Dedham Residents Protest Gun Shop Near Playground

DEDHAM, MA — Dozens of residents gathered at Condon Park Sunday to protest the opening of a gun shop next month. Many of those who rallied walked from east Dedham to oppose the opening of J & J Arms because the Bussey Street store will be within 500 feet of the park playground and within a mile of three schools. The protesters then marched from the park to the store site.

Other Dedham residents also expressed concerns about the shop. Adam Satriano, who lives within walking distance, said he worries about his middle school-aged kids walking by the store when it opens.

"Their curiosity, combined with fear from school drills, etc., I just don't think a gun shop belongs in a residential neighborhood," Satriano told Patch.

Neighbor Leslie Dawe agreed, saying she doesn't want a second gun shop to open in Dedham.

"More gun shops equals more guns on the street," Dawe told Patch. "More guns is not the answer to the gun violence epidemic in the U.S., despite what the NRA might lead people to believe."

Dedham doesn't have any zoning laws specific to gun shops. Protesters said they hope to change the laws at November's Town Meeting to prevent such shops from opening near parks and schools in the future. Protesters said they've also reached out to the Board of Health, arguing the store opening in an area filled with children is a public health issue.

The protest comes as lawmakers are considering stricter gun-control measures following mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. At least 31 people died.

For Dedham resident Maura Turner, the issue was personal. In March 2018, Turner flew out to Napa, California, to visit her friend Christine Loeber, a clinical social worker who treats veterans. Turner said she was looking forward to a weekend filled with"fun, laughter, wine and sisterhood."

But as Turner waited on her friend's patio for her to return home from work, she received shocking news. Loeber and two of her coworkers had been taken hostage by a heavily armed former patient.

"No matter how angry and troubled this man was, I thought, he couldn’t kill someone as kind, empathetic, wise and joyful as my friend," Turner said addressing the crowd from atop the bed of a pickup truck. "If anyone, these three skilled clinicians could talk him down. But that evening I received word that they were gone."

Before hostage negotiators could arrive, Albert Wong, 36, killed Loeber and her co-workers before shooting at the sheriff and killing himself, according to authorities. Turner said the idea of bringing guns this close to school children is appalling.

"I am one of countless Americans personally affected by gun violence," Turner said. "Every day, our system fails to protect innocent victims. The idea that we would bring a gun store to this town, near where our kids learn and play, appalls me. It’s bad enough that students and faculty have to endure active shooter drills in school. How do you assure your kid that if gun violence is a remote possibility, that you will keep them safe?"

J & J Arms owner Joshua Cruz said he understands why people might feel the location isn't great, but he said safety is his priority.

"It is completely understandable that people may feel it is not the best location or time due to the last few acts of terror in our beloved country to open this type of a store," Cruz wrote in an Instagram post. "Please rest assured our priority is firearm safety. Children are not allowed to enter the store unless they are accompanied by an adult."

Resident Micah Flynn said he understands that the owner is trying to operate a legal business but doesn't the location is appropriate for a gun shop.

"It's far too close to a residential neighborhood," Flynn told Patch.

Cruz's attorney, Andrew Couture, told Patch the store complies with all federal and state regulations and his client's business is "a lot more than just a store." He said Cruz intends to teach firearm safety courses.

"It's unfortunate people are upset," Couture said. "This is a constitutional issue we're dealing with."

Following the initial public outrage and an online petition that was signed by more than 5,400 people, Cruz met with the town Design Review Board two weeks ago and agreed to remove any images of guns from the signs that will appear outside the store. Cruz is also scheduled to meet with Police Chief Michael D'Entremont Tuesday.