Laserfiche WebLink
firearms and a governmental subdivision is an entity described in Sections <br />471.633 and 471.634. <br />Under 471.635, Falcon Heights is authorized to regulate the location of gun shops by <br />"reasonable, nondiscriminatory and nonarbitrary zoning ordinances." <br />Neighboring city. <br />The City of St. Paul began to actively consider the location of stores that sell firearms <br />when the St. Paul Firearms Store opened in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood in <br />1993. The location of the firearms store, which is near a neighborhood park and <br />several residences, raised concerns by neighbors. The city council is currently <br />considering an ordinance that restricts new gun shops and shooting galleries to an <br />industrial zone (I - 1) and requires them to be 1,000 feet from any residentially zoned <br />property or protected uses (parks, day-care centers, schools and churches) (see <br />attachment 1). The distance requirements are based upon the philosophy that <br />firearms stores are not well suited for residential neighborhoods. This proposed <br />ordinance would effectively make almost all commercial firearms stores in the city <br />non-conforming uses. This means the stores can continue to operate until they <br />officially close their doors for a specific period of time as defined by city ordinance. <br />Considerations <br />When Falcon Heights considers how to zone for stores that sell firearms, two aspects <br />of the ordinance must be considered. <br />Definitions. First, it is important to define a store that sells firearms by defining a <br />firearm and a firearms store. The definition of a firearms store can include all stores <br />that deal in any type of firearms or it can exclude stores that sell sporting goods with <br />firearms as an accessory use. The accessory use aspect would require defining what <br />constitutes an accessory use, typically by percentage of floor space or percentage of <br />sales. <br />Location. Second, it is necessary to determine an appropriate location for a store that <br />sells firearms within the city's commercial business districts. Three alternative <br />approaches are available. <br />1. Permit the use in any of the city's business districts either as a permitted <br />or conditional use. <br />2. Not include stores that sell firearms as a use in the city's commercial <br />business districts. (This approach will require additional supporting <br />material.) <br />• , <br />