Dear Friends and Neighbors

I hope the following information is helpful in understanding the proposed Firearms Business zoning bylaw.

Sudbury’s Zoning Bylaws do not currently have a separate use for Firearms Businesses. Under today’s zoning, firearms businesses applying to operate in Town would be classified as a retail store, light manufacturing, manufacturing, or some combination, depending on how the business operates. These shops would likely apply “by right” for a use permitted within a particular zone, and not be subject to any special review or standards, with little legal justification to deny their operation.

Today, depending on the specific business operation, a firearms business would be legally allowed in four to seven (4-7) of Sudbury’s ten zoning districts. Adoption of the proposed Bylaw would create a new use, Firearm Business, and restrict that use to only one zoning district of the ten, the Industrial District, by special permit granted by the Select Board. Special permits require a public hearing and empower the permitting authority with greater ability to impose conditions, safeguards, and/or limitations on the time or use of a site.

This bylaw would limit two Firearm Businesses to locate in Sudbury at any given time. The bylaw conforms with similar bylaws approved in nearby communities, follows a template created by the Gifford Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, and includes regulations on best business practices and security to maintain safety for the general public.

Regarding the debate around this topic, I have included below my records that respond to the FOIA request by Sudbury resident Jack Ryan that I received on December 6 and responded to on December 15 – information I’m happy to provide, and would have shared through a simple friendly request. I share this information publicly because there has been much controversy and much misinformation around this topic, and I am proud of all the inquiries and due diligence I have performed. I am happy to share what I’ve learned.

What’s interesting and can be seen in the attached documents is that every reputable gun control organization I’ve been in contact with – and I’ve tried to contact every reputable one around – supports firearm shop regulation through special permit zoning. No reputable group that I’ve found supports a full ban, for practical, legal, and financial reasons, as these documents show.

The proposed firearms business zoning bylaw under consideration by the Select Board follows s

Hope this helps,
Charlie