Raleigh resident gets permit for gun sales from home

A city ordinance says people cannot sell guns from their homes in residential districts, but state law overrides the city rule.

The Raleigh Board of Adjustment approved Jeff Satterwhite’s special-use permit application to operate a limited home business that would allow him to sell, receive and ship firearms from his house on Hawthorn Road.

The Board voted 4 to 1 in favor, with Ted Shear voting against.

Satterwhite holds a federal firearms license, which allows him to ship and receive firearms to and from other licensed dealers like himself. As part of his license, he must comply with all local laws, which require him to seek a special-use permit from the city in order to conduct business out of his home.

He said the license is to benefit his hobby of collecting guns, but to keep it he has to “actively engage in the business.” Satterwhite told the Record that what “actively” means is extremely vague and its interpretation varies.

He said as a dealer, he is required to keep records, shipment and delivery logs, conduct background checks and is subject to inspection by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

“It’s difficult to keep and difficult to get,” he said of the license.

Satterwhite said he is one of 1,380 North Carolina residents with this license and that he has to comply with more regulations than someone who sells guns privately.

As part of his special-use permit, Satterwhite agreed to no more than five shipments to or from his home each month. He also agreed to only having one customer per month come to his come for business.

The guns will be stored in a safe.

He said he has no intention of selling ammunition and won’t have large quantities on his property for his personal use.