safe.
- Use a trigger lock. If you don’t have one, come by the police department and we will give you one.
- If you don’t want your gun, surrender it to us. We will destroy it free of charge.
Resources:
Ask about guns in the house
Before your child visits, ask family, friends, and neighbors if there are guns in their home and how they are secured.
As parents and guardians, we ask all sorts of questions before our child visits another home. We ask about pets in the house, discuss allergies and Internet access, and inquire about supervision. You can make our whole community safer by adding one more question to the list: "Is there an unlocked gun in your house?"
Resources:
Gun Violence Restraining Orders
If there are safety concerns associated with the presence of firearms in a complex life situation, please reach out for help.
Piedmont Police are experienced with procuring gun violence restraining orders and may be able to remove the guns from the situation. You can reach us 24 hours a day at (510) 420-3000 for a non-emergency request and 911 for all emergencies.
Resources: