An attempt by Epsom residents to eliminate or restrict firearm sales in residential areas of town failed during ballot voting on Tuesday.

Residents Mike Keeler and Robert Topik put forward 10 petitioned warrant articles after the planning board allowed a couple to run a mail-order firearms business out of their house on Lena Lane.

Keeler and Topik argued the approval violated the town’s zoning laws. They said the business should be located in one of the industrial zones in town, not in a residential area.

All 1o of their articles were shot down by at least a two-to-one margin.

Topik, who has sued the town over the matter, was out at the polls Tuesday, greeting voters with handouts and making his case.

“This is more about residential versus commercial and residential being the last little sanctuary we have some control over, than it is about guns versus anti-guns,” he said.

Not everyone was happy to see the item on the ballot in Epsom, where all town matters are settled during voting since it’s an SB2 town, as opposed to holding a traditional meeting.

“I think it’s ridiculous that it’s being fought,” said voter Mike Epright. “This is Hampshire, and this is Epsom. I don’t think that we need more government interference in anything, especially with legit law.”

Town officials maintain they did nothing wrong and cannot regulate what is sold from a home business.

State Rep. Dan McGuire sits on the town planning board and said the business is internet-based and not retail.

“Every once in a while a UPS driver will come and pick stuff up and drop stuff off,” he said. “So to us, it did not seem excessive. We determined that what these guys want to do is no greater impact on the neighborhood than making dresses.”

Farther down the ballot, residents approved both the town and school budgets.

Epsom’s $14.2 million school budget will increase the tax rate by $2.25, which means an annual increase of $675 a year on a $300,000 home. The proposed budget increases spending by $762,404, with nearly all of that coming from special education programs and transportation.

The proposed $4 million town budget would increase the tax rate by 23 cents, which amounts to an annual increase of $70 a year for an average home. Money to go toward road construction would add a similar amount.

Overall, taxes are due to rise by nearly $1,000 a year for a home worth $300,000.

For elected positions, Cameron Lilley and Michael Wiggett won two seats on the school board, while Selectwoman Virginia Drew ran unopposed for her seat.