San Francisco, CA — San Francisco Mayor London Breed and San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu today issued a joint statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a New York state law that required a person to show “proper cause” in order to obtain a permit to carry a firearm in public.

“During a time when too many families are grieving and we are experiencing unprecedented levels of gun violence in our communities, the Supreme Court is making decisions that continue to move us back,” said Mayor Breed. “I am deeply disappointed by today’s ruling. In San Francisco, we will continue to partner with community organizations to ensure that guns are taken off the streets because we know that we are safer and stronger without them.”

“In the midst of a national reckoning on increasing gun violence, the Supreme Court has made it harder for state and local governments to keep our public spaces safe,” said City Attorney Chiu. “This decision represents a troubling extension of gun rights by the Court and is out of step with what the Constitution envisioned. We are reviewing the ruling and what impact, if any, it has on San Francisco’s policies. In the coming weeks, we will work with our partners in law enforcement and state government to preserve, enforce, and defend lawful, commonsense gun safety policies.”

In San Francisco and California, it is generally prohibited to carry a loaded firearm, whether concealed or openly, in a public place without a license issued by law enforcement. City agencies are reviewing San Francisco’s licensing requirements in light of today’s Supreme Court decision, and will continue to enforce all lawful concealed-carry licensing requirements, including background checks, firearm safety training, and proof of residency or employment in the county in which the license is issued.

San Francisco has taken steps in recent years to reduce gun violence, including:

• Removing firearms from individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others through obtaining Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs);
• Suing large capacity magazine repair kit suppliers to stop them from sending their products to San Francisco; and
• Drafting amicus briefs to support firearms enforcement efforts across the country.

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