The Warren City Council has asked the planning commission to review regulations regarding the wholesale storage of ammunition and the presence of arsenals within the city limits.

Zoning ordinance changes, City Manager Nancy Freenock said, first go to the city’s Planning Commission for consideration where the commission makes recommendations to council.

She said Mayor Dave Wortman proposed the review of this specific element of the city’s zoning ordinance.

Councilman Maurice Cashman cut to the crux of the matter when he asked “what’s the real issue here if I may ask?”

“This is a pretty broad paragraph,” Mayor Wortman said.

“This particular ordinance is incredibly vague,” Councilman Joe Michaels explained.

Two specific elements of the code are up for review. Both are part of a list of prohibited uses and defined in the code as “commercial ammunition manufacturing or wholesale storage of ammunition” and “arsenal.”

“I look at this… (as) defense of supplies needed for Second Amendment” protections, Michaels said, and also “prohibiting an industry from operating in our city in a time when we are looking for jobs.

“My concern with arsenal,” he added, “is because (of the) complete vagueness of this ordinance. There is no definition of arsenal in this ordinance.”

He argued that definitions of the word can include “personal reserves” and said while campaigning that he saw “plenty of citizens (whose) collections could easily be described as arsenals.”

Freenock said the entire zoning ordinance is going to be re-written as part of the comprehensive planning process within the next year.

She said Police Chief Joe Sproveri advised her that “we are also going to have to check with ATF (the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) and have the solicitor check state law. (I) have no idea if these are regulated by any other law” or are a “blanket prohibition” in the city’s zoning ordinance.

“I don’t know enough to answer that,” she said.

Michaels argued that he does not “think it’s our duty as a city” to enforce state and federal mandates.

“I think this issue should at least be considered,” Councilman John Wortman said. “If this is just something that has been added to the city code, any economic regulation we have not required by state or federal law is something we should get rid of.”

“The main issue is whether a business can store ammunition,” Councilwoman Wendy McCain said. “There’s a particular business that we’re interested in.”

Cashman noted he “certainly wouldn’t want a fireworks manufacturer being in the middle of the city. These are explosive devices.”