A Volusia County business owner wants to open a restaurant that has both bullets and booze under one roof.
Businessman Ron Perkinson is proposing a restaurant on International Speedway Boulevard with a unique combination of food, liquor, gun sales and a shooting range.
But many residents including gun owners raised an eyebrow when they first heard about that combination. Volusia County’s Planning and Zoning recommended Thursday that the gun range and restaurant be allowed to open, but without the liquor allowed. Ultimately it will be up to city commissioners to decide.
“Everyone is up in arms because we will serve alcohol,” said Perkinson.
Perkinson owns a gun store in South Daytona, but other gun shop owners in the area are concerned.
“If someone has been consuming alcoholic beverages prior to using a firearm, not a good mix,” said Forrest Buckwald, the owner of Buck's Guns.
Buckwald is not alone.
Gun users at a public shooting range also disagree. A sign inside reads alcohol and shooting activities do not mix.
“Having booze with guns, doesn’t match. It’s just not a good thing in my opinion,” said gun user Bill Dini, who was getting ready to use the range.
However, Perkinson clarified that the two will not go hand in hand inside the proposed restaurant.
He said everyone having a drink will be carded.
Once a person has a drink that person and the people in the group will not be able to enter the shooting range on the same day.
“Once you order your first drink, as soon as you say, “I’ll have a bud light,” for example, you are done for 24 hours,” said Perkinson.
Perkinson said he will follow the planning and zoning board’s recommendations. If they say no liquor, he will still open the restaurant and shooting range without liquor.