Sacramento moves forward with firearm regulations to combat ‘senseless gun violence’
More strict firearm regulations are advancing through City Council chambers.
The ordinances, with some inspired by laws passed through the city of San Jose, range from requiring gun liability insurance to a yearly $25 gun harm reduction fee. The council’s Law and Legislation committee unanimously passed the regulations Tuesday. The ordinances will be considered next by the full City Council.
These ordinances, spearheaded by Councilwoman Lisa Kaplan and Mayor Darrell Steinberg, would also prohibit minors from entering gun dealerships and ban the sale of firearms from homes and residence-based businesses.
Families, community members speak out in support
Deborah Grimes — the mother of 31-year-old Greg Najee Grimes, who was shot and killed in a mass shooting outside Mix nightclub at 16th and L streets in 2022 — spoke in support of the proposed rules.
“Since that time, I’ve met many incredible families. Tragically, we are a collective. We have the same loss. They are survivor families as well,” Deborah Grimes said. “The through line is that all of those murders were senseless gun violence.”
Greg Najee Grimes is remembered as an effective role model and team motivator, according to the Greg Najee Grimes 212 Anchor Foundation, which advocates for gun violence prevention. He was a football star at Inderkum High School in Natomas before a collegiate career at Boise State University. He would later return to Inderkum as a coach after his football career at Boise State University. During his time at Inderkum, Najee started a Special Needs program for students.
Leah Schenk, the founder of the grassroots social justice organization EMPACT, suggested the city organize a community round table to address concerns about these ordinances. Overall in support, Schenk said Sacramento cannot continue to ignore gun violence.
“It’s imperative that we begin to have these conversations. I think it’s imperative that we act. I think that if we don’t, we continue to lose lives,” Schenk said.
Response from the city
City proposals typically take 30 to 45 days to reach its respective council committee, but in this case, these ordinances have been expedited.
Councilman Eric Guerra called for the regulations to move forward, saying that San Jose’s version of the proposal has “done a lot of legwork.”
“There’s been some legal precedent already, and that allows us to have this decision at the council and move forward,” Guerra said. “This is just one step.”
Sacramento has experienced an increase in homicides this year despite crime being down overall, according to a news release from the city. This year, there have been 34 homicides which has surpassed the 27 incidents during the first nine months of 2023. Last year, there were a total of 38 homicides.
Councilman Rick Jennings showed support for the ordinances, saying they give more resources to protect children, families and communities across Sacramento. During the meeting, he read off testimonies from families who have lost their loved ones to gun violence.
“We must act now. We are already too late in some cases,” Jennings said. “It’s a much needed conversation, and I don’t want to see another person or another family suffer.”
