San Mateo Supes Approve $1M In Gun Law Enforcement

REDWOOD CITY, CA — The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors pledged $1 million Tuesday to keep firearms out of the hands of people prohibited from possessing guns, such as owners convicted of a violent crime or are subject to a domestic violence or workplace restraining order.

The funding, provided by Measure K, was granted in the light of recent mass shootings in San Jose and Sacramento that killed a total of 13 lives. The funds will be used to help state and local authorities enforce existing laws preventing individuals who have lost the right to own guns from obtaining them due to either violent crimes, serious mental illness, active restraining orders, and other causes.

The funding was announced at a forum hosted by Board President Don Horsley, Vice President Dave Pine, and attended by California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

“Having California Attorney General Rob Bonta in attendance was exceedingly helpful in boosting the profile of the County’s efforts, resulting in the funding and implementation of carefully thought-out remedies for the difficult problems presented by the use of prohibited guns,” Horsley said in a statement.

The board also voted unanimously to provide $4 million in rental subsidies and support services to further the county’s goal of ending homelessness. $3 million is expected to provide a local rent subsidy for 100 units of housing, while $1 million will go toward case management and other services, the county said in a news release.

San Mateo has set a goal of attaining “functional zero” homelessness by the end of the year, meaning that homelessness is rare, and anyone who wants shelter can access it.