The Glendale Planning Commission allowed a north Glendale gun salesman to have customers visit his home to buy firearms. Gabbert’s Gun Shop, northwest of 55th and Grovers avenues, is about 1,500 feet west of Deer Valley High School and Desert Sky Middle School.

Andrew Gabbert is licensed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to sell firearms and ammunitions and has a Glendale business license but has not been allowed to have customers visit his home to buy his products. He’s had to ship the purchased firearms to customers at his own cost since starting the business in March. This month, the planning commission approved a conditional use permit for Mr. Gabbert to have customers visit his in-home business.

Three residents contacted the commission in support of Mr. Gabbert’s request to have customers visit his home to buy guns and ammo and seven spoke out against the request. Planning staff stated residents opposed to the CUP were “very concerned about the sale of firearms and/or ammunition in a residential neighborhood and being located in close proximity to the Deer Valley High School and Desert Sky Middle School, stating the use would bring unwanted traffic, would create an unsafe environment for children, and would be harmful for the neighborhood.”

To address these concerns, Mr. Gabbert said he will provide every customer with a gun lock and fliers about the Gun-Free Schools Act and the Youth Handgun Safety Act.

“That goes above the minimum ATF requirements,” Mr. Gabbert said.

Commissioner Martin Nowakowski asked Mr. Gabbert if he would consent to the commission adding a stipulation that would legally hold him to those promises to provide customers with a gun lock and the gun safety fliers upon purchase of a gun, to which Mr. Gabbert agreed. However, no such stipulation was ever raised before the commission voted, unanimously approving the CUP.

Regarding residents’ concern about guns being sold in the neighborhood, Mr. Gabbert noted he is not the only federally licensed gun seller in the neighborhood, and that he’s exceeded ATF minimum requirements for security, “including security doors, motion lights, a gun safe and cameras.” Customers visiting his home business must also complete ATF form 4473 and pass an FBI background check before taking possession of a firearm.

Some residents were concerned about traffic added to the neighborhood, but Mr. Gabbert said he’s averaged about four customers per week since starting the business in March, and a stipulation on the CUP states only one customer vehicle can be on his property at a time. Gabbert’s Gun Shop’s hours will be 2-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday-Sunday, by appointment only.