Monterey City Council moves forward with an ordinance that limits where gun stores can operate.

The Monterey City Council moved forward with an ordinance on Tuesday, Nov. 4 that restricts where firearms businesses can operate within the city.

At the same time, it gave a three-year deadline for one business to move or close up shop if its owners couldn’t prove they needed more time to recoup their investment costs.

Earlier this year, when L&B Firearms applied for a permit to open a business at the corner of Ocean Avenue and Third Street, it was approved internally by city officials, as there were no policies in place restricting its existence.

Neighbors and other residents opposed the shop’s location to the council, resulting in an emergency ordinance that halted new licenses for firearms businesses until a permanent plan could be crafted.

In October, the Monterey Planning Commission recommended the council approve an ordinance that only allows firearms businesses to operate in areas zoned for industrial uses, which is near the Monterey Regional Airport and Ryan Ranch. Those businesses would require a public hearing before they are approved, and must be at least 600 feet away from a school, residential zone, liquor store, park or other specific uses.

Five people spoke during public comment during the Nov. 4 council meeting, all opposed to the ordinance.

L&B Firearms co-owner Rebecca Sumners said the shop, which is not yet operational, is focused on safely operating its business. She said its location is ideal, partly because it is near multiple different law enforcement agencies that could respond to any issues that arise.

“I don’t think the I-R [Industrial] district is the best place for us,” she said. “It puts us on a highway, it puts us near no law enforcement help if we do get in any safety issues, but I don’t foresee any.”

Under the ordinance, L&B Firearms would have three years before they needed to move out from their current neighborhood commercial zoning area. However, they can apply to the Planning Commission within 10 days after the ordinance’s adoption to request more time to recoup their costs in opening the business.

Councilmember Ed Smith, noting that L&B Firearms followed all the proper city procedures at the time it applied, proposed giving the business a five-year deadline. But after discussion among the councilmembers and City Attorney Christine Davi, the motion died due to a lack of a second.

A motion by Mayor Tyller Willamson to approve the ordinance as-is passed 4-1, with Smith dissenting.

“This isn’t an attack on any one business,” Williamson said. “Having a gun store in the middle of a beautiful residential community in the center of our town, it doesn’t feel like it’s the right location. It’s unfortunate that this business ended up in the crosshairs of this political discussion.”