'Gun sales consultant' seeks OK to run business in home

The Grand Rapids Press (via www.mlive.com) ^ | Friday, July 26, 2002 | Myron Kukla

[FourPeas]

'Gun sales consultant' seeks OK to run business in home

Friday, July 26, 2002By Myron Kukla
The Grand Rapids Press

HOLLAND -- Holland resident Thomas Volkema is seeking city approval to operate a home-based consulting business.

The sticking point: his consulting business involves the sale and distribution of firearms.

For years Volkema has operated his business, "Tom's Pistol Parlor," out of his home in a quiet residential neighborhood. Now he is seeking a home-business designation from the city so he can have his gun sales license renewed by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

But questions about the number of firearms Volkema would keep in his residence led the city's Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday to table his request.

Volkema told board members his home business would not involve possessing firearms at his residence; he would only make the weapons' sale arrangements there, then complete delivery by shipping away from his home.

But deputy city attorney Ken Breese said the ATF requires the transfer of guns occur at the address listed on the firearms license.

Volkema disagreed. "The Washington D.C. office has informed me there are alternatives to delivery at the premises and I can perform delivery away from (there)," Volkema said, noting his consulting business would involve working with attorneys and families to sell and transfer guns from the estates of deceased people.

But Cindy Osman, the city's Environmental Health director, said she had spoken to ATF officials in Grand Rapids who told her the firearms transfers must occur at the address on the license.

The ZBA plans to take up Volkema's request again on Aug. 22, giving him time to get a letter from ATF attorneys confirming that sales do not have to occur at the license address.

Tom's Pistol Parlor was one of a number of home gun-selling businesses that came under fire last spring for keeping firearms stocked in residential areas near schools. Volkema's Maple Avenue home is about three blocks from Washington Elementary School.

Volkema said he mothballed his business in February, and is waiting to receive a home occupation business license from the city before reopening it.

None of Volkema's neighbors attended Thursday's meeting, but ZBA chairman Marvin Martin noted Volkema had not listed "gun sales consultant" on his application for the business license.

Volkema said he believed it might prejudice officials against his request. However, ZBA officials said it would not have mattered.

Martin said regulations for home occupations require that home businesses not stock inventory for sale on the premises.

"You could be selling gift baskets instead of guns and it's the same rule," Martin said. "You can't sell inventory on site from your home business."

[FourPeas]

Tom's Pistol Parlor was one of a number of home gun-selling businesses that came under fire last spring for keeping firearms stocked in residential areas near schools

More "it's for the children" stupidity. I suppose that those same firearms will someday grow legs, walk the three blocks to the school and massacre those poor children.

Notice that NONE of his neighbors attended the meeting. Sounds like a hot neighborhood issue.

FP

[FourPeas]

bump

[ppaul]

You could be selling gift baskets instead of guns and it's the same rule," Martin said. "You can't sell inventory on site from your home business."

And, we've allowed this to happen without so much as a shot being fired.
In what used to be called "The Land of the Free."

[TC Rider]

He would have been smarter to just rent a hole-in-the-wall office somewhere else.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I hadn't realized there was a "near a school" exception clause in the Second Amendment.

[TigersEye]

But deputy city attorney Ken Breese said the ATF requires the transfer of guns occur at the address listed on the firearms license.

Volkema disagreed. "The Washington D.C. office has informed me there are alternatives to delivery at the premises and I can perform delivery away from (there),"

Ask another five BATF offices and get five more opinions. One more reason another bureaucracy out of Washington is a bad idea.

[Ford Fairlane]

ATF requires the transfer of guns occur at the address listed on the firearms license

The only exception to this is at a approved gun show / shooting event

[TigersEye]

"Volkema disagreed. "The Washington D.C. office has informed me there are alternatives to delivery at the premises and I can perform delivery away from (there)," Volkema said, noting his consulting business would involve working with attorneys and families to sell and transfer guns from the estates of deceased people. "

[Ford Fairlane]

I know a couple of dealers who have lost their licenses for performing the transfer away from the premises listed on their license.

I am very careful to follow the rules, BATF will use any excuse to take your license, and you could go to jail.

[TigersEye]

Thank you. I'll take your thoughts into consideration.