Firearms, Etc. — Firing Prohibited — Exceptions
San Diego Municipal Code § 53.10
in effect§53.10 Firearms, Etc. — Firing Prohibited — Exceptions
(a) Purpose and Intent. It is the purpose and intent of the Council of The City of San Diego that the firing of firearms and other explosives within the city limits be strictly regulated for the protection of all persons and property located in the City.
(b) Definitions. For the purposes of this section:
(1) Firearm shall mean any weapon from which a missile, such as, but not limited to, a bullet, ball, or shell, is hurled by an explosive.
(2) Fire shall mean to explode, discharge, or impel by using heat, percussion or electric spark.
(3) The term explosive is defined as it is in Section 53.05 of this Article.
(c) Prohibition. No person shall fire any firearm or explode any explosive within The City of San Diego.
(d) Exceptions. This section does not apply to firearms fired under the authority of the United States or the State of California, nor to shooting galleries or target ranges; nor where a permit has been issued or a firing area designated by the City Council pursuant to Subsections (e) and (f) hereof.
(e) Permits. The City Council, by resolution, may issue written permits to fire firearms upon such terms and under such conditions as it deems proper. The terms and conditions imposed by the Council shall be set forth on the face of any permit issued under this subsection.
(f) The City Council, by resolution, may designate certain areas within the City in which it shall be lawful to fire firearms upon such terms and under such conditions as the Council deems proper.
(Amended 10–8–1964 by O–9092 N.S.)
Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter05/Ch05Art03Division00.pdf#page=1Fetched: 10/28/2026