PC 11/12/97 - Laserfiche WebLink

.' Commissioner Lutz commented that any question relating to guns is always a very highly charged issue. He views the issue as one where the City is being asked to regulate commercial activity, and feels that the sale of firearms is an activity the should be regulated. He noted that the proposed ordinance would allow an FFL dealer up to one full year to establish a business location change, and he believes the start-up costs would be minimal. He stated that if gun shop dealers are currently working with FFL dealers, then it may be possible for a home dealer to establish a business dealership there. With regard to gun shows at the Fairgrounds, he does not believe that this Commission or the City should try to solve the County's problems with the Fairgrounds. Commissioner Lutz also stated that he agrees that guns sales should not occur in public places. He, therefore, supports the ordinance, but believes there should be a separate zoning requirement for the Fairgrounds. Commissioner Dove noted that the City Council indicated that they are interested in some type of gun control. However, he commented that there have been no complaints against home FFL dealers, and he feels the fact that the Police Chief did not attend the meeting is significant. He further related that anytime ordinances or permit applications came before the Commission relating to home-based businesses such as daycare, swimming lessons, and piano lessons, it was in response to neighborhood complaints. He specifically feels that the FFL dealers present no nuisance problems because there have been no complaints. He therefore, does not support the ordinance. With regard to the fairgrounds issue, he believes that the Commission should vote on that issue and let the County decide whether to comply with the recommendation. Chair Cooper stated that he is not in support of the ordinance. He noted that the issue before the Commission is not gun ownership, but rather where guns can be sold. He related that automobiles are responsible for more deaths on an annual basis than guns. He further commented that the Fairgrounds supports car shows, street car rallies and that, in his view, cars are weapons. He feels that gun shows at the Fairgrounds represent no more of a threat than store-front gun stores. Chair Cooper shared that he recently attended a gun show at the Fairgrounds, and he found the safety to be good and overall the function was clean and orderly. He agrees with Commissioner Dove that the Commission should vote on the Fairgrounds issue and let the County decide whether to comply with the recommendation. Chair Cooper believes that home FFL dealers are probably the safest gun owners in the City. He stated that they have a thorough understanding and an awareness of guns and are under strict federal restrictions. He also commented that an FFL dealer with a gun poses no more of a threat than a neighbor who owns a gun. He feels that FFL dealers are not enough of a threat to public safety to be singled out any more than a small mail order or telemarketing business. He, therefore, will not support the ordinance. A brief discussion was held relating to the exempt and non-exempt status. The Commission also discussed Commissioner Barker's suggestion that problem cases be brought before the Commission so that each case could be reviewed and decided upon individually based upon the severity of the complaint. Planning Commission Minutes Page 14 November 12, 1997