San Francisco Gun Shop Closing Its Doors Rather Than Change For New Regulations
Posted by jhingarat21 on 28th Oct 2015
Gun shop chooses to close its doors instead of abide by new San Francisco regulations.
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – (KTVU) – The San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed legislation that requires more regulation at gun stores.
But the last remaining gun shop is closing its doors at the end of October, saying it would rather close than follow the new rules.
The shelves are pretty much empty now at High Bridge Arms in the Outer Mission.
One customer came in to pick up a glock that was on order.
It will be among the final sales. San Francisco’s last remaining gun store is closing after 63 years in business.
“It’s tough. It’s saying goodbye to friends you won’t see for a long time or maybe never again,” said Steven Alcairo, the general manager of High Bridge Arms.
He says he doesn’t agree with the latest city regulation, which the Board of Supervisors passed today.
It requires all transactions be videotaped, and that gun stores report all ammunition sales to police electronically.
“To take it specifically and send the data to the police department when these customers haven’t done anything wrong, it doesn’t sit well with me,” said Alcairo.
Supervisor Mark Farrell is the author of the legislation that will at least for now, affect no businesses. He says it’s a response to the recent mass shootings such as in Oregon and Connecticut and the violence in the street.
“It has become left to local jurisdictions like the city of San Francisco to provide legislation and gun safety and protect citizens on our streets. If congress would act it would have a much more dramatic impact,” said Farrell.
He also says he’s not sorry the gun store is closing.
“If the last gun store closes because of my legislation so be it. I would much rather have a pre-school, a senior center or coffee shop in the neighborhood than a gun store,” said Farrell.
At one time there were six gun shops in San Francisco. But for the last 16 years, it’s just been High Bridge that survived.
One customer says he has mixed feelings about the store closing, and the legislation.
“You can still go across the Bay and buy a gun. You can buy a gun anywhere,” said San Francisco resident Chase Christie.
“I don’t think it will impact violence in the city. If I did, if I believed it in my bones, I would do it,” said Alcairo.
High Bridge had six employees. Some have found new jobs. Others are still looking.
The general manager says he doubts another gun shop will open in San Francisco any time soon.
