A new gun store set to open next month in Arlington County, Virginia, is facing some opposition from area residents.
NOVA Armory characterizes their new store on Pershing Drive in Arlington as an outlet for sporting firearm and shotguns for trap or skeet shooting. They hope the weapons become family heirlooms, passed down through the generations.
However, some people in Lyon Park neighborhood, where the store will open, said it's just not the right fit for their community.
"It's not necessarily a business keeping with the values of the neighborhood," said resident Palak Shah. "A lot of retail, a lot of things that cater to families, restaurants, cleaners, schools, obviously, in the area"
Opposition to the store is not unanimous. While there's an online petition opposing the new store, there is also one in support of it.
The shop would be located in a newer strip of small businesses in a community with the proverbial white picket fences and well-manicured lawns. News 4’s Derrick Ward said residents told him there is usually a lot of notice and discussion before a new business or home addition is done in the neighborhood.
They said there was little word about Nova Armory opening up until last week.
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"Whether it's a sidewalk cafe or a yoga studio or music and we didn't hear a single thing," said resident Sasha Cohen.
In a written statement, NOVA Armory said theirs is a family oriented business, and the company owner writes that while he respects the opposition’s First Amendment right to protest, he hopes they respect their constitutionally protected Second Amendment right to bear arms.
Arlington County board members said the store has met all of the required licensing and zoning regulations to open. A meeting is planned by the Lyon Park Citizen Association for Sunday evening to discuss the issue, and members of the Arlington County board have been invited.
