Don’t dust off those ammunition belts quite yet. The Juneau chapter of Veterans for Peace has appealed a permit for Juneau Mercantile and Armory LLC to build an indoor gun range and retail shop near the airport.
“We were concerned about the idea of a shooting range in which people were going to be allowed to handle weapons of war,” Phil Smith, president of the Juneau Chapter of Veterans for Peace, said. Smith is referring to the Armory’s plans to rent automatic firearms for supervised use on site. “The idea of stuffing an arsenal of these things five minutes from the airport raised our concerns. Many of us are combat veterans and we know exactly what these weapons can do. They are not toys.”
Smith submitted an appeal on Jan. 2. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly is scheduled to decide whether or not to accept the appeal at its meeting today.
The proposed 13,000-square-foot Mercantile and Armory would house a 10-lane indoor gun range below ground level and a retail space on the first floor on the corner of Yandukin Drive, Crest Street and Airport Boulevard. If built the range would be encased in concrete and insulated for sound.
Dan Miller, Jason Tarver and Sloan Swendsen incorporated the Armory on Aug. 13, 2012.
The owners could not be reached in time for this story. However, during testimony before the planning commission Swendsen commented on safety.
“Our goal is to provide a safe facility,” Swendsen said, “To educate the youth and their parents.”
The commission approved Conditional Use Permit 20120016 on Dec. 11, 2012.
Smith said he was surprised when the City and Borough of Juneau Planning Commission approved the permit. He said he had assumed the process would take longer and that there would be more discussion of health and safety.
“We thought the record was very, very thin to make a decision of that importance,” Smith said.
Smith said Veterans for Peace is not anti-gun.
“We are not trying to repeal the 2nd amendment,” Smith said. “We are concerned about that type of weaponry being in a populated area. And we think the assembly should take a look at it.”
• Contact reporter Russell Stigall at 523-2276 or at russell.stigall@juneauempire.com.
Comments (58)
Add commentFrom one veteran...
.... to another. You know dang well that an M-16 or AK-47 being fired from a hole in the ground poses no more risk to Juneau Airport than if it were fired from Barrow.
Someone has been watching too many movies.
Practice makes...
Perhaps some future soldiers will get to practice so they may become veterans. Everyone is not a sportsman.
asherlev
Last I checked (and it's been a few years) the so-called "Veteran's for Peace" was not headed by a veteran; not aware who this new guy is though.
Nice to see they're expanding, used to be that this idiotic group was simply anti-Republican and protested the "Bush" wars. As soon as Obama became president we no longer saw them in the schools protesting against recruiters nor did we see the street-side sign waving.
Google Search...
I did a quick Google Search. Looks like just a couple of guys with one too many beers and too much free time on their hands. I didn't see any real community activity or membership. Just the occassional "Me too!" approach to things.
PETA
Why is this fringe group being given the time of day? PETA is more mainsteam than this out-of-the-woodwork fringe group.
Gun range
Let's see Mr Smith's DD214
mis-use of the Appeal process
I hope the Assembly dismisses this appeal with prejudice. Not a zoning issue, not a aesthetic issue, not a code issue, not a legal issue, it is just political grandstanding by Phil.
Oh, if I get to handle a
Oh, if I get to handle a "Weapon of War" I will feel a surge of adrenaline and so imbued with POWER I will go on a rampage and shoot up the airport? That is what Phil is implying! So since I regularly shoot a "Weapon of War" I must be a delusional psychopath. Who knew that my 45-70, 30-06, and 45 ACP were so sinisterly powerful?!?!
Or perhaps it will merely be
Or perhaps it will merely be an indoor shooting range that will teach gun safety and respect, allow shooters to practice out of the rain, and for those willing to pony up the cash, they can rent and shoot an automatic weapon. Do you really think every citizen will be down there trying out an Uzi? When was the last time you priced ammo, Phil? Once you pay to rent the thing (probably not a cheap activity) then you get the opportunity to blow through $50 of ammo in one trigger pull.
I love...
how every last one of you would line up to be boot-licking flag wavers. Until, of course, one of those verterans says something you don't agree with. Then it's back to your typical, vile, hate-filled spewing.
Asherlev13
Here you go
www.veteransforpeace.org
Educate yourself.
A mission statement on a
A mission statement on a website doesnt over ride what has been exhibited in our community, Roy.
Ponder this,
If the land is zoned for it, and it has already been approved? Then any latecomer, with a poor reason to not want said legal business, has no standing and should not be allowed to appeal. If the city backs down, that would constitute a taking of a right to operate under existing law! Leaving the land owner the right to sue for damages!
Whats the rush? I think we
Whats the rush?
The public should have more time to look at the issues here. I thank the veterans group for bringing the lack of discussion to everyone's attention.
ab,
Just because one dosn't like something, that does NOT create standing. The reason must be compelling and legal, and must effect the petioner personally.
I think whats important here
I think whats important here is keeping the integrity of the democratic process at CBJ alive.
CBJ and the assembly have not been allowing public discussion or throughly reviewing things that will have a huge impact on the public's well-being.
Not that I'm looking to join,
but has Veterans For Peace changed their rules so that one has to actually be a veteran to join? Last time I looked at their website, the only qualification needed was a willingness to pay the entry dues. Based on that, I will disagree with the headline. The American Legion, VFW, Order of the Purple Heart are veterans organizations. VFP is an anti-military organization.
Abotney, that is why they
Abotney, that is why they shouldnt allow a special interest group to derail a project after all the democratic process has already happened and ground has been broke.
Appeal is part of the
Appeal is part of the democratic process. Mr. Smith brought up legitimate concerns about the project that were not addressed by the planning commission.
We should all be concerned about what sort of weaponry people are using in a populated area.
VFP is far left?
What? Since when is Ron Paul (VFP's presidential choice) far left?
Since protesting the use of military force indicates an opposition to conservatism in America, does that mean conservatives in America align more with Iranian officials or Ex-Libyan President, Gadhafi? Cuz that's what this message board is suggesting.
Rough cut, the VFP is no longer protesting the Iraq war because the Iraq war ended in 2011. They did protest up until then, however. They are still protesting the use of drones, and they protested military force in Libya. They aren't radical leftwing unless you think anyone who supports military force is radical rightwing.
The VFP is pro Ron Paul. I believe many on here condemning this group are pro Ron Paul. Or is Ron Paul a radical leftwing because he condemns our military force?
Not that any of this condemnation matters. The issue is still whether you agree the permitting process was handled properly. Apparently many Juneau residents don't agree. Since the co-owner of the proposed gun range happens to be on the planning commission board, I would suggest letting this all play out. It would do no good for the proposed gun range if some residents felt something fishy went on.
silverwings, look at their website. It specifically states that in order to be a member you must be a veteran. You can be a friend or family member of a veteran and join as an associate member.
I took your advice cheeesypoof,
and it reads just like you said. If you click on join, you go to a screen with 4 choices: Veteran, new or renew; Non-Veteran, new or renew. Either of those is a minimum of $40. However, I do see that if you are either Active Duty or Incarcerated it's free. (Incarcerated, really?) So, sticking by my original post. Including the part about not joining.
Here we go...
I'd much rather have an indoor range with fewer limitations than the Gun Club than have these guys out shooting up the signs up the road. Even when I'm out backpacking people are shooting up the trail markers. People are going to own guns (and when you take them away, only criminals will have them..) so lets at least allow a PRIVATE business the opportunity to cater to them.
All this will do is rile up the Tea Partiers here in Juneau. Less government intervention & involvement, more personal responsibility.
Again, lets allow the "boys" to play in a controlled environment, rather than shooting up our trees/road signs/trail markers outside.
Its like free speech - to
Its like free speech - to have it you have to allow all of it, even though, you may not like all of it.
We, the Public, must hold CBJ, the planning commission, the assembly accountable to the democratic public processes or the public will lose their voice, their right to be heard.
You never know but you might want to appeal something in the future.
Veteran...
This is an assault on Amendment 2. The Right to Bare Arms doesn't allow for you to decide when I am or am not allowed to bare arms.
I'm also a veteran. This is directly against your oath.
Maybe we could amend Amendment 2 to read, "Unless Veterans for Peace disagrees with when/where/who is allowed to enjoy the benefit of Amendment 2".
arent these the guys............
Who march in the fourth of July parade carrying pink flamingos on sticks? "......dont ask dont tell? Just wondering .... I dont ever see them or hear from them until they parade their little birdies on July 4th. What is their advocacy plan? Target demographic? Real life cause?
"Veterans for Peace" seems an oxymoron. Any true, courageous veteran is loyal to the cause. This back alley protest of the indoor gun range seems to have no real reason for it.... I'd much rather have a controlled venue for people to learn gun safety and safe operation than for people to be stockpiling at home without any sort of training. Does Veterans for Peace contend that prohibiting this facility will have any real impact on community safety? Will prohibition of the facility help the community members learn about proper operation and storage of weapons? Isnt that the real issue here? Most of the recent crimes were commited by people who took possession of legally purchased weapons. We need to increase awareness and training on not only proper operation but also diligent and proper storage. Increased efficacy and diligence in storage and limited access to home stored weapons is a much bigger issue than prohibiting legal purchasers of weapons from having access to a training facility. This facility, in my opinion, will meet that community need. If not them, then who? Really guys, think smarter !!! How does prohibition help us reach our goal?
REALLY!!!!
I STRONGLY disagree!!!
I am a veteran. I am pro Ron Paul. Not in a MILLION years would Ron Paul stand against ANYTHING constitutional. What you are doing IS outright against Amendment 2 as well as free markets, which he supports!
It's nuts like some of the Ron Paul supporters, maybe some who posted above, that make him look bad. He stands for the Constitution, plain and simple. Example, he is personally against abortion, but he voted against anti-abortion legislation as the legislation on its face is unconstitutional without a constitutional amendment. It is a grey area under Amendment 10. So, he votes against the unconstitutional legislation but constantly tried to amend the Constitution to define "life". He didn't try to backdoor it. He tried to follow the LAW!
Now, what you are doing is going against what Ron Paul stands for, trying to stand against what you personally believe is wrong, shafting the Constitution while standing up against the very oath you took to protect. AND YOU GUYS HAVE THE GALL TO SAY YOU ARE RON PAUL SUPPORTERS!!!??? NO, I DON'T THINK SO!
I'll probably get censored
I'll probably get censored again for stating the truth but these Veterans for Peace are nothing more than washed-up SDS mind-sets parading around under a new name.
They're all about "democracy"!!
Man, is there something in the water? Winter boredom? What is it with all these leftist, fringe groups popping up in town?
Abnotey....
I did check the website before I posted my initial post. But I didn't ask about the national organization. I asked about this local orgnization. And I still haven't seen anything other than a "me too, teacher!" approach.
Sorry... Still not buying. I'm new in Juneau, but your fellow posters have done a GREAT job of educating me on the track record of this gentleman.
cry and cry...
buncha toddlers playing with toys and whining when they can't play in certain areas...
to clarify
I was not talking about the VFP, i was referring to the toddlers that can't play with their toys near the airport.