Newton Gun Ban Proposal Gets Thumbs Down From Committee

NEWTON, MA — The Newton City Council's Zoning and Planning committee voted Monday against recommending a ban on gun shops in the city.

The proposed ban will be brought to the full City Council for a vote on July 12. All but one voted against recommending a ban to the full council, citing concern about a constitutional challenge, should the city move forward with a ban. Besides, they said, the new zoning rules approved June 2will make it nearly impossible for a shop to open here, anyway.

A number of experts said they agreed with this assessment during the public hearing. Previously, the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence asked the council not to ban shops entirely, Newton City Council President Susan Albright said. The center said it was concerned a ban challenge could end up in a Supreme Court.

Heather Tausig of the Newton Gun Violence Prevention Collaborative said a ban wouldn't add anything to the ordinance.

Ned Notis-McConarty of the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence said Newton should stop while it was ahead.

"This ban fails the cost-benefit test," agreed Janet Goldenberg of the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence during the hearing. She said officials need to consider possible unintended consequences that could come with of passing such a ban. "While a ban might have an emotional appeal, it's a bad idea. It creates the potential for the Supreme Court to overturn not just this ban, but restrictive zoning on gun shops."

Previously: Newton Residents Push For Strong Regulations At Gun Shops ...

• Newton Gun Store Regulation Proposal At Standstill

• Residents Protest Gun Store Set To Come To Newton
• Newton Issues Stop-Work Order To Planned Gun Store
• Owner Of Proposed Gun Store Applied In January ...

The restrictive zoning ordinance approved by the City Council On June 2 the city council passed a restrictive zoning ordinance that's set to restrict firearm businesses to three specific districts that include The Street in Chestnut Hill, and part of Rumford Avenue and North street near Waltham.

The zoning, which would require a special permit, also requires a 150-foot buffer from homes, a 1,000-foot buffer from schools, religious uses, parks, libraries, hospitals and nursing facilities.

Some residents said the restrictions don't go far enough.

Read more: Proposed Newton Gun Shop Won't Open On Washington St ...

Watch the June 21 public hearing here:

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or newton@Patch.com. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.