Don Larkin, assistant city attorney, said the Palo Alto ordinance has been pre-empted by state legislation on posessing bb and air guns. But it is still illegal to display those guns in public in Palo Alto unless transporting them.

Why didn't you check before you wrote the story Mr. Kazak! Do your homework. The Palo Alto Municipal Code is available online so this is very easy to check. I notice you have now changed your story, but it should have been correct in the first place.

Municipal Code 9.08.010 does make it illegal to posess air and bb guns. But that has been preempted by the state.

Please read this Mr. Kazak. It is the actual Municipal Code. Unless it is wrong, it clearly states in section number 3 that if you are in lawful possession of a firearm, you can have it at your home or business. And what about section 2? How could you use said firearm in self-defense if it was illegal even to have one? If anyone wants to read the entire thing, it is available online.
(a)The provisions of Section 9.08.010 as to the use of any of the firearms mentioned therein shall not apply to any of the following cases:
(1)To police, peace officers or persons in military service in the discharge of their duties and using reasonable care;
(2)To persons using firearms in necessary self-defense;
(3)To the possession of such firearms for keeping at the place of residence or business of the person otherwise in lawful possession thereof, or while traveling to or from a legal firing, shooting or target range or hunting ground;