The Tamaqua zoning hearing board denied a request from Samuel J. Koch to grant a special exception for home occupation for the selling of firearms from his home in the South Ward section of Tamaqua.

Koch submitted the request as part of the process to obtain an FFL (federal firearms license) which would enable him to sell certain firearms and ammunition. "The FFL would be mostly for personal use," said Koch." We do a lot of shooting, we belong to numerous gun clubs. By getting the FFL, it allows huge discounts."Koch went on to explain that he had no intention of operating a full store business out of his house. "I don't want people coming to the house. It would mostly be to put stuff on the internet or supply ammunition to local gun clubs," he said. Koch said that he intended to provide catalogs if a friend or acquaintance was looking to purchase a gun and he would arrange for the sale, but he did not want to deal with anyone he didn't know personally. "I don't have room for the stuff," he said. "I'm not going to be stockpiling pallets or anything."Several members of the zoning board questioned Koch extensively. Karl Smulligan asked what safeguards were in place to protect the immediate community and firemen, in the event of a fire at the property. Koch said that all of his weapons and ammunition are kept in a fireproof safe, which has both a lock and a combination."I'm not very comfortable with this idea," said Smulligan. I've handled explosives and firearms and I know how hazardous it can be in a residential environment." Smulligan asked if Koch would be willing to install a more elaborate security and fire alarm system if the request was approved. Koch indicated that he would.Approximately 10 citizens, including several property owners in the area of Koch's home, attended the meeting as well. Several of them asked questions of Koch and several expressed concerns about the enterprise. Daniel Poncavage, who operates his own home business as an architect and lives near Koch, stated, "In my professional opinion and my non-professional opinion, this is not the place for a use such as that." Poncavage also questioned if it would change the nature of the neighborhood to one of a more commercial atmosphere.Although the questioning and the statements did become rather emotional, chairman of the board Richard Clemson did thank the audience for maintaining order during the hearing. Ultimately, the board denied the request. According to Clemson, the board has not entertained this type of request for this type of business in the past. "Typically, a home business would be more along the lines of a barbershop, an architect, an accountant," said Clemson. "Basically, we think that this type of business would be more appropriate in a commercial setting. The decision wasn't aimed at him (Koch). There were enough people who had questions and would not be happy with this type of business in the area," he continued. "There are better places for a business such as this."