Editorials
Gun shops don't belong in residential neighborhoods
TBO.com
Published: January 1, 2012
"Outrage over gun-sale plan" was the headline of reporter Michael D. Bates' story about a Planning and Zoning Commission ruling that allowed the issuance of a special exception for a home based business.Published: January 1, 2012
The nature of the business is the reason for all the outrage, which is to sell and assemble firearms in a residential dwelling in a residentially zoned community. There is no Second Amendment issue involved, as people are free to purchase firearms in Hernando County with the legal requirements adhered to.
The issue here is whether this a compatible use in a residential setting.
How will the requirements set down by the planning and zoning commission be policed by the county? They limited his hours of operation from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but is anyone going to check on visitors who may arrive outside of those hours?
How will anyone know that there is only one client a day entering the home? In the narrative regarding the application, it states that there will be allowed limited assembly and upgrading of firearms. That sounds like a gunsmith operation and is the applicant a gunsmith?
If not, who will do the upgrading of the firearms, which in itself is a pretty technical operation? It was also stated in the story that the applicant has yet to receive his Federal Firearms License, which is a prerequisite for this type of business and prompted the application for the special exemption.
Were the requirements and other details of a federal firearms license discussed and debated at the staff or planning and zoning level?
Another question is does ammunition fit into the category of accessories? Finally, there are other options for the applicant and starting a business in a residentially zoned area does not seem reasonable.