Update, err kind of
Gun shops dueling
SALISBURY — A split between former associates at a local gun shop could bring two gun shops to Route 1 in close proximity to the town's elementary school.
The situation is causing such confusion, selectmen sent police Chief David L'Esperance to get to the bottom of how one long-established Route 1 gun shop just multiplied to two.
The situation has selectmen unnerved and facing the possibility of hosting two gun shops and firing ranges within three-tenths of a mile of each other, with hundreds of children at the local elementary school in between.
A gun shop and firing range would never be allowed at 90 Lafayette Road today, given its closeness to Salisbury Elementary School, said Selectman Don Beaulieu. The reason Bob's Tactical was there is because it was established long before the elementary school was built, he said. Another gun shop near the school may not be allowed.
The problem came to the selectmen's attention when attorney Robert Forrest asked for an address change amendment to his local business license for Bob's Tactical Shooting Range and Gun Shop from 90 Lafayette Road to 124B Lafayette Road. The approval of the change wouldn't have been a problem, if it weren't for the fact that the gun shop currently at 90 Lafayette Road appears to be staying open as well. A drive by the old property of the old Bob's Tactical shows a new gun shop sign: The Original Bob's Indoor Public Shooting Range and Gun Shop.
About halfway in between the two is Salisbury Elementary School at 100 Lafayette Road.
When selectmen learned Forrest may have already opened for business at his new address before they signed the amended business license, they told L'Esperance to serve a cease and desist order to Forrest, in effect closing the place until they find out what's going on.
Beyond the proximity to the school, selectmen and L'Esperance are also concerned about the change because having a firing range requires a special permit, which the business had at its previous location but not necessarily at the new one. The abutters at the new property, L'Esperance said, could be upset about the noise and shooting activity.
L'Esperance said all the state and federal firearms licenses at the 90 Lafayette Road gun shop and firing range are in order, but the personnel involved may have changed, resulting in the move. Selectmen, however, want a full report from L'Esperance on who owns each gun shop and what activities are planned for each.
Town records indicate some of the ownership history at the 90 Lafayette Road gun shop that's been in existence for a long time.
The original name on the license for the gun shop and indoor firing range was Bob Bernstien, who gave his name to the business. Managing the shop for Bernstien was Jim Balou, who has the state and federal firearms licenses used at the establishment allowing the sale of arms, as well as firearms education and teaching of shooting.
Forrest, a Haverhill attorney and a part-time South Hampton police prosecutor and lieutenant, entered the picture in 2006, purchasing the firearms business — but not the property — from Bernstien. Forrest changed the legal name to Baystate Arms, LLC, but continued to do business as Bob's Tactical.
Forrest ran the business on property owned by Bernstien and with Balou's involvement and licenses until recently.
According to documents found at Town Hall, Bernstien is opening another gun shop in his 90 Lafayette Road property, perhaps with Balou's involvement and state and federal firearms permits.
The only way to address the new situation is to find the facts and speak to Forrest and the others, selectmen said. They aren't going to sign any new or amended licenses for gun shops until L'Esperance inspects the premises and receives answers, and until the owners show up for further questioning at a future selectmen's meeting.
Forrest could not be reached yesterday afternoon.