Jackson aldermen to consider home gunsmithing business Tuesday

Repairing and designing guns has always fascinated Perry Evans. Now the Jackson resident wants to turn that passion into a home-based business.

"I lost my job in June but don't have the capital to do a commercial business," Evans said. "I've been doing this as a hobby for several years and want to get it off the ground inside my residence."

The Jackson Board of Aldermen will consider his request during a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Perry and Pamela Evans of 1430 Douglas Drive are applying for a special-use permit for gunsmithing as a home occupation. The permit requires the couple meet 13 conditions.

Those conditions include a valid permit from the Missouri Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, hours of operation that are by appointment only, no ammunition sold, all firearms kept in a safe when not received, examined, delivered or repaired and no exterior advertisements indicating the business is at the location.

Perry said that he does not plan to sell any ammunition or firearms. Perry said that once he finishes repairing a gun, he then tests the gun at an area firing range.

The special-use permit conditions were developed by city staff after the Dec. 9 planning and zoning meeting, in which Evans' special use permit application was defeated 6-3. However, Jackson building and planning superintendent Janet Sanders said the planning and zoning commission only recommends actions to the board of aldermen.

"Their decision based on the recommendation many times can go either way," Sanders said. "The board puts a lot of stock in planning and zoning's recommendation, but they also make their own decision."

Six of eight aldermen must vote in favor of the permit in order for it to be issued. Some aldermen already have visited the site.

Larry Cunningham of Ward 3 and Dale Rauh of Ward 4 visited the Evans home Thursday. Both aldermen said they were impressed with his facility but would wait until the hearing to make a final decision on how they will vote.

Cunningham said while he normally opposes special-use permits, he said in some cases they are merited.

"He's just trying to make a living since he lost his job," Cunningham said. "I'm leaning toward voting for it, but I need to hear what the public has to say at the hearing before making up my mind."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent addresses:

101 Court St., Jackson, MO

1430 Douglas Drive, Jackson, MO