Residents now required to report stolen firearms
Those who don't could be charged with a misdemeanor
By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

The City Council adopted an ordinance Monday night requiring citizens to report cases of lost or stolen firearms.

The intent is to assist law enforcement in keeping track of weapons that could potentially be used in crimes.

"There wasn't really an incident or trend that necessitated us doing this," said Police Chief Mike Lewis.

The ordinance is simply being used as a proactive measure to help raise community awareness about the general safeguarding of privately owned firearms, Lewis said. It has already been adopted in cities including Thousand Oaks, West Hollywood and Los Angeles.

Part of the Simi Valley PD's interest in the ordinance stems from the city's proximity to the greater Los Angeles area. Police noted that, historically, many criminals from that area come to Simi to commit crimes, Lewis said.

"We need to get information as quickly as possible when a gun is lost or stolen," he said.

Besides being able to track the firearms, the ordinance would also help police identify "straw purchasers," those who buy or transfer firearms to people who cannot legally buy or own them. The ordinance requires owners to report the loss or theft of firearms within 72 hours of discovery.

Additionally, those who've experienced the loss or theft of a firearm within the last five years have 90 days from the date the ordinance goes into effect- Aug. 23- to file a report. Anyone found in noncompliance risks being charged with a misdemeanor.

Coincidentally, in recent weeks, there have been at least two reports of stolen firearms in the city of Simi.

On July 18, a Simi resident reported the theft of two shotguns and two rifles valued at $2,819.

According to a police report, the firearms were stolen from his home sometime between June 1 and July 18.

In another incident, six shotguns valued at about $17,400 were reported stolen on July 14 from the Simi Valley Mini-Storage on the 2500 block of First Street.

"It reinforces why that ordinance is so important," police spokesperson Sgt. David Livingstone said. "Without the ordinance, the shotguns could potentially be used in a crime and nobody would realize where they came from."