San Francisco’s High Bridge Arms Can Reopen

Despite hundreds of e-mails and letters opposing the re-opening of San Francisco’s only gun store, High Bridge Arms, the Police Department granted them a conditional permit to reopen. The 3-member panel that heard High Bridge’s request said that the opponents “had failed to offer evidence backing their assertion that the store brought crime to the neighborhood.”

In a post I did on this in August, I noted one of the suggestions for the space was a wine and cheese store or a laundry. In virtually any other city in the world, I’d have said the person making that suggestion was being sarcastic. In San Francisco, they mean it.

The permit does impose some conditions upon High Bridge Arms. They must update their security including increased video surveillance and waist-high crash barriers outside to prevent cars from smashing throught the store’s front. High Bridge is also being required to lock up all firearms in a safe outside of business hours as well as require a parent or guardian to accompany those under 18 entering the store. In a bone tossed to the neighborhood on appearance, they can’t have any advertising on their display windows.

The owners had no problem with the requirement to update their security. Steve Alcairo, the store’s manager, said “It’s a fair request. It’s about following the letter of the law, and that’s what we do.”

Despite all the e-mails and letters opposing the re-opening, only 4 people bothered to speak against it at the hearing while 10 spoke for it.

This is pretty typical in my opinion given how easy it is to pop out an email opposing something. However, when it comes down to actually going to a hearing and testifying, it becomes too much trouble. Fortunately, the good guys won this round.

Are You Sure This is Texas?

The Dallas Morning News ran a story today about a proposal in Carrollton, TX to prohibit gun stores from opening near liquor and certain other stores. Carrollton is a suburb of Dallas.

The Carrollton City Council heard from residents who were upset when Big Slim’s Guns opened for business in a mini-mall that also contains a liquor store. The controversy was started by an email sent to residents of the Highland Neighborhood Association by its president, Steve Babick. Mr. Babick said the opposition to Big Slim’s was “fear of the unknown” and suggested that the owner, Jack Kendall, speak at a future neighborhood association.

In response to the “concern” shown by residents, Councilman Terry Simons proposed a new ordinance “that would restrict future gun shops from opening near liquor stores and certain other retail establishments.” The ordinance will be discussed at a future Council meeting.

The co-owner of Big Slim’s, Jack Kendall, is none too happy about being treated “like strip clubs.” Kendall vowed to fight the ordinance and predicted it wouldn’t go anywhere. If it is approved, the Texas State Rifle Association has said they will fight it.

In defense of his proposed ordinance, Councilman Simons said:

During a break in the meeting, Simons defended his proposal. Big Slim’s posed a potential threat to public safety, he said, pointing to numerous burglaries and a deadly shooting that took place near the mini mall in recent years.

A threat to public safety? Who is he trying to kid? Gun stores have some of the stoutest security of any retail establishment with CCTV systems, iron bars over the windows, security gates, and vaults for the firearms when closed.

At this same meeting, the Council passed laws against herbs used as intoxicants such as K2 and salvia. This passed without any discussion. Given that, you’d expect more concern about a liquor store than a gun store.

H/T Alphecca