Palm Springs Police to Launch Pierce's Pledge Gun Safety Storage Program

The Palm Springs Police Department is set to launch a new firearms safety initiative designed to prevent domestic tragedies and protect families during times of crisis. Known as the Pierce's Pledge Gun Safety Storage Program, the initiative provides local residents with a safe, confidential, and completely free option to voluntarily surrender their firearms for secure storage at the department for up to one year.

The program was inspired by a profound personal tragedy. It was created in partnership with Lesley Hu, who founded the nonprofit organization Pierce's Pledge after her nine-year-old son, Pierce, was shot and killed by his father during a volatile family law and custody dispute in San Francisco. The program aims to address the risk of gun violence during emotionally charged times by offering gun owners a practical resource to temporarily remove weapons from the home when domestic situations become unstable.

According to law enforcement officials, the storage program is entirely voluntary and carries no financial cost to participants. Firearms surrendered to the department will be securely maintained in a police holding facility for up to twelve months. Prior to the one-year expiration mark, department staff will contact the owner with instructions on how to reclaim their property, provided they remain legally eligible to possess a firearm. Alternatively, owners who choose not to bring the weapons back into their homes can arrange to sell or transfer the titles to a federally licensed firearms dealer.

The announcement of the new initiative coincides with the twelfth annual National Gun Violence Awareness Day and the start of Wear Orange Weekend, a nationwide observance dedicated to raising awareness about firearm safety and honoring victims of gun violence. Palm Springs Deputy Chief Kyle Stjerne emphasized that providing a secure, off-site storage option gives families a vital lifeline when internal dynamics shift, supporting responsible gun ownership by recognizing when a household is safer without a firearm present.

Police administrators are scheduled to formally present the framework of the safety storage program to the Palm Springs City Council during its upcoming municipal meeting. Following the presentation, department leaders and Lesley Hu will outline the full rollout of the program and provide educational resources to local family law attorneys and community outreach groups to ensure residents know how to access the service.

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