GO - 58004 - Firearms - 011023

SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS GO 580.04 Page 1 of 8 580.04 FIREARMS 01-10-23 PURPOSE The purpose of this General Order is to regulate the carrying of authorized firearms by Department personnel; set guidelines for the issuance, maintenance, and modification of firearms; and establish standards and specifications for firearms and related accessories used by officers. POLICY It shall be the policy of the Sacramento Police Department that all officers have available and know how to use authorized firearms and firearm -related accessories as part of their safety equipment. PROCEDURE A. DEFINITIONS 1. PRIMARY – The main duty handgun or optional duty handgun carried by officers. May be Department issued or personally owned . 2. SECONDARY – An optional duty handgun, Department issued or personally owned , authorized by the Chief of Police (COP), for use as an alternative to a primary handgun by command staff , specialized units, and specific sworn officers. 3. BACK -UP – An optional, personally -owned , department -approved handgun carried by officers in addition to the primary or secondary firearm. 4. ON DUTY – For the purpose of this order, “on-duty” includes regular working hours , as well as overtime , and off -duty work -related assignments or emergencies , when specifically re quired by the Department . 5. SA – Single Action. 6. SAO – Single Action Only. 7. DA – Double Action. 8. DAO – Double Action Only. 9. ACCESSORIES – Holsters, sights, grips, optical s ighting devices, weapon -mounted lights , and/or any other accessories authorized by the Department Armorer. 10. TACTICAL WEAPON LIGHT – A device mounted on a firearm for illumination. 11. DUTY FIREARM – A firearm authorized by the department to be carried while on -duty. 12. MINIATURE RED DOT SIGHT (MRDS) – a non -magnified, electronic optic capable of being mounted to a pistol slide for use as the primary sighting system . 13. MILLED SLIDE – A pistol slide with a machine -cut recess and drilled and tapped holes to accept an MRDS and its mounting bolts. 14. SUPPRESSOR/OPTIC READY SIGHTS – Iron sights that are of sufficient height to be used in conjunction with an MRDS. 15. ADAPTER/SEALING PLATE – An adapter that allows a specific MRDS to be mounted on a particular optic -ready handgun. B. GENERAL 1. Under normal circums tances, all shotguns and rifles inside Department facilities shall be unloaded, with the action open and the safety on. 2. Department personnel conducting firearm training inside a Department facility shall use authorized training cartridges. 3. Department perso nnel shall ensure that shotguns and patrol rifles are unloaded prior to storing them. 4. The Department Armorer shall maintain the specifications for authorized firearms and holsters SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS GO 580.04 Page 2 of 8 (both Department issued and personally owned). The armorer will also maintain the ammunition specifications. 5. On-duty D epartment personnel shall only use firearms, accessories , and ammunition that have been approved by the Department . 6. The Weapons Committee shall make recommendations for authorized firearms, accessories , and ammunition. The specifications will be approved by the deputy chief, Office of Operations (OOO). 7. Unattended f irearms in a police facility shall be stored in a locked personal locker or in a designated locked safe at the officer’s assigned police facility. 8. Except as provided below, Department -issued rifles shall not be taken home without sworn management approva l. a. Officers with marked home retention vehicles may keep their firearm s secured in the locking device s of their vehicles. b. Officers with alarmed, unmarked home retention vehicles may keep their rifle s secured in the vehicle trunk with a cable lock or other locking device, with approval of their supervisor. c. Firearms may be locked in a purpose -built gun safe within the officer’s residence. 9. In compliance with California Penal Code Section 25140, any handgun stored in an unattend ed vehicle shall be locked in the vehicle’s trunk , placed in a locked container out of plain view , or placed in a locked container that is permanently affixed to the vehicle’s interior and not in plain view. A peace officer, when leaving a handgun in an un attended vehicle not equipped with a trunk, may lock the handgun out of plain view within the center utility console of that motor vehicle with a padlock, keylock, combination lock, or other similar locking device. This requirement applies to peace officer s on or off -duty but would not apply to a peace officer during circumstances requiring immediate aid or action that are within the course of their duties. C. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 1. The safe handling of firearms shall be the responsibility of e very employee. 2. All firearms and ammunition shall be stored, placed , or transported in a position safe from unintentional discharge. Before transporting loaded seized firearms, employees shall inform a supervisor. 3. Upon receipt by Department personnel , all firearms shall b e checked to determine if they are loaded. 4. Every firearm handled by Department personnel shall be treated as if the firearm were loaded. 5. The loading or unloading of firearms shall be conducted with full consideration of the consequences of an unintention al discharge per G.O