Los Gatos resident Deborah Weinstein appeared this week before the Town Council to request that new policies be adopted controlling the issuance of business permits for gun retailers.
The Tait Avenue resident said, as a mother of two small children,
Weinstein said she would like the Council to either prohibit gun stores in town or, at the very least, require gun retailers to obtain conditional-use permits that would obligate them to go through community hearings notifying neighborhoods so residents can give input on their operations.
"While I realize it's [Templar Sports] a legal business and technically nothing was required prior to issuing the appropriate permits, I feel as a member of this town, a very family focused community, that we should have had the tools in place to review this type of business prior to its installation," she said.
Such a policy would allow residents to review the location and the appropriateness of such retailers in town, she added.
"I'm saddened that we're now reacting to the Templar Sports instead of being part of the process. I believe that we should have been notified," she said.
"We, Los Gatans, are a small town and we care about the entire community, not just the interests of one segment."
Weinstein wants a member of the Council to initiate and fast-track such legislation to also allow residents the opportunity to review what types of other retail uses the community should be notified about during their business application process and where they will be located.
will serve the hunting, fishing, target sports, and law enforcement communities, said who's acting as an adviser to the shop and its management as they work to start operation in town.
She also requested that Templar Sports, should it desire to expand square footage in the future, or move to a larger location, residents be given the opportunity to review its expansion instead of it being grandfathered in the existing business permit.
Weinstein would like that if that expansion were to occur, Templar Sports would be required to go through a CUP process with community input.
"... One of the main reasons I moved away from Oakland six years ago was specifically to protect my young children from gun violence ... as a parent, I monitor and control my children's exposure to television, Internet, you name it, to reduce their exposure to violent imagery."
In that vein, Weinstein asked the Council to also work on a policy to control the external facade of the Templar Sports location to remain free of any advertising and that the business not be allowed to have sandwich boards or other posters with any gun imagery outside the store.
"I'm urging a Council member to put the proper controls in place so that a store of this nature will not pop up overnight again," she wrote in an email to Los Gatos Patch.
Templar Sports is under the ownership and management of San Jose resident Robert Chang. Its product offerings will include firearms, fishing, hunting, and related outdoor equipment and apparel, Knowles said.
Several town residents contacted this publication in November expressing concern that the new shop would present safety and security issues to the surrounding neighborhood.
They said the shop's location is next to a main thoroughfare for kids, families and teens, across from a ballet studio, 100 yards from Oak Meadow Park and the main path for kids going to and from Fisher Middle School.
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This is what I say to you: "THEY ALL LIVED, and that is ALL THAT MATTERS TO PARENT. If that nut had used assault weapons they would ALL BE DEAD."
So many question Grasshopper. The right to protect yourself, or not, is yours. Just as a former FFL dealer stated (on one of the three article "discussions") he would not sell firearms to teachers. You can take what you want from that. I have a loaded 30rd AK47 magazine (it's a magazine, NOT a clip) in my AK right now. (I do rotate it with the other three so as to not de-stress the spring.) That and a 12g Remington shotgun are my home defense weapons. I'm not "so smart". Just not overemotional. I'm just fed up with the ridiculousness of telling people they have to give up their firearms, or firearm accessories, and the belief that they will willingly do so. Not going to happen.
a must read article on gun control: http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/17/world/world-newtown-shootings-gun-controls/index.html?iid=article_sidebar
"Jewish Nazi collaborators" Signed, the son of a VET that fought for your right to speak your mind. Semper Fi
As a resident of Los Gatos,I consider this issue important enough and would simply like to have the right to have a voice on the matter in the form of a vote. Consequently, I request the City Council, to give it equal regard and take all steps required to bring this within voteable preview. Not leave it saying, it is out of their hands.
In Switerland it is your duty as a citizen to have a gun. Until a couple of yrs ago you could not vote unless you were armed when you went to the poll. They also contain one of the lowest, if not the lowest crime rate on the planet. Btw, I am a Los Gatos Grandmother. Susan Silver
I think you should all read it. Note that I am pro gun per my right to bear arms along with being a former LG'en now living in a remote area. I am an independent. I think LG has gone to those with excess money, time on their hands and a lot of society types that enjoy nothing more than to get attention over what they feel strong about. I am all about striving for what you believe is important to you, but as far as I am concerned, there is obviously a need for this store as the attention has allowed them to sell quite a lot of stock, ( I did stop by on a recent visit "home" and discussed the attention with those working there). There are over 30 FFL gun dealers in the 95030 area code alone. So maybe it is just easier for the locals not to have to go into San Jose or Campbell....