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Man Wants To Sell Guns From His Home
May 8, 2005
By George Howell
Neighbors want the city to stop a man from essentially turning his home into a gun shop, but city officials say it's a federal issue and their hands are tied.
BELLEVUE - You wouldn't know it at first glance, but there is a big controversy brewing in a quiet neighborhood culdesac here.
William Mercer says his neighbor, Albert Kwan, is a bit peculiar.
"He lives alone and he's very quiet. He just sells guns, that's all," said Mercer with laugh.
Kwan is a private gun collector and he's been in the news before. He's making headlines again because he is applying for a permit to sell guns in his home.
Scott Watson says if his neighbor does get permission to continue selling the weapons next door the eight feet between their two homes just isn't enough.
"The potential for an accidental discharge exists. The potential for a fire with live ammunition there -- and the possibility of that creating shrapnel if that were to occur -- certainly exists," worries Watson.
In fact, eight of the 10 households on Kwan's street all sent letters to Bellevue's mayor asking the city to prevent Kwan from selling guns in the neighborhood.
Kwan was not home when KOMO 4 News approached him for comment. His attorney tells us his client has not given him permission to speak.
But published reports show that Kwan is appealing an earlier decision by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to prevent him from selling guns from his home.
If Kwan gets the green light from the government, the City of Bellevue tells neighbors it doesn't have the authority to intervene. Essentially the city does not have any power to override the federal government.
"You'd think there would be laws to not allow him to sell guns," said Mercer in disbelief. "Would you like to have someone living next to you that sells guns?"
Neighbors point out another published report that names Kwan as a witness to a murder investigation -- claiming he'd purchased two gun barrels similar to the ones used in the killing of Federal Prosecutor Thomas Wales in 2002.
Everyone on Kwan's street is concerned and they want something done to stop him. They say it's not only a matter of safety, they also feel a gun shop here would hurt the neighborhood's overall image and lower the value of their homes.
http://www.komotv.com/stories/36720.htm
May 8, 2005
By George Howell
Neighbors want the city to stop a man from essentially turning his home into a gun shop, but city officials say it's a federal issue and their hands are tied.
BELLEVUE - You wouldn't know it at first glance, but there is a big controversy brewing in a quiet neighborhood culdesac here.
William Mercer says his neighbor, Albert Kwan, is a bit peculiar.
"He lives alone and he's very quiet. He just sells guns, that's all," said Mercer with laugh.
Kwan is a private gun collector and he's been in the news before. He's making headlines again because he is applying for a permit to sell guns in his home.
Scott Watson says if his neighbor does get permission to continue selling the weapons next door the eight feet between their two homes just isn't enough.
"The potential for an accidental discharge exists. The potential for a fire with live ammunition there -- and the possibility of that creating shrapnel if that were to occur -- certainly exists," worries Watson.
In fact, eight of the 10 households on Kwan's street all sent letters to Bellevue's mayor asking the city to prevent Kwan from selling guns in the neighborhood.
Kwan was not home when KOMO 4 News approached him for comment. His attorney tells us his client has not given him permission to speak.
But published reports show that Kwan is appealing an earlier decision by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to prevent him from selling guns from his home.
If Kwan gets the green light from the government, the City of Bellevue tells neighbors it doesn't have the authority to intervene. Essentially the city does not have any power to override the federal government.
"You'd think there would be laws to not allow him to sell guns," said Mercer in disbelief. "Would you like to have someone living next to you that sells guns?"
Neighbors point out another published report that names Kwan as a witness to a murder investigation -- claiming he'd purchased two gun barrels similar to the ones used in the killing of Federal Prosecutor Thomas Wales in 2002.
Everyone on Kwan's street is concerned and they want something done to stop him. They say it's not only a matter of safety, they also feel a gun shop here would hurt the neighborhood's overall image and lower the value of their homes.
http://www.komotv.com/stories/36720.htm
