Fairgrounds’ gun show could be its last

Susan McCormack

FAIRGROUNDS -- The Orange County Fairgrounds this month will hold its

final gun show for the foreseeable future as officials wait for word on

how they should handle such shows.

About 5,000 people are expected to descend upon the fairgrounds Nov. 27

and 28 to attend the show.

“We’ve been directed by the Division of Fairs not to enter into any new

contracts until they’ve given us direction as to the acceptable contract

terms and conditions,” said Becky Bailey-Findley, general manager of the

fairgrounds. The grounds are overseen by the state Department of Food and

Agriculture.

The show is sponsored by B&L; Productions. Admission is $7 and children

under 12 will be admitted free with their parents.

B&L; Productions officials were unavailable for comment.

Bailey-Findley said the fairgrounds’ gun shows, which usually are held

three to four times a year, have been safe and successful.

“They’re pretty well attended events,” she said, adding that she believes

gun shows held at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds attract twice as

many people.

The fairgrounds’ last gun show in August attracted about 10,000 people

with its mix of antique gun collections, rifles and pro-Second Amendment

pamphlets and brochures.

Bailey-Findley said the recent passage of Assembly Bill 295, which

requires gun show promoters to meet specific standards, and heated debate

over gun control at the national level have influenced the fairgrounds to

put a hold on future gun show contracts.

“We’re not exactly sure how [AB 295] will change our existing terms and

conditions,” she said, adding that she thinks most of the promoters who

work with the fairgrounds already comply with the new state law, which

goes into effect Jan. 1.

The standards include: requiring contracts between gun show producers and

vendors; that all firearms brought to the show are checked and tagged;

and that minors be accompanied by parents, grandparents or legal

guardians at all times.

A violation would result in a person being charged with an infraction or

misdemeanor crime.

California has more stringent laws concerning gun shows than most other

states. These include requiring background checks on anyone purchasing a

firearm at a gun show, and that gun sales are made through a federally

licensed dealer to ensure a record of sale.

At the federal level, anyone convicted of a felony or domestic violence

misdemeanor or anyone who has been involuntarily confined to a mental

institution, dishonorably discharged from the military or subject to a

domestic violence restraining order is barred from purchasing a gun.

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