Watch CBS News

Amid threats, kids pulled out of Va. school near gun shop

Some parents who protested the opening of a gun store near a suburban Washington, D.C. elementary school say they have pulled their children out of the school because they've been the target of intimidation.

CBS affiliate WUSA reports at least two students at Franklin Sherman Elementary School have been pulled out of the school because of threats against their parents that stem from the protest.

"Our parents are frightened, as a school board member, I am frightened," said Fairfax County School Board Member Janie Strauss.

WUSA reports that Nova Firearms, which opened two weeks ago behind the school despite the protests, welcomed a steady stream of customers on Tuesday.

A woman who organized the protest told WUSA that she's being threatened on an online message board for Fairfax County residents.

"They made threats against her family, they've printed her address and they're saying really incredibly horrible things," Delegate Kathleen Murphy said.

Last month, the store's owner, JB Gates, told WUSA that his business outgrew its original store less than a mile away and moved into the new larger space next to the school.

"It is a grade school and yes we understand we are in the backyard but in this industry it's really hard to find a landlord that is gun-friendly," Gates said.

Strauss says it would be hard to distinguish between someone who is legally open carrying a gun on the store's property from a threat.

"This is not an appropriate place for a gun store," she said.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.