by Joseph P. Tartaro | Executive Editor
There’s all kinds of pressure being applied against the firearms industry at all levels these days, from taxes and fees for customers to limitations on the number of licensed firearms retailers permitted in a locality. Seattle’s gun and ammo tax scheme is not new, just the latest of its kind, and it is being challenged in court. Limits on firearms retailers through zoning schemes aren’t new either, but both attacks on retailers and consumers are easily launched by local governments.
After more than two hours of hearing from area residents for and against regulating gun shops in Scotts Valley, CA, the City Council voted unanimously to approve an ordinance requiring further security measures—including burglary alarm and video surveillance systems—from current and future gun retailers, and imposed a 45-day moratorium on allowing any new firearms retailers to open their doors.
According to the Santa Cruz Sentinel, part of the ordinance required gun shop owners to obtain a firearms license from the city and pay a one-time $100 fee.
“What we’re not worried about is the gun shop owners. They’re good,” Chief of Police John Weiss said, according to the newspaper. “What we’re worried about is burglaries. The bad guys getting in.”
Scotts Valley Mayor Dene Bustichi, who is the landlord for one gun retailer, recused himself from the vote. Councilwoman Donna Lind, a retired police officer, was absent.
Though some gun shop owners agreed with the further regulation as a safety precaution, they did not agree with the additional fee.
Bustichi, who made it clear he is a member of the National Rifle Association, said he wanted the community and city personnel to have time to craft and research the proposed new law.
The gun shop issue drew a large crowd to the meeting, with more than 60 residents jammed into the council chamber. When the council invited the public to comment on the issues, more than 25 people spoke.
The issue was first brought by the Police Department after some residents and officers noticed a high number of gun stores in the city in recent years, reportedly because neighboring communities have barred new gun retailers. The original ordinance called for future gun stores to not be within a certain distance of schools, apply for an additional firearms license with the city and have additional security measures not mandated by either state or federal laws. The four current gun stores in Scotts Valley would have been grandfathered and not subject to the ordinance.
But council members rejected the ordinance, asking the Police Department to seek input from local gun stores to craft the new ordinance.
News Briefs
Due to rapid business growth, Delta Defense, LLC has announced plans to build a new national headquarters.
The company is currently headquartered in downtown West Bend, WI, and is slated to outgrow their current space within the next 18 months. Thus the plan to build a new 65,000-square-foot headquarters to accommodate the growth.
Delta Defense is currently in discussions with the West Bend City Planning Commission regarding location and their decision will be contingent upon potential incentives available from the city, county and state.
Currently the company occupies a total of 30,000 sq. feet between two locations within Washington County.
Delta Defense relocated to West Bend after remodeling the former Museum of Wisconsin Art building in November of 2013—and since then has grown tremendously. The company reports annual sales growth at over 45% and touts an over 60% increase in their employee base in just the past two years.
President and CEO Tim Schmidt, who founded the company in 2004, calls this “an exciting time” for him, his employees, and the concealed carry community.
On Aug. 25, FNH USA announced the grand opening of the company’s first-ever factory store to be located in Columbia, SC. The FNH USA Pro Shop celebrated its opening on Labor Day weekend with a fully-stocked show room of FN rifles, pistols, shotguns, accessories and branded merchandise and will also facilitate Individual Officer Purchases for law enforcement, military and first responders.
HiViz® sponsors advanced LE training in Wyoming
HiViz® Shooting Systems, in conjunction with the Laramie Police Department and DCI hosted a five-day Advanced Law Enforcement Training Seminar culminating in late August at the Cheyenne Police Department Range. The event, initiated in 2014 by HiViz, and financially supported by the State of Wyoming through endorsement and support from Gov. Matt Mead, gave officers from 25 different local departments and eight state agencies critical, life-saving training. Training included firearms and tactical training pertinent to all law enforcement officers needs and requirements including advanced pistol and carbine shooting drills, self-aid/buddy-aid techniques, courses on advanced technology, and demonstrations on ammunition ballistics and body armor. HiViz offered special thanks to Kel-Tec, Hornady Manufacturing, Ruger®, Vortex® Optics, MAGPUL, The Safariland Group, and RevMedX™ for providing product and specialized trainers. HiViz® Shooting Systems manufactures light-gathering fiber optic sights, tritium sights, recoil pads, and accessories for the shooting industry.
IMR recalls some 4007 SSC propellant
IMR Legendary Powders has announced a product safety warning and recall for IMR 4007 SSC propellants, on six lot numbers, according to Chris Hodgdon at Hodgdon Powders, which markets the IMR brand.
The lot numbers are 10130139, 10131139, 10429139, 10430139, 80425139 and 80426139. The lot number can be found on the rear label on the right edge.
According to the notice, IMR has received reports that this particular powder in 1-lb. and 8-lb. containers may have become unstable due to possible rapid deterioration. Use of this product from these lot numbers shown above may result in spontaneous combustion, fire damage or possible serious injury, the company said.
Here’s what to do: Stop using this product immediately! Fill the powder container with water which will render the product inert and safe for disposal.
Mail, email or fax a copy of the powder label showing the lot number to the contact information below to include your name, address, phone and email.
Replacement choice of any other IMR smokeless powder product will be shipped to you for no charge.
If you have loaded the powder subject to this recall into ammunition, we recommend that you pull the bullets, remove the powder and wet the powder with water for safe disposal.
IMR deeply regrets any inconvenience this may cause, but we believe in safety first.
Contact information: IMR Powder Company, 6430 Vista Drive, Shawnee, KS 66218, email help@imrpowder.com, imrpowder.com, call 1-800-622-4366 or 913-362-9455 and fax 913-362-1307.
