A new business opened its doors on Broad Street in Falls Church, Virginia, after its first location met with great success and protests.
When NOVA Firearms opened a location in McLean, Virginia, the move was met with protests. Opponents said while the location of the business was with the law, it was out of their comfort zone with a school nearby.
But owner James Gates said business was good enough that they needed to expand. He previously owned a gun shop in Falls Church and thought it would be a good choice for a second NOVA Firearms.
"We had a lot of our customers asking us to reach out down this way a little bit further so they don't have to sit in all the 495 traffic or the McLean traffic to get to our shop after work," said Gates.
News4’s Derrick Ward said there were no protests at the new location, even though there is a school in sight of this shop. Gates said he is aware that some may, nonetheless, find the firearms store too close for comfort, so he's asking a little something of his patrons.
"We're going to encourage all of our customers coming in to come in the side door, park in the back so there'd be limited visibility," Gates said.
Ward said there are still those with ideological opposition.
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"I think more guns (equals) more violence," said one woman. "There's no one person that's going to be the good guy and not shoot the wrong person."
Gates said part of his business mission is to help create responsible firearm owners armed with the proper safety and training.
"We are very heavily pushing training from basic all the way up to advanced," he said.
Much of his clientele are professionals, who appreciate what they see as a reputable inside-the-beltway location.
