Online tactical business selling guns, survival gear OK'd to open in Ravenna neighborhood

A Ravenna man will be allowed to operate a business selling tactical equipment, including guns, out of his Ravenna home.

The Ravenna Planning Commission voted 4-3 in favor of a conditional use permit requested by Arthur Hrdlicka to operate his business, Portage Tactical, from his home on North Prospect Street. Planning commission members Jonathan Jennings, Mark Hairston, Service Director Kay Dubinsky and Mayor Frank Seman voted in favor, and commission members Carmen Laudato, William Barber and Josh Smith voted no.

More:Tactical business selling AR-15 parts, survival equipment wants to operate in Ravenna home

Hrdlicka said his business sells survival equipment such as emergency food rations, survival gear, first aid kit, firearm parts and accessories and conceal carry purses. Guns make up about 10% to 15% of the items the business plans to sell, but would comprise about 35% to 40% of the business' revenue.

Hrdlicka said he is working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for a permit and is subject to strict record-keeping rules and surprise inspections in order to be allowed to sell guns at shows.

Previously, he told the commission the business would have no customers come to his home, but Tuesday he announced a change in plans. He said in a few "rare instances," customers might have to come to his house to pick up their guns, but only if shipping them to a licensed dealer would create a problem. Customers would need to make an appointment, and he said he doesn't plan to disclose his address to the public.

Laudato said she was concerned about the city's zoning code's references to businesses being "harmonious" with the neighborhood. She expressed concern that allowing the business would "open the floodgates" for similar ventures to open.

"I would be positively alarmed if this business were coming in next to me," she said

If the business were to open a storefront, Laudato said, "I'd probably be at the ribbon cutting."

Hrdlicka said he eventually wants to open a storefront but wants to build a customer base first. The business, he said, will use "drop shipping," shipping most products directly to a customer's home without Portage Tactical ever having to carry the item in stock. Firearms would have to be claimed directly from Hrdlicka at a gun show or picked up at a licensed dealer near the customer.

Cari Weber, who lives at the North Prospect Street house with Hrdlicka, pointed out that the business doesn't sell ammunition, so any customer who picks up a gun from their home would not immediately be able to use it.

Tabitha Dunlap, who lives across the street from the residence with her children, said she supports the business venture. Another neighbor didn't attend the meeting but wrote a letter expressing her support.

Jennings said he doesn't see the harm in an internet-based business opening, because it will mean less of a drain on city resources.

"It's a no brainer for me to allow him to sit at the back of his house and run his business," he said.

In 2020, the Kent Planning Commission approved a similar business. Jessica West, owner of West Arms FFL LLC, told the commission that she would operate her business out of the east unit of her duplex on West Main Street. She owns the building and lives in one side. West told the commission that the business isn't a gun store but instead will focus on providing background checks.

Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Business selling guns, survival gear to open in Ravenna neighborhood