A gun store in Goleta, California, is scheduled to open a new location next to a daycare center on September 5, despite opposition from local residents. The business, Goodland Guns, announced in July that it was moving into a building adjacent to the Here We Grow Early Learning Center. Residents have organized rallies and launched a petition to oppose the move, citing concerns about the proximity of a firearms retailer to a high-density, family-oriented neighborhood and an elementary school.
The store's owner, Dan Ashton, stated that the relocation was necessary after he was required to vacate his previous location in Old Town Goleta, where he had operated for 11 years. Ashton reported that his former landlord sought to raise the rent beyond what he could afford, and that finding a new commercial space took three years. He noted that commercial and industrial spaces are scarce due to regional business shifts and strict state requirements for firearms retailers.
On August 3, community members and city officials met in a parking lot near the daycare to discuss the situation. Ashton told reporters he intends to be a good neighbor and has implemented solutions in response to resident input, though he did not specify the measures. Meanwhile, Goleta City Manager Robert Nisbet said the city is exploring options to change zoning laws or ordinances that could restrict where gun stores are allowed to operate in the future.
The scale of the conflict involves the potential regulation of specialized retail in a city experiencing rapid growth and high commercial rents. While California law caps annual commercial rent increases at 10%, Ashton indicated that landlords have found ways to circumvent these protections, impacting small business owners. Residents will notice the presence of the store starting in September, while the City Council's deliberations could eventually lead to new restrictions on firearms businesses across the entire municipality.
The long-term effects could include changes to the Goleta City Code regarding where firearm retailers may locate. However, City Manager Nisbet noted that any new zoning changes would likely not apply retroactively to Goodland Guns. The Goleta City Council is scheduled to discuss the store's location and zoning issues at its meeting on September 1. This session will determine whether the city moves forward with formal policy changes that would set a precedent for future commercial development in family-oriented districts.
The daycare has not yet provided a statement regarding the situation. The gun store's grand opening remains set for September 5, and the city’s next official step is the council meeting scheduled for four days prior. Residents continue to collect signatures on an online petition to express their opposition to the business's proximity to educational facilities.