Maple Grove Council Approves New Gun Sales Permit
The Maple Grove City Council approved on April 17 a firearm sale permit for a new gun store.
The council voted unanimously to approve an interim use permit for Down Range Inc., at 16445 County Road 30.
The store is expected to open this spring.
It will be located in the Dunkirk Square shopping center at 93rd Avenue North and Dunkirk Lane.
Next door are Hobby Lobby, Dollar Tree, Sky Zone Trampoline Park, and Becker Furniture and Mattress.
The owners of the shop said they are prioritizing safety, security and customer service at the store.
“As you can see we’re pretty young so we’re really looking to bring kind of a new face to the firearms industry,” said owner Jared Liebesny.
The operation will feature a lounge with free beverages and firearm education, Liebensy said.
The store will be strictly retail in operation, and despite the name, will not have a shooting range.
Resident concerns
Maple Grove resident Terry Stech said was worried about a gun store moving in near family-oriented businesses.
“I am quite concerned because that particular shopping mall is filled with children and also with (the) elderly and the business is going in right in between a trampoline company where kids — lots of kids — go and play,” she said. “And right next door to that is a dollar store business, and a lot of elderly people go there.”
Stech spoke at the city council meeting on Monday night.
Council support
Councilmembers acknowledged that some residents have safety concerns related to the operation, but also noted that many residents are excited to have a new gun store in the city.
“I am happy to hear of the security measures that you’re taking,” said Councilmember Kristy Barnett.
The store will have security cameras, protective bollards and riot-proof glass to prevent break-ins and thefts, Liebensy said.
Some of the display guns in the store will have their firing pins shaved down, according to Liebensy.
As a result, no one could bring in loose ammo and fire the display guns, he said.
“I’ve had some outreach from residents with similar (safety) concerns,” said Councilmember Kristy Jaingo. “As a veteran I’m familiar with guns and myself hold a concealed carry permit. And I acknowledge the role of responsible gun owners in promoting safety and reducing gun deaths by suicide, accident or violence.”
Mayor Mark Steffenson said that any new business moving in at the site would have reapply for a gun sales permit.
“Then we get a chance to look at the actual business operation,” he said.
See also: Brooklyn Park Council Approves Site Plan for Gun Range
