Philly Gun Range Owner Hoping To Sell Firearms; Community Opposes
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The owner of a gun range in the Spring Garden section of Philadelphia is seeking the city's permission to be re-zoned so it can sell firearms, but residents and community groups want to stop him.
Located in the 500 Block of North Percy, the Gun Range is located across the street from a Buddhist Temple, a few hundred feet from St. Paul's Baptist Church. And it's near numerous residential properties. To top it off, it's located just around the corner from Colosimo's, a gun shop shuttered six years ago after feds linked it to illegal straw purchases.
"Just like the gun shop that was there before, it would devastate the community," says Brian Miller, executive director of Heeding God's Call.
He organized the dozens of residents and civic groups that attended a zoning board meeting on Wednesday. Their goal -- block range owner Yuri Zalzman's application to be zoned a "gun shop."
Currently, Zalzman, a federally licensed dealer, told the board he leases guns, sells ammo and targets, and allows customers to pay to shoot. Now, he also wants to sell firearms. His lawyer told the board his current variance grants permission, arguing a "shooting range" falls within the scope of the definition of "gun shop" laid out in the zoning code.
"A gun shop is an absolute expansion of what is happening there," says Joseph Beller, who represents the residents and more than a dozen civic organizations that seek to block the zoning application. "They don't want people being able to come into the neighborhood buy guns and do God knows what."
Shira Goodman runs Ceasefire Pennsylvania. She, like the dozens of others, including Pa. Rep Curtis Thomas, wore sticker badges that read, "no new gunshop." Goodman says she's supporting the residents of the Spring Garden area because she recalls the impact Colosimo's had on the community:
"We don't know how this gun store would be and the neighbors don't want to take that risk."
Zalzman testified that he is experienced, has a federal license and has put in numerous security measures to ensure the safety of his gun range. Neither he nor his attorney would comment on tape.
The parties are expected to submit briefs in the coming weeks.
