ARLINGTON, Va. 鈥� Lyon Park鈥檚 newest gun shop Nova Park Armory was crammed with customers and supporters within the first few hours of its opening Saturday. 聽They squeezed their way through the store wearing bright orange stickers that said 鈥済uns save lives.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 packed,鈥� owner Dennis Pratte said, with a chuckle. 鈥淭his is great. The turnout has been fabulous. It was more than we expected.鈥�
Nova Park Armory鈥檚 opening on Saturday 聽is the latest development in a string of clashes between shop owners .聽Nova Park Armory聽is located on North Pershing Drive, across the street from a daycare and near an elementary school.聽An online petition to stop the business from setting up in the Arlington neighborhood was started shortly after plans for the shop became public.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not that we don鈥檛 agree with the Second Amendment,鈥� Celia Slater of Act4LyonPark, a neighborhood group opposed to the new firearm shop. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just that we don鈥檛 think that a neighborhood should have a neighbor that is selling something like this.鈥�
On Saturday, Slater, several Arlington politicians and neighbors gathered at a park down the street from the gun store to rally against its opening.聽A few Arlington County police officers were posted at the gun shop and at the park as a precaution.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an issue of feeling secure,鈥� Virginia Del. Alfonso Lopez said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an issue of feeling safe. It鈥檚 also a financial issue, in terms of the value of homes and the idea that your property values may go down.鈥�
Back at the gun shop,聽Prince William County Delegate Rich Anderson was among the politicians who made the trip to show support.
鈥淚 came out because I had read all the publicity about the opening and decided I wanted to come up,鈥� Anderson said.
He said that he has been聽considering聽buying聽a handgun for personal protection but said he did not plan to buy聽one at the grand opening.
Along with other politicians, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce took part in the ribbon cutting ceremony, speaking highly of the newest retail outlet in the county.
Nova Armory’s owner says the shop聽is just supplying a demand.
鈥淭he Second Amendment is not just about hunting. It鈥檚 about personal protection, self-preservation,” Pratte said. “We provide a needed service to people who take that seriously.鈥�
And although Nova Armory just opened, Pratte is already looking at his next possible location.
鈥淲e鈥檇 like to open a place in D.C.,鈥� said Pratte. 鈥淚f there鈥檚 any landlords that want to give it shot, give me a call.鈥�
