Seaside discusses Gun Shop Ordinance
The Seaside city council heard a presentation on an updated ordinance restricting where firearms can be sold in the city. The council had previously passed an ordinance on May 1st that prohibited the sale of firearms in the West Broadway Urban Village and motioned for more restrictions around the city.
The new ordinance presented to the council puts new restrictions on both the location and security measures needed to operate in the city. Security measures being required include physical barriers for windows, safe storage and display requirements, video surveillance systems, and annual business licenses that will be renewed through a yearly inspection from the police chief.
As for the location, firearm sales will only be allowed west of Noche Buena Street, which is closer to police resources and further from sensitive locations like schools and parks. City officials say the proposed area has no schools and only one public park. Despite this, council motioned for city staff to add a provision to the ordinance that would ensure the shops are a certain distance away from these sensitive locations. Numbers were floated from 100 feet away to more than a thousand.
The ordinance is now set to go before the public safety commission on June 18th, and it could be months before it heads back to the council for final approval.
