Local

Fayette County Residents File Lawsuit Over Proposed Gun Club

April 5th, 2012

(B27) A handgun is displayed at Colosimo’s Gun Center in Philadelphia, Thursday, June 26, 2008. The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Americans have a constitutional right to keep guns in their homes for self-defense, the justices’ first major pronouncement on gun control in U.S. history. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

A group of homeowners in Fayette County is suing to stop a gun shop and shooting range from moving into the neighborhood.

A group of residents in the city of Tyrone say the South Atlanta Gun Club would be located too close to their homes, which they fear could hurt property values and harm the environment. Residents also say there were procedural issues in the zoning approval process that prevented them from speaking out.

Last month, city officials voted 3-2 to add gun clubs to the existing zoning rules. The change allows the gun club to move into a shopping center adjacent to a 350-home subdivision.

Tyrone Mayor Eric Dial, who voted for the zoning change, says the city did much research and residents had ample time to voice their concerns.

“The point is about is this a legal use of this property, and the answer to that question is yes,” Dial said.

City Councilwoman Linda Howard says there’s no evidence gun clubs have a negative impact on surrounding communities.

“If anything, I think it would maybe keep criminals away because they know that there is trained people here that know what they’re doing with weapons and I think that they’d know better than to come,” Howard said.

The attorney for the homeowners who filed the lawsuit did not return interview requests by deadline.