Small Group Protests Gun Shop Opening

About 15 Los Gatos protesters gathered Saturday morning in front of 611 University Avenue, where Templar Sports is expected to open a gun shop sometime before the end of the year.

Three women organized the protest. "In response to what happened in Connecticut last week, we thought it was completely inappropriate," said Shannon, "and really not needed in our town anyway."

"We organized this because enough is enough," said Cindy, another organizer.

A representative of Templar Sports stood nearby talking to a group of about six men, and explained the store was about a week away from opening. The store is still waiting for inventory and computers before opening its doors.

"I've been a resident of Los Gatos for 50 years," said Rick Pfaff. "I bought my first gun here, I've been shooting since I was eight-years-old. It's a passion of mine, it's not driven by anything else," he told the men.

Pfaff told Patch he was not surprised by the small group of protesters. "I think they have the right to do whatever they want to do," he said. "We've got people here supporting it, and people opposed to it. That's the American dream, working right there."

"They can do it elsewhere," said Shannon. "Does it have to be within walking distance to an elementary and middle school?"

Daves Avenue Elementary School and Fisher Middle School are both approximately 0.8 mile from the Templar store.

The 2,400-square-foot location, near the intersection of University Avenue and Roberts Road, 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.