If you own a firearm, its safe storage is one of your most important responsibilities. You must always secure your firearm and ammunition so they are not accessible to children or other unauthorized persons.

Even if you don’t have a gun in your home, you must consider the possibility that your child may someday come into contact with a firearm or another child who has access to one.  Just like any other dangerous situation, a simple conversation with your child may prevent an injury or worse.

• Never touch a gun.
• Immediately leave any area where you see a gun.
• Find an adult and tell them if you see or find a weapon.
• If someone threatens you at school or talks about bringing a gun to school, speak up!  Tell an adult, like a teacher or parent.

Basic Safety Rules

Remind your child that they shouldn’t worry about getting another child into trouble and that they may just be saving their life if they alert an adult.
Basic Safety Rules:

• Never use alcohol or drugs before or while shooting: Do not use your firearm if you are on any medication that impairs, even slightly, your mental or physical ability.
  
• Before handling any firearm, understand how it operates. Not all firearms are the same. Familiarize yourself with the mechanical features of any firearm you intend to use. The best way to ensure you understand the safe operation of a firearm is to take a firearms safety class.  These classes are often offered at firing ranges and retail stores.
  
• Always safely store and secure your firearm: Safe and secure storage is one of the most critical responsibilities of firearms ownership. The Irvine Police Department keeps a supply of cable locks for firearms at the Business Desk. These locks are provided, free of charge, to Irvine residents.
  
• Always lock and store ammunition in a separate location: Secure your firearm and ammunition separately so they are not accessible to children or other unauthorized persons. Please make sure children cannot access the gun safe/cabinet keys.
  
• Always treat every firearm as if it were loaded: Do not take anyone’s word that the gun is unloaded – always check for yourself.
  
• Always keep you firearm pointed in a safe direction: This is particularly important when loading or unloading the firearm.
  
• Never place your finger inside the trigger guard unless you intend to fire: Your firearm cannot fire unless the trigger is pulled. Could you make sure that other objects do not touch the trigger?

Gun Take Back Program

The Irvine Police Department will accept any firearms under our voluntary gun-take-back program. If you want to surrender your firearm, please contact our Business Desk for directions on how to proceed. You can reach our Business Desk Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at (949) 724-7000.