Goodland Guns, a firearms retailer with more than a decade of history in Goleta, California, recently relocated to a new site adjacent to a day-care center, sparking concern among local families and officials. The store, previously operating without formal complaints, moved this summer next to the Here We Grow infant care and preschool center, sharing a fence with the playground. The decision has reignited debates over gun store proximity to places where children gather, particularly in a community with a history of gun violence.
Goleta, an affluent coastal city in Santa Barbara County, has previously experienced high-profile shootings, including a 2006 incident involving a former postal worker who killed seven people and himself, and the 2014 Isla Vista rampage by Elliot Rodger, who had purchased his first firearm from a local gun store. These events contribute to heightened sensitivity among residents toward firearms in public spaces.
The owner of Goodland Guns, Dan Ashton, defended the move, stating the relocation was prompted by a significant rent increase at the previous location and that all city regulations were followed. Ashton noted challenges in finding a new site, including stringent permitting requirements and limited commercial space, which led him to lease a former 7-Eleven building next to the day-care center. He emphasized compliance with safety regulations, including California’s laws on firearm transport and storage within the store, and has installed fencing and privacy screens to minimize visibility from the day care.
Despite these measures, local families and day-care operators have voiced strong opposition. Heather Robbins, owner of Here We Grow, reported a substantial decline in enrollment following the gun store’s arrival and widespread parental discomfort. Robbins has collected thousands of signatures on a petition opposing the store’s location, arguing that firearm retailers should not be classified and licensed similarly to general retail stores such as clothing or furniture shops.
The controversy has prompted local government responses. The Goleta Union School District board passed a resolution urging local cities and the county to establish minimum buffer zones of 1,000 feet between gun stores and schools or day cares, including restrictions along routes used by children. In light of the issue, the Goleta City Council directed staff to explore options for regulating firearms retailers, potentially reclassifying them beyond “general retail,” and considering business license modifications. The council is also expected to vote on a temporary moratorium on new gun stores while these measures are evaluated.
Similarly, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors enacted a 45-day moratorium on new, relocated, or expanded gun stores in unincorporated areas, aiming to draft regulations including buffer zones. Supervisor Laura Capps highlighted community outrage over the lack of public process in the recent relocation, while Supervisor Steve Lavagnino referenced a nearby firearms store located directly across from a high school in his district as an example of contentious proximity.
Some members of the local firearms business community have criticized the proposed regulations as punitive. At a recent council meeting, Ashton described the regulatory efforts as an “attack” on his business, while another longtime local gun store owner threatened legal action if restrictions are imposed.
California law prohibits firearm possession within 1,000 feet of K-12 schools but exempts private businesses, including gun stores, and does not cover day-care centers specifically. As a result, cities and counties regulate firearm retailers through varied zoning and licensing ordinances. Goleta’s current municipal code categorizes licensed gun stores as general retail establishments, providing little restriction on their location relative to child-focused facilities.
The ongoing debate in Goleta reflects broader tensions between community safety concerns and firearm commerce, with local officials expressing interest in clearer state-level guidance to standardize buffer zones and prevent similar conflicts in the future.