‘Catering to all kinds’: Staten Island gun shop opens for business, offering firearms, ammunition and more

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New York City has some of the strictest gun laws in the country. In order to buy a gun in one of the five boroughs, consumers must be at least 21 years old with no history of felony convictions. And if you’re seeking a concealed carry permit, multiple character references are required, as well as proof of completion of a firearms safety training course.

Vincent Orlando and Bradley Hecker are strong supporters of those Second Amendment terms.

“Here in New York, we’re experiencing a new era in firearm rights,” Orlando noted, detailing a 2022 Supreme Court decision that reversed a century-old law which prohibited a citizen’s concealed carry rights. “For the first time in a long time, residents can carry a concealed weapon on their person. And I think members of the community need to recognize the weight of that right and understand the responsibilities that go along with it.”

Orlando and Hecker — both longtime gun enthusiasts who are licensed to carry in multiple states — are making it their mission to educate borough residents about firearm safety. And at their newly launched establishment, Tactical Beards Gun Shop — the first store on Staten Island to sell firearms and ammunition in over 20 years — business is already thriving.

“In other areas of the country, gun stores are unique to the communities that they serve,” noted Hecker. “If you live in a big hunting community, you’re going to find rifles, shotguns and camouflage clothing. If you live closer to the city, there will be more handguns and self-defense weapons. But because Staten Island has no gun shops, and there is zero purchase history to define the market, we are catering to all kinds of different consumers with all kinds of different backgrounds.”

Located at 451 Northfield Ave. in Mariners Harbor, in the Roman Plaza shopping center that is anchored by Burger King, Popeyes and Taco Bell, Tactical Beards defines itself as a “one-stop gun shop” that offers firearms, ammunition and accessories, as well as a healthy buy-and-trade business.

“We offer the NY concealed carry course and can assist you with all paperwork needed to obtain your carry permit,” the business noted on its Yelp page. “We have a gunsmith on site for all your firearm-related needs, including parts installations, repairs and more.”

Orlando explained: “We’re not in it to make a quick buck. We advocate for a strong knowledge and skillset in firearms before making a purchase. If you’re making the decision to carry a tool that has the potential to take someone’s life, you have to check your ego at the door.”

The store is still in its soft-opening phase, but the owners said that the community response has been overwhelming: Customers have been lined up outside of the establishment daily, sometimes dozens deep, to browse the offerings. And the official grand opening isn’t until Nov. 10.

“Our goal is to guide the customer in selecting the perfect firearm for them,” Hecker said. “And then we can train you on how to best utilize it.”

And each owner brings a different skillset to the table. Orlando, an entrepreneur who owns four other businesses, began hunting at a young age and has experience with a range of weapons.

“I’m a civilian, not in law enforcement,” he said. “So I approach gun ownership from that vantage point, which I think customers respect and appreciate. I obtained my license and permits the same way they obtained theirs.”

Hecker, a New York state law enforcement officer and former EMT, is a competitive shooter who has multiple title wins in practical shooting sports.

“Together, through our combined experience, we have a lot of knowledge,” Hecker said. “We understand the laws, and if we don’t have an answer to a particular question, we will do the research and get the answer for you.”

And their sales tactics are extremely low pressure — a policy they said they’ve adopted to make sure their customers are always happy.