Pier 14 Shooting That Killed Pleasanton Woman Inspires Proposed Gun Legislation

PLEASANTON, CA — Kate Steinle, a former Pleasanton resident shot and killed on San Francisco's Pier 14 in July of 2015, is one of several cases to inspire proposed gun legislation in an attempt to safeguard federal service weapons from theft.

Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) introduced the Federal Law Enforcement and Public Protection Act in an effort mandate federal agencies to implement safeguards to help prevent federal law enforcement officers’ service weapons from becoming lost and stolen, according to a statement released by DeSaulnier’s office.

“Locking a firearm when it is not in use should be standard practice. Yet, the glaring gap in current policies regarding gun safety has led to federal law enforcement weapons being stolen and subsequently used in crimes. My bill would ensure that federal law enforcement officers are properly storing their guns to protect the public and themselves,” said Congressman Mark DeSaulnier in the statement.

Steinle, a 32-year-old Pleasanton native who had recently moved to San Francisco, was shot on July 1 while walking with family members on Pier 14.

Police arrested Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, who had been deported from the United States five times and had seven prior felony convictions, within an hour of the shooting. Police said the gun used in the shooting was allegedly stolen from the car of a Bureau of Land Management agent who had left it unsecured in a backpack.

Among other things, the bill would require federal law enforcement officers to lock their weapons when not in use.

“This bill would put into place simple reforms to make certain our law enforcement uses best practices that can save lives,” said Congressman Mark Desaulnier.

Steinle’s death and other recent law enforcement gun thefts from vehicles inspired San Francisco Supervisor David Campos to introduce legislation, approved in February, requiring all guns stored in cars parked in San Francisco to be secured in lockboxes.

Lopez-Sanchez has been charged with murder in Steinle's death, but defense attorneys have indicated they are likely to argue the shooting was the result of an accidental ricochet.

Related:

• Expert Witnesses Say Bullet Likely Ricocheted Off Pier 14 Before Fatally Striking Woman
• Kate Steinle's Family Files Lawsuit
• House Passes SoCal Congressman’s Legislation to De-Fund ‘Sanctuary Cities’
• SF Pier 14 Killing Spurs U.S. Senate Hearing on Immigration Enforcement
• Family of Pleasanton Woman Fatally Shot in SF Pier Starts Fundraiser to Support Causes She Loved
• Sources: Gun That Killed Woman on SF Pier 14 Possibly Stolen From Federal Agent

Bay City News contributed to this report.

Photo courtesy Go Fund Me