Own It? Respect It. Secure It.

As a effort to raise awareness and promote firearm safety, the Novato Police Department partnered with Project ChildSafe in 2018, which is a national firearms safety education program.  This program provides firearms safety kits to the community, available for pick up at the front counter of the Police Station during regular business hours. 

The goal of Project ChildSafe, developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), is to educate community members of safe firearms handling practices and assist in the reduction of firearm accidents in local communities. The program is supported by the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance and the firearms industry.

Residents are encouraged to pick up a Project Child Safe safety kits so they can securely store their firearms. Each kit contains a safety curriculum and a cable-style lock. The locks will fit most style handguns, rifles and shotguns. The goal is to prevent a child or any other unauthorized person from accessing your firearm in your home.

Project Child Safe has their own web site for more information.

For more information about firearms safety and laws related to the proper storage of firearms, visit the California Department of Justice website. 

Unwanted Firearms?

Did you know Novato Police can assist you with any unwanted firearms, ammunition or fireworks? 

The department offers walk-in services Monday - Thursday, 8am - 5pm. 

When turning over a firearm:

1. If you would like to call ahead to let officers know you have items to bring in for destruction, please call our non-emergency business line at 415-897-4361.
2. If you know how to safely unload the firearm before bringing it into the department, please do so. 
3. Please DO NOT bring a firearm into the police station under any circumstances. Put the firearm in a locked box safely in the trunk of your vehicle and let the front desk know that you have a firearm in for destruction in your vehicle.
4. If you have a larger gun or rifle, call the non-emergency number (415) 897-4361 and ask if an officer can be dispatched to your location to pick up your weapon.

What happens to the items I bring in?

• Firearms will be checked to be sure they have not been reported stolen and that they are properly secured.
• Firearms turned into the Novato Police Department are picked up and melted down through a third party destruction service.