WESTFORD — A proposed bylaw that could regulate future firearms businesses in Westford could return at a future town meeting.
An updated proposal was unanimously remanded to the Planning Board during a Feb. 13 Select Board meeting.
“This is more of a procedural matter than anything else,” Town Manager Kristen Las told the board.
The Planning Board originally proposed an updated bylaw during an Oct. 23, 2023 meeting. The original proposal, which was presented to voters during an Oct. 16, 2023 Special Town meeting, failed to garner two-thirds majority support after months of resident input through four public hearings.
“They [town staff and counsel] have been working through a bylaw which is a bit of a compromise from what we previously saw,” Las said.
Updated proposal
The proposal removes all previous setback requirements, except a 500 foot setback between firearms businesses and a 1,000 foot setback between schools.
Additionally, firing ranges will no longer be included in the definition of a firearms business, exempt from the proposed requirements. Businesses that purchase and sell firearms, firearms accessories, ammunition or provide gunsmithing services would be subject to these new zoning requirements.
Special permits would still be required for new businesses, however, there would be no limitation on the number of permits that could be granted by the Planning Board.
Previously, the board had set a limit of four permits, however, language was included in the previous proposal that would have allowed the board to waive this requirement if it felt a need was not served by an existing business.
Solving public safety concerns
The new proposal aims to allay public safety concerns raised by Police Chief Mark Chambers.
Concerns over setbacks in Westford were raised early last year after the Boston Globe reported that a mill in Littleton housed the largest collection of federally licensed gun manufacturers in the nation. Voters in Littleton approved measures at a Feb. 15, 2023 Special Town Meeting to create setbacks between firearms businesses, which forced several existing businesses to relocate.
A business formerly housed in the Littleton mill, Legal Arms Co., had received approval from the Planning Board during a March 6, 2023 meeting.
“The ease of access when you have some of these firearms in the same location, it seems to encourage some of that ‘frame game’ behavior where non-approved firearms were being purchased through multiple dealers,” Chambers told the Planning Board during a Dec. 18, 2023 meeting.
Additionally, Chambers says a special permit would allow the police department to “play a role” in the business’ security requirements.
“There’s more teeth if we are able to do that through a special permit,” he said.
State law requires the Planning Board to hold a public hearing by April 18 — 65 days after the proposal was submitted to the Planning Board from the Select Board.
