Salina, KS — City officials in Salina are working with federal authorities to determine how 10 residents received federal gun licenses without city approval.
Salina officials are pushing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to take away the licenses of 10 residents who they say are selling or repairing guns out of their homes without city approval.
Dean Andrew, Salina's planning and zoning administrator, told The Salina Journal that the city wants to have firearm dealers only in commercial locations.
Tabre Perez, who was trying to open a home-based Internet business selling guns, gave Andrew a list of 10 people in Salina who had Federal Firearm Licenses, similar to the one he was trying to receive.
To get the federal license, Perez needed the city permit, and his application was denied by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
"We were caught off guard by the list of people who have them," Andrew said. "It was our belief that if they didn't get a (city) permit, the ATF wouldn't issue a license."
He said the ATF's office in Kansas City is investigating to see if each person who has a federal firearm license also has a city permit.
Rita Womack, area supervisor for the ATF industry operations, said ATF issues federal licenses based on certain requirements.
"They must have no criminal violations and we require the applicant meet all local and state laws and regulations," Womack said.
Womack said she couldn't comment on the situation in Salina because she didn't have all the details.
Andrew said he has denied several permits and the city knows of only two people who had city permits for gunsmithing. He said he felt uncomfortable approving a permit for Perez because of a lack of regulation and safety concerns.
Salina attorney John Reynolds, a Saline County commissioner and gun enthusiast, said he believes the city has no right to take away the federal licenses.
"Most home-based dealers are special-order guys," said Reynolds, who does not have a federal license. "They don't have the firearms for more than a couple days. They are in the business to move material as quick as possible and keep turning a dollar."
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Boston_Corbett (anonymous) says…
I wonder if a certain basement in Wyandotte County is in compliance?
skinny (Richard Johnson) says…
The City of Salina Kansas can go pound sand. Anybody who passes a background check can obtain a federal firearms license and they do not need the City, County or States permission!
RoeDapple (anonymous) replies…
"we require the applicant meet all local and state laws and regulations"
sorry skinny, as much as I would like to agree with you, this says it all
davidmcg (anonymous) replies…
Skinny, you are in-correct. Depending on which type firearms license these individuals are seeking to obtain, they must certify by signature that they have notified and are in compliance with all local regulations. A copy of their permit application must be submitted to the local chief law enforcement officer. In the case of the jurisdiction of Salina it would be the Salina Police Chief and the Saline County Sheriff.
Please attempt to check your facts in the future. When anyone mis-states the facts of anything in regards to firearms it does not help the discussion.
tuschkahouma (anonymous) says…
wow, there are actually dumblicans in kansas that want the federal government
to protect their federal rights to sell guns..... shocking....aren't most of these
clowns against the government and fully in the state's rights' mode?
Oh, those feds and that president are really trying to take our guns...
been to gun shop lately where every gun made looks like a gun going
with a guardsman going to Afghanistan? let's see..... assault weapons
ban gone.... guns like crazy everywhere.. rushes on ammo.... any raids
on guns lately? noooooooooo.... but that president sure must be taking
our guns..... oh wait a minute... the sky is falling and the black silenced
helicopters are coming to get us..... better get your guns against another imagined
attack.... such is the intelligence of kansas.... observed by a gun owning
gun collecting anti NRA Democrat that doesn't fall for the politics and the
nonsense.....
srj (anonymous) says…
Do you take away these licences because the government made an error? Now if they lied on the application, that's one thing.
Obama has been good for the gun business. All the fear since he got elected about taking guns away has sent sales soaring, and he has said and done nothing about guns. Plus the courts have supported gun owners.
notwhatyouthink (anonymous) says…
What a crock. I guess if the city didn't know they were there and the neighbors didn't complain they really have no reason to regulate it. Are they going to crack down on everyone that sells MaryKay, Pampered Chef or those great Sugar and Spice sales. I'll bet there is a bunch of lawn care businesses without a license too.
vertigo (Jesse Crittenden) replies…
I was thinking the same thing... so anyone who does business via ebay have to run their business out of a building in a commercially zoned area?
Or the guy across the street who plows the snow out of your driveway for $5?
Or the little girl who makes friendship bracelets at home and sells them to friends?
Number_1_Grandma (anonymous) says…
Salina isn't business friendly either......
kansasmutt (anonymous) says…
From above "" The City of Salina Kansas can go pound sand. Anybody who passes a background check can obtain a federal firearms license and they do not need the City, County or States permission! "" This is very wrong. The law is as follows. You must notify the chief of police or leading law enforcement oficial in the direct area you intend to sell the firearms. A form is required to be signed by the oficial and returned to the ATF with your aplication. On another issue, those who sell online on Ebay and other ( as a home based business) sites are costing me and you millions in uncollected tax revenues. Most all cities have laws that cover home based businesses and the state has tax laws to collect tax from them, but only 2% pay the tax. I am in favor of going after ANY home based online business and pass a tax law to require them to pay a 15% tax on all online sales.These cheap operated , non tax paying home businesses screw the state out of millions in tax revenue every year and sell cheap crap that kills mom and pop brick and mortor stores. The customer gets screwed as well with cheap crap, outdated crap and no warranty.
skinny (Richard Johnson) replies…
That's what they said about Wal-Mart when they first started opening stores all over the U.S. (minus the tax issues)
I for one buy everything online. It is a heck of a lot cheaper and as you stated I don't have to pay sales tax. The only thing I don't buy online is groceries and gasoline!
You better get used to online business’s as that is the wave of the future! The brick and mortar stores are thinning out quickly!
Also, I’ve never had any issues with online stores returning defective and or broken items. If you buy name brand items and use a credit card you have nothing to worry about.
As far as taxing online business’s 15 percent. I think the government taxes everything already and we do not need any more new taxes. The governments needs to learn to make do with what they have like everyone else. This tax issue is getting way out of hand and the government better wake up or they’ll find we the citizens of the United States have about had it with tax this tax that raise that tax mentality!!
Plus, what I do in the confines of my own home is not any of yours or the governments business (within reason, like trying to make a living!) That God for our fourth amendment rights!!
vertigo (Jesse Crittenden) replies…
If you file a tax return with the state of Kansas you are supposed to list any purchases over the internet. Failure to do so is tax evasion.
repeal1968guncontrolact (anonymous) says…
Wow, you guys have some major marxists and government control freaks in Salina. Sheesh. Sounds like the SNITCH culture is alive and well also. Hitler would be proud. How bout we start to mind our own bid-ness again and keep our noses out of people's homes. Mmmmm?