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Retailer, city at odds over proposed gun shop
By Richard Massey
The Daily News
Published March 05, 2003
GALVESTON — A Galveston man who wants to sell guns, ammunition and accessories from a house in the 200 block of 16th Street said Tuesday he’s getting the runaround from the city’s Department of Planning and Community Development.
Robby Rosser said the planning department has kept him from gaining a permit and opening the doors of Combat Weapons of Texas, a company that already holds a valid sales-and-use tax permit from the state.
Planning director Wendy O’Donohoe said last week that the city’s zoning regulations do not allow for stand-alone gun shops. The sale of guns is only allowed at department stores such as Academy, said O’Donohoe.
She reiterated her position on the issue on Tuesday.
“The Department of Planning and Community Development has determined that a stand-alone gun shop is not a permitted land use within a commercial zoning district,†said O’Donohoe.
Rosser, who is also waiting on a sign permit, strongly disagrees.
“That’s not true,†said Rosser, pointing to the fact that Shooter’s Supply and Accessories, which sells guns and ammunition, already operates at 1905 45th St.
Shooter’s Supply also holds a valid sales-and-use tax permit from the state. The designation held by Shooter’s is for sporting goods store and bicycle shops, the same designation on the permit held by Rosser.
Combat Weapons of Texas would essentially serve as a mom-and-pop gun shop, selling small quantities of guns over the counter and over the Internet. Rosser said he would also like to sell replacement gear and practice ammunition to local officers at the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office and the Galveston Police Department.
“I would probably never have more than 10-15 guns in the store at any given time,†said Rosser. “These guys (local lawmen) want a place to get their duty supplies without having to travel all the way to League City.â€
Permitted uses in the city’s Class C commercial zones include sporting goods stores, a designation similar to the designation on the state tax license.
“She has refused to call me and discuss this issue with me,†said Rosser, referring to O’Donohoe.
O’Donohoe said that her officers have not dismissed Rosser’s repeated attempts to contact the planning department.
“Staff is continuing to review the issue with the legal department,†said O’Donohoe. “Staff has been responsive to Mr. Rosser on numerous occasions.â€
Rosser also commented on the stance taken by councilman Joe Jaworski, who last week voiced his concerns over the shops’ location near a public housing complex, where many children play in the yard.
At 208 16th St., the gun shop would be located near Magnolia Homes, one of the Galveston Housing Authority’s major complexes. The store would also be right across the street from the complex’s administrative building.
Even after talks with Rosser, Jaworski said he is still uncomfortable with allowing the sale of guns and ammunition so close to a public housing complex.
“I still have trepidation about a gun shop opening up there,†said Jaworski on Tuesday. “It just sticks out like a sore thumb. I wish it wouldn’t be in that location.â€
Rosser pointed out that Shooter’s Supply is right across the street from Hometown Bank, The Boys and Girls Club of Galveston County and just half a block south of Parents Time Out child care.
Jaworski did applaud Rosser for being an “up-front†businessman who was clear and concise on what he planned to do with his gun shop.
Hmmmm... How can we as city council best serve our constituents?
1. Prevent them from opening a business and competing with large chain stores.
2. Prevent law abiding people who live in a rough area of town from having easy access to a gun store.
Retailer, city at odds over proposed gun shop
By Richard Massey
The Daily News
Published March 05, 2003
GALVESTON — A Galveston man who wants to sell guns, ammunition and accessories from a house in the 200 block of 16th Street said Tuesday he’s getting the runaround from the city’s Department of Planning and Community Development.
Robby Rosser said the planning department has kept him from gaining a permit and opening the doors of Combat Weapons of Texas, a company that already holds a valid sales-and-use tax permit from the state.
Planning director Wendy O’Donohoe said last week that the city’s zoning regulations do not allow for stand-alone gun shops. The sale of guns is only allowed at department stores such as Academy, said O’Donohoe.
She reiterated her position on the issue on Tuesday.
“The Department of Planning and Community Development has determined that a stand-alone gun shop is not a permitted land use within a commercial zoning district,†said O’Donohoe.
Rosser, who is also waiting on a sign permit, strongly disagrees.
“That’s not true,†said Rosser, pointing to the fact that Shooter’s Supply and Accessories, which sells guns and ammunition, already operates at 1905 45th St.
Shooter’s Supply also holds a valid sales-and-use tax permit from the state. The designation held by Shooter’s is for sporting goods store and bicycle shops, the same designation on the permit held by Rosser.
Combat Weapons of Texas would essentially serve as a mom-and-pop gun shop, selling small quantities of guns over the counter and over the Internet. Rosser said he would also like to sell replacement gear and practice ammunition to local officers at the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office and the Galveston Police Department.
“I would probably never have more than 10-15 guns in the store at any given time,†said Rosser. “These guys (local lawmen) want a place to get their duty supplies without having to travel all the way to League City.â€
Permitted uses in the city’s Class C commercial zones include sporting goods stores, a designation similar to the designation on the state tax license.
“She has refused to call me and discuss this issue with me,†said Rosser, referring to O’Donohoe.
O’Donohoe said that her officers have not dismissed Rosser’s repeated attempts to contact the planning department.
“Staff is continuing to review the issue with the legal department,†said O’Donohoe. “Staff has been responsive to Mr. Rosser on numerous occasions.â€
Rosser also commented on the stance taken by councilman Joe Jaworski, who last week voiced his concerns over the shops’ location near a public housing complex, where many children play in the yard.
At 208 16th St., the gun shop would be located near Magnolia Homes, one of the Galveston Housing Authority’s major complexes. The store would also be right across the street from the complex’s administrative building.
Even after talks with Rosser, Jaworski said he is still uncomfortable with allowing the sale of guns and ammunition so close to a public housing complex.
“I still have trepidation about a gun shop opening up there,†said Jaworski on Tuesday. “It just sticks out like a sore thumb. I wish it wouldn’t be in that location.â€
Rosser pointed out that Shooter’s Supply is right across the street from Hometown Bank, The Boys and Girls Club of Galveston County and just half a block south of Parents Time Out child care.
Jaworski did applaud Rosser for being an “up-front†businessman who was clear and concise on what he planned to do with his gun shop.
Hmmmm... How can we as city council best serve our constituents?
1. Prevent them from opening a business and competing with large chain stores.
2. Prevent law abiding people who live in a rough area of town from having easy access to a gun store.