The Goleta City Council unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium on new firearm and ammunition retailers Tuesday evening while city officials work to develop permanent regulations dictating where the businesses may operate.
The council voted 5-0 to adopt the urgency ordinance. The measure required support from four of the five council members to pass and took effect immediately.
The temporary measure prohibits any new retailer that would increase the number of gun and ammunition stores in Goleta above the two currently open. It does not prevent either existing business from continuing to operate or relocating, as long as its former and new locations do not operate simultaneously.
“It gives us time to look and prepare another ordinance and do it right and do a thorough job,” Mayor Paula Perotte said.
Goleta currently treats firearm and ammunition sellers as general retail businesses. Before this evening, one could choose any eligible commercial location, obtain a business license and open without a public hearing, neighborhood notification or review of its location.
City manager Robert Niset said the temporary pause would allow the city to carefully explore possible regulations before returning to the council with another ordinance.
Possible regulations include restrictions on which zoning districts can accommodate gun stores, buffers from schools and childcare facilities, separation requirements between retailers and additional security, operating and business-license standards.
The issue originally stemmed from community objection to Goodland Guns’ relocation to 7443 Hollister Ave., which is near a preschool. The store followed Goleta’s existing approval process, and the moratorium does not require it to close or relocate.
Goleta resident Sarah Penna supported the moratorium, telling council members she had strong feelings about children being exposed to guns.
“I appreciate the urgency you’re taking,” Penna said.
Lindsey Vining also supported the measure and thanked city leaders for their response.
“Thank you for taking this seriously and putting in the care,” Vining said.
Other speakers expressed opposition to the city’s action. Ethan Woodill, a lifelong Goleta resident, stressed that Goodland Guns had followed the city’s established approval process. He also asked the council to postpone their decision until after the November election.
“The business went through an approved process,” Woodill said.
Goodland Guns owner Dan Ashton acknowledged that the moratorium would not affect his business but said he opposed it based on principle.
“I’m here because it’s wrong,” Ashton said.
Ashton told the council that his business had operated near a preschool or daycare for years at its previous location. He argued that the moratorium and the permanent restrictions under consideration would send an anti-gun message.
The City Council directed staff Sept. 1 to study regulations specifically governing firearm and ammunition retailers. Developing those rules will require research, mapping, legal review, ordinance drafting, public notice and hearings, according to a city staff report.
Staff said the pause was needed to prevent additional stores from opening under the existing rules and potentially conflicting with regulations the city later adopts.
Santa Barbara County adopted a similar 45-day moratorium Sept. 1 covering unincorporated areas. Goleta staff said that the county’s action increased the possibility that prospective retailers could seek locations inside city limits before Goleta has the opportunity to adopt its own regulations.
The City Council would have to hold a public hearing before extending the moratorium beyond its initial 45-day term.
