The Clark County Planning Commission hears arguments concerning a Beretta gun store. (Robbie Hunt/FOX5)
LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
The Las Vegas Strip is one step closer to getting its own gun store.
On Tuesday night, the Clark County Planning Commission voted to allow Beretta to open a shop and shooting range inside The Shoppes at the Palazzo.
The vote came despite heavy opposition from neighboring hotel/casinos.
"It takes one PR disaster to ruin it for the entire industry. The economy is in too fragile of a state. If we have one bad thing happen, it will ruin it for the entire city," said Stacie Michaels with Wynn Las Vegas.
Representatives from Wynn and the Venetian spoke out against the high-end boutique, pointing out the risk of operating a gun store in a casino.
The Planning Commission voted 4-1 to give Beretta a permit. Beretta will sell expensive firearms, some in the tens of thousands. The store will not sell ammunition.
"We're pleased the Planning Commission approved it, and frankly we're pleased they had a thorough hearing and asked hard question because some of our neighbors here deserve full answers to their concerns and the (Planning Commission) gave those answers," said Greg Borgel, an attorney for Beretta.
The store and firing range will likely be up and running within the next few months. The space that will house the store is owned and managed by a Chicago-based company rather than the Palazzo.
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