Deal in works would drop casinos’ opposition to Beretta gun store in Shoppes at Palazzo

By Joe Schoenmann

Sunday, July 15, 2012 | 2 a.m.

We reported last week about an impending political battle over a proposed Beretta gun store and shooting range in the high-end mall, the Shoppes at Palazzo.

The Venetian and Wynn Las Vegas don’t want the gun store there, alluding to the potential hazard of someone buying a gun then opening fire at the nearby casinos. The mall’s operator counters that the high-end store complements other stores, is a good fit and the fears are just hysteria.

After the Clark County Planning Commission approved a use permit for the store, the Venetian was reported to have filed an appeal to the County Commission. That might not happen now.

Why not?

Sources say a tentative deal has been struck.

And the deal says what exactly?

Sources say the deal allows the Beretta store to open without an indoor gun range. Part of the worry was that a gun range would attract armed people into the Palazzo to try out the range. Even though that wouldn’t be allowed — only people trying out Beretta-store guns could have used the range — the fear was of people not knowing about the range's rules and showing up with firearms in hand. With no gun range, that fear is abated.

The other part of the compromise, sources say, is that people still would be able to purchase guns at the store but not be able to leave the store with a gun. Instead, the gun would be shipped to them later.

How final is the deal?

Early stages. One casino representative said the terms had not be widely disseminated as of Friday morning.

• • •

Sometimes you just have to laugh at the way things work themselves out in Las Vegas.

Whoever thought a pawnshop, long considered the nadir of business alongside check-cashing stores, would become so celebrated as to warrant an honorary day in Clark County?

But it’s happening this week.

Are you talking about the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, which has become the go-to place on the downtown Las Vegas map due to the History Channel TV show, “Pawn Stars”?

The very same. The store is going to be honored Tuesday by the Clark County Commission, which will declare July 17 as “Pawn Stars/Gold & Silver Pawn Day.” We expect the show’s regulars — Chumlee, Big Hoss, The Spotter and The Old Man — to accept the honor.

Interesting to note, according to county backup documents, is that after three years, the show is No. 1 on cable television, with 8 million viewers each Monday.

And oddly enough, the show has led to a near doubling of the number of visitors to the Clark County Museum.

Why is that?

Because Mark Hall-Patton, museum administrator, is also a show regular. He’s frequently called upon to authenticate a document or item brought to the pawn shop for trade.

How much has attendance increased?

In fiscal year 2011 (July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2011), museum visitors numbered 20,675. In fiscal year 2012, which ended June 30, 2012, visitors numbered, 35,827 — a 73 percent increase.

The museum must be near the Strip then, right?

It’s not even close to the Strip. It’s not even in Las Vegas. Or in unincorporated Clark County. It’s way out there in Henderson, some 12 miles from Interstate 15 due east.

Recognizing the museum, "Pawn Stars" is donating $1,000 to it and is going to loan it the chair used by the late U.S. senator from Nevada, Patrick McCarran. McCarran was known for a near-maniacal fear of communists. He was the principal sponsor of the McCarran Internal Security Act, which required, among other things, Communist Party members and affiliates to register with the government. Much of the law has been repealed or found unconstitutional. McCarran served in the Senate 21 years until his death in 1954.

Quote of the Week

“They’re just asking to get ... what the rest of the nation is getting.”

– Jerry Keating, assistant general manager, Regional Transportation Commission, to the RTC board Thursday about why a union contract proposal includes cost-of-living increases, merit-pay increases and keeps longevity pay intact for new employees.

A consultant watching the meeting whispered: “The rest of the nation is getting nothing.”