Where is the outrage regarding the opening of a gun shop at the entrance of our beach town? Picture it - the historical town of Lewes finds out that a businessman purchased the barn across from the high school and decides that he wants to open a gun shop. Oh, the outcry we would see and hear. What would you do, Lewes?

Picture it - the town of Dewey finds out that a gun shop is going to be opened in the nearest store to the Starboard restaurant.  What would you do Dewey?

Now picture this - a gun shop is due to be opened at the entrance to Rehoboth Beach, across from the West Rehoboth community, and I see one article regarding this insanity.  This community has fought hard and long to create a better living place for its residents.  It has been recognized for its community center, used to tutor and teach the children of its residents in the midst of a drug culture that has led to too many children losing their way. It represents a place for its concerned residents to gather and talk over the issues that impact their small slice of the pie.

It has a very important historical relationship to our town, Rehoboth Beach, and yet we allow a businessman to even think about opening a gun shop.  With little or no notice, or discussion. To hear him tell it, he can’t get any guns right now, but he will have ammo. The guns will be here in September. I just find it incredulous that our mayor, police department, educators, ministers, business leaders and other residents have not begun the battle to put a stop to this community lunacy.  And it will impact Lewes and Dewey and  Bethany and Ocean City.

Are all gun owners criminals?  No, but certainly I find it ludicrous that a gun shop needs to be anywhere near a resort area.  Let us take a page from "The Heat" script. When trying to find a strong leader, Melissa McCarthy begins looking for something on her boss's desk and Sandra Bullock asks “What is she looking for?” Let’s look on the desk of our leaders and find what she is looking for, and stand up against a gun shop in our midst.

Shawn Noel
Lewes