NOVA Armory Wins Zoning Appeal as Supporters Show Up in Droves: Report

Controversial new Arlington gun shop NOVA Armory is celebrating its latest victory, as the Arlington County Zoning Board rejected an appeal to revoke its small business occupancy permit at a May 11 hearing.

The five-member board voted unanimously that the Lyon Park gun shop should keep its occupancy certificate, basing their decision on zoning rules, according to a Daily Caller report.

NOVA Armory encouraged its fans over Twitter to show their support at the hearing Tuesday evening, and the Daily Caller reported that there were a number of activists there wearing "Guns Saves Lives" stickers. Several supporters spoke on behalf of NOVA Armory at the hearing.

The three women who appealed the permit claimed that the applications contained "false and misleading information," according to the report, but the panel rejected that argument.

NOVA Armory tweeted its thanks to supporters after the hearing.

"Thanks to everyone that came out this evening!" they wrote. "The sea of orange made a difference! It was was a great night for gun owners in Arlington!"

The opening of the store earlier this year raised the hackles of locals who said they didn't want a gun shop in the area, sparking protests and an ugly legal battle that culminated in NOVA Armory suing dozens of protesters recently.

The controversy has gotten so much attention that even musician Ted Nugent got involved, slamming critics of NOVA Armory in a Facebook posting April 28.

"Jackboot America haters running amok here there everywhere & WE THE PEOPLE must crush them everywhere everytime everyway everyday!" he wrote in response to a report on NOVA Armory's battle with locals. "Do not stand for this bulls***! Crush freedom haters! Spotlight cockroaches & stomp em to death."

NOVA Armory was more than happy to be supported by the conservative celebrity, tweeting: "Mr. Nugent, Thank you for supporting NOVA Armory! We appreciate everything you do to protect the 2nd Amendment!"