8/25/2023 0 Comments Lower merion township eventsIt’s presence so close to where we live, and our children play and go to school is alarming, even frightening to many, and raises many legitimate concerns about safety,” said Commissioner Gilda Kramer.Ĭommissioner Michael McKeon said he is still looking for an agreeable solution. “This business in this location is not in keeping with the character of our peaceful, safe, family-oriented residential neighborhood filled with schools and places of worship. Grant is training people to do exactly that.” Hirschhorn said.įollowing public comment, several commissioners spoke up about the business. So who’s here to protect us? Who is here to protect the Jew in his community when even the cops will wait outside while you get killed? Grant is not selling guns. “As we’ve seen all too well in Uvalde that the cops will not protect you if something ever goes bad. On the other side of the debate, Marcus Hirschhorn identified himself as a former member of the Israeli Defense Force who served as a squad-designated marksman said, “I have heard in English, German and Arabic ‘death to the Jew’ more times than I care to remember.” It is true, there is no denying that there are people out to kill Jews because we are Jews, but to create a vigilante squad in the community is not the right response,” Hamermesh said. “I recognize I am part of a targeted group. Hannah Hamermesh, a resident in the area, said she was opposed to what she described as a vigilante squad. ![]() “So after a recent anti-Semitic attack in Colorado, we said, ‘let’s empower the Jewish community like rabbis and such that we know are going to be there.'” “I work in armed security in many schools and houses of worship recognize that armed security are not always there, but I can tell you certain people are always at these schools,” he said. One of the things that led to much of the discussions was when Schmidt said he has a program designed to train Jewish community members on how to be armed and trained in order to protect themselves and others. “In Pennsylvania, more than half of all households have at least one firearm. “Primarily, Shot Tech teaches people how to shoot and defend innocent life, primarily by utilizing advanced simulation technology,” Schmidt said. Instead, he described the images of guns shown on Instagram as training aids that would be no different from something a martial arts studio might have. Schmidt said Shot Tec is not a gun store in that people cannot simply walk in and purchase a gun. Grant Schmidt, the owner of Shot Tec, said he wanted to address misinformation being discussed about his business. “To avoid that kind of circumstance, we need to tread carefully and follow a thorough legislative process,” Sinai said. ![]() In the end, that ordinance was struck down in the courts. Sinai recalled around 2015 when Lower Merion tried enacting an ordinance banning guns in parks. Rather I am just trying to be forthright about the hand we’ve been dealt,” Sinai said. I personally believe we absolutely should. “Now, let me be clear, I do not raise these caveats to suggest that we shouldn’t try as hard as possible to address the community’s concerns. Sinai said they have to work with the township’s solicitor, and will have to read and draft legislation that the board could consider. There’s clearly a desire here to control the type of businesses that operate in our community, but there’s nothing addressing the sale of weapons designed specifically to kill people. ![]() “I find it outrageous that there’s no legislation on LM’s books to curtail firearm businesses, but there’s plenty of legislation to limit vape shops, pawn shops and dispensaries. Many of the people speaking out against the location argued that it’s too close to several schools and parks, and the township could or should have done something to prevent it.Īmelia Powell, who started the online petition, said that over 2,700 people signed it, it has been viewed over 40,000 times and shared over 1,000 times since it was written three weeks ago. On Wednesday night, the discussion moved to the Lower Merion Board of Commissioners meeting when dozens of people came out. At the same time, a petition was posted condemning the business. relocated to a new location at Montgomery and Bala avenues in Bala Cynwyd.Īs soon as word of the store’s new location was known, a debate quickly took off on local social media sites. LOWER MERION – Over the past few weeks, a new gun debate has erupted in Lower Merion after a business called Shot Tec LLC.
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