TL/DR –
A man in Phoenix, Arizona, is planning to sell guns from his home, which has caused concern among his neighbors who fear it could be dangerous and negatively impact property values. The man has applied for two city permits, one to transform his home into a business and another to allow more traffic related to the new home business, and would also require approval from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to sell firearms from his residence. A petition against his plan has gathered around 75 signatures, with a public zoning adjustment hearing scheduled where residents plan to voice their concerns.
Concerns Over Home-Based Firearms Business in Phoenix Neighborhood
A Phoenix resident’s intentions to operate a firearms business from his home near 56th Street and Bell Road has sparked concerns among neighbors. “This is not about being anti-gun. We’re only against a business that could pose potential harm in a family-centric neighborhood,” said one of the neighbors who wishes to remain anonymous.
According to the concerned neighbor, the man failed to properly follow the city’s protocols for transforming a home into a business. She said, “If he’s unable to correctly fill out the application or place signage correctly, how can we trust that he will vet gun buyers appropriately?”
The homeowner applied for two city permits: one to convert his home into a business and the other to accommodate for the increased traffic associated with the business. Further approval from the ATF is required to sell firearms from home.
A city of Phoenix spokesperson stated, “A home occupation is permitted in a residential district subject to certain requirements such as size limitations, hours of operation, onsite parking, and no exterior display. An official approval from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is needed for the Federal Firearms License due to the home occupation generating traffic.”
Almost 75 individuals have signed a petition to stop this, fearing lower property values and increased traffic in the area, which is in proximity to local schools. The concerned neighbor revealed, “We went door-to-door yesterday and people were shocked that this was happening.”
Public efforts to reach out to the homeowner have been unsuccessful. Neighbors are planning to voice their concerns at a public zoning adjustment hearing scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Thursday.
This is not the first case of a controversy related to a home-based gun business in Phoenix. A few months back, a similar case emerged near 34th Street and Utopia Road, approximately four miles from the current location. While the homeowner’s business permit was approved, their traffic permit was denied by the city.
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