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Planning commission forwards Yorktown Guns and Ammo special-use permit for firearm sales and service
Summary
The commission voted to forward resolution PC25-23 recommending approval of a special-use permit for Yorktown Guns and Ammo LLC to sell and service firearms from an existing 5,000-square-foot retail store at properties on Hyde Lane and George Washington Memorial Highway, subject to conditions including fire-safety and hazardous-materials review.
The York County Planning Commission voted to adopt resolution PC25-23, forwarding a recommendation of approval for a special-use permit that would authorize firearm sales and service at 108 Hyde Lane and 2330 and 2334 George Washington Memorial Highway for Yorktown Guns and Ammo LLC.
Planning staff said the three parcels total about two acres and are zoned general business. The applicant would continue to operate from an existing roughly 5,000-square-foot retail space (operating under the business name Little GI Joe’s military surplus) with no proposed changes to the building or site. Staff noted that Section 24.1-306 (category 10, number 20) of the zoning code requires a special-use permit for firearms sales and service in the GB district and recommended approval subject to conditions in proposed resolution PC25-23.
Staff told the commission that the business obtained a county business license in May 2024 for retail sales of apparel, hunting, camping and ammunition, and obtained a federal firearms license (FFL) from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that same month. An ATF annual inspection in June 2025 prompted ATF staff to contact the planning division to check for zoning approval; staff said the planning division had not received complaints about the business. One e-mail commenter expressed concern about firearms stored in glass cases after hours and recommended storage in gun safes.
The applicant, Tommy Jackson, told the commission that firearms are secured: "All the firearms are locked down" in cases with cables and padlocks, and some stored in large safes. He said he did not realize zoning approval was required until contacted by ATF during the inspection and that, after the contact, he submitted the SUP application.
Staff said the sheriff’s office reviewed the application and "indicated that they have no concerns about the proposed use." Fire and Life Safety staff requested a hazardous-materials management plan to address potential storage of ammunition or other regulated materials; staff also noted the applicant will be subject to initial and annual inspections under the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code. Planning staff proposed a condition requiring the applicant to obtain a new business license that specifically includes firearms sales and service.
Several residents and supporters spoke in favor of the application during the public hearing, describing the applicant as a long-time county business owner; no formal opposition speakers were recorded in the transcript. During discussion, one commissioner stated concern that the business had been selling firearms before securing zoning approval; another commissioner said the sheriff’s sign-off and planned conditions supported a safe operation. Commissioner Smith moved to forward resolution PC25-23; the motion passed on roll call, 6-1, with Commissioner Titus recorded as voting no. The recommendation will now proceed to the Board of Supervisors for final action.
