PLEASANT HILL — The City Council on Monday amended a zoning ordinance to include restrictions on where gun stores may operate.
The distance requirements were drawn from the firearms ordinance the council approved in November, which requires a police permit for gun and ammunition dealers. Under that ordinance, gun stores can’t locate within 150 feet of a residence; within 500 feet of a park, another gun dealer, a massage parlor or an adult entertainment venue; or within 1,000 feet of a day care or school.
The 3-2 vote Monday mirrored the earlier split on the firearms ordinance — Mayor Tim Flaherty and Councilmen David Durant and Michael Harris supported the amendments. while Councilmen Ken Carlson and Jack Weir were opposed. Weir’s motion to place an item on a future agenda to repeal the firearms ordinance failed.
Existing firearms dealers are exempt from the location restrictions, but they must submit employees’ background information to the Pleasant Hill police. The sole dealer in the city with a home occupancy permit to sell guns from his residence can continue operating. Existing gun dealers have until Nov. 1 to comply with the new rules.
A September trial is scheduled to hear the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s lawsuit against the city. The suit alleges the firearms ordinance was improperly approved, duplicates or conflicts with existing law and violates the Constitution.
Lisa P. White covers Concord and Pleasant Hill. Contact her at 925-943-8011. Follow her at Twitter.com/lisa_p_white.
