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This article will make you puke a little. It did for me. Most of the comments are as bad as the article.
http://www.eastbayri.com/detail/129534.html
http://www.eastbayri.com/detail/129534.html
WARREN/BARRINGTON — Warren Zoning Board members unanimously voted to deny an application for a special use permit filed by Barrington residents Robert and Diane Nichols to operate a gun shop on a 7-acre site on Child Street.
Board members denied the application on grounds that boxes of shells stored together would be considered “bulk explosives,” and therefore were prohibited in the town charter. There is no definition as to what “bulk” means but members felt that grouped shells, even if stored properly, constituted as bulk explosives.
If the gun shop was approved, it would have been operated out of a 2,000-square-foot building located at 249 Child St. and called “American Guns and Ammo.” Mr. and Mrs. Nichols own R&D Construction, also located on Child Street.
According to Mr. Nichols, about 100 to 150 long guns, like rifles, and 12 to 24 handguns would have been kept in stock and shipped to the store via trucks. The long guns would be assembled in three parts. The small guns would have been fully assembled excluding the magazine or clip.
Warren residents filled the meeting and cited concerns over the potential danger a gun shop would bring to neighborhoods surrounding the site. Common concerns were a drop in property values, whether guns would be tested on the premises, and how visibly the gun shop would be advertised.
Illegal transactions that allow felons to obtain guns through another buyer with a clean record who would pass a background check, also known as “straw purchases,” was also a fear for some residents.
Warren resident Jerry Belair said a gun shop, even if legal and regulated by the federal government, would bring in illegal activity to town, especially since the Tiahrt Amendment passed by the Bush Administration requires weapon stores to destroy background checks of gun purchasers within 24 hours.
“You may not see it, but people will be selling guns to convicted felons for a profit,” said Mr. Belair. “It’s a quick $50.”
Mr. Nichols told the board that the store would be safe since background checks are required from every client. Moreover, he could refuse to sell a firearm to any client regardless of the reason.
“If someone comes in, and they are whispering to a friend, and they want to get a gun, I don’t have to sell it to them,” said Mr. Nichols.
He also said he would comply with every federal and town regulation.
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Warren Police Chief Thomas Gordon and Fire Chief Al Galinelli told zoning board members that security cameras and an advanced fire alarm system would be required of the shop before it could open, however, the store would be regulated by the federal government with its own licensing regulations separate from the town. They told members that they would work with the town to enforce necessary regulations, but their area of expertise did not concern federal gun store regulations; though Chief Gordon did tell the board that a gun store in Middletown has not had any problems with break-ins.
When board member Ben Ferrazzano expressed concern over the ability for shells to explode while being stored together, Chief Galinelli told the board that there needs to be an ignition for a fire to start. Without the ignition, the shells would remain intact.
Without speaking, Mr. Ferrazzano lined up four types of bullets along the table during the middle of the meeting.
Currently there are no stores that sell and assemble firearms in Warren. There hasn’t been a store in Warren that sells guns since Jamiel’s House of a Million Items sold a limited amount of firearms decades ago.
Residents’ concerns
Karen Ouellette, a Warren resident, told members she would have never bought her home if she knew a gun shop would be operating directly across from it. She said children frequent the streets and that while it may not be common, armed break-ins do happen. She felt a gun shop locates nearby would make the chances of break-ins increase.
“I know that it’s rare but the threat is there,” said Ms. Ouellette.
Resident Kathleen Sullivan asked Mr. Nichols if children would be allowed in the store. He said yes, as long as an adult was with the child.
Ultimately, after about 45 minutes of discussion, the zoning board decided to deny the request.
“From the information presented, I think it’s a clear decision,” said Mr. Ferrazzano.
Mr. Nichols would not comment on the decision while leaving the meeting.
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