Second gun store to open in San Carlos, citizens concerned

SAN CARLOS, Calif. (KTVU) - A group of concerned citizens has launched a public campaign against the planned opening of a second gun store in the city of San Carlos.  The store, Turner’s Outdoorsman, plans to open this month near Best Buy on Industrial Road.  

The only gun store currently in San Carlos is “Imbert and Smithers” on El Camino Real, which has been at that location for almost 50 years.  Last year the store was robbed by thieves who used a vehicle to smash the storefront and to steal weapons.  It was part of a rash of such robberies last year in the Bay Area.

Longtime resident and Episcopal Reverend Alan Gates said he felt blindsided when he walked by the Turner’s storefront a couple of weeks ago and saw that a second gun store in town was about to open its doors.

“I basically had an emotional reaction,” Gates said.  “Following the shooting in Las Vegas I just decided I didn’t want any more guns in San Carlos, I certainly didn’t want to see another gun store in San Carlos.”

Aspen Moulden is a San Carlos mother who expressed concern about another gun store in town possibly attracting more crime.

“They will have hundreds of guns and the potential is higher for something to happen,” Moulden said.

Reverend Gates and others are asking the San Carlos City Council to impose a 45-day moratorium on Turner’s Outdoorsman, which could be extended by two years.

Turner’s, which is based in Southern California, told the “Daily Journal” that it’s a “heavily regulated” business that wants to do business in San Carlos.

The San Carlos City Council is scheduled to discuss the moratorium at its meeting Monday night.