Even the most seasoned NYC residents are frequently surprised to learn that there is a retail gun shop in Manhattan. The John Jovino Gun Shop, at 183 Grand Street in Little Italy, is the city's oldest, established in 1911 (their sign claims to be the oldest in the USA). Click here for more photos. At one time there were more gun shops in this neighborhood, owing to the proximity of the Police Building at 240 Centre Street (now a residential condo but police headquarters before 1973). The old Frank Lava Gunsmith & Firearms Shop at 6 Centre Market Place around the corner from Jovino's current location, was established in 1850 and sported the large hanging gun motif, which John Jovino, later adopted. Click here for vintage photo and article. The shop is owned by Anthony Imperato who also owns the Henry Repeating Arms factory in Brooklyn. The existence of a rifle factory in NYC surprised me even more. The clientele for the shop is primarily law enforcement, but it is open to anyone with the proper permits. Articles I have read report that there has been a steady rise in gun sales since 911, so I guess the future of this shop looks good ...
Friday, January 05, 2007
John Jovino Gun Shop
Even the most seasoned NYC residents are frequently surprised to learn that there is a retail gun shop in Manhattan. The John Jovino Gun Shop, at 183 Grand Street in Little Italy, is the city's oldest, established in 1911 (their sign claims to be the oldest in the USA). Click here for more photos. At one time there were more gun shops in this neighborhood, owing to the proximity of the Police Building at 240 Centre Street (now a residential condo but police headquarters before 1973). The old Frank Lava Gunsmith & Firearms Shop at 6 Centre Market Place around the corner from Jovino's current location, was established in 1850 and sported the large hanging gun motif, which John Jovino, later adopted. Click here for vintage photo and article. The shop is owned by Anthony Imperato who also owns the Henry Repeating Arms factory in Brooklyn. The existence of a rifle factory in NYC surprised me even more. The clientele for the shop is primarily law enforcement, but it is open to anyone with the proper permits. Articles I have read report that there has been a steady rise in gun sales since 911, so I guess the future of this shop looks good ...
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10 comments:
must have decided one sign wasn't nearly enough....Love the actual gun-shaped hanging sign though!
Not to mention all the pictures plastered all over the glass depicting things that those brand new gun-owners can go out and shoot!
Great photo (really!)
Yes, but I thought they gave you the firearms for the job if you were in the police. I guess maybe they want their own?
I wonder why anyone would be so surprised that NYC has a gun store?
I don't own a gun but have shot quite a few (target practice). I'm a pretty good shot...lol...they say women in general are.
I thought there was a gun shop on every corner, and a citizen militia aremed to the teeth in every nook and cranny of the US.
Now, don't shatter our illusions !! ;-))))
This is a prime example of why I love your blog. You find such interesting places that I have never heard of and I lived in NYC for 20 years and know a lot. Or you have photos of places I know but they never looked so beautiful. Please don't ever stop! I moved away from NYC and miss is dearly and don't know when I'll be back so please keep me connected.
I laught at you all, its not one gun shop there is more and couns shooting ranges they can order and sell guns to customers with no problem Iam one of them got my p226 9mm some time ago :D happy shooting
Was a little surprised to come across this store during a visit to NYC. Had to stop in and take a look. Bought a t-shirt, but no guns. I already have over 30 guns and without the hassle of getting them in New York!
The movie The Brave One was on TV a couple nights ago, and there is a scene filmed in this store, which made me think of the time I came across the store the first time.
JOHN JOVINO COMPANY IS TRULY THE YANKEE STADIUM OF THE GUN BUSSINESS. MR. ALBANESE AND MR IMPERATO BUILT THIS BUSSINESS INTO A HISTORICAL ESTABLISHMENT OVER THE YEARS.THERE IS A FEELING YOU GET OF YESTERYEAR WHEN YOU ENTER.THEY WERE NUMBER ONE IN THE COUNTRY FOR YEARS AND WILL ALWAYS REMAIN NUMBER ONE. IF THERE WAS A HALL OF FAME FOR GUN ESTABLISHMENTS JOVINOS WOULD BE THE FIRST TO ENTER.
I wonder how the owner of that shop handles every situation in all this years. I can say that the owner manage its shop well. But isn't that a dangerous shop?
Kitchen table - It does seem crazy to me that a retail gun store exists in Manhattan, but I have heard of no problems there.
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