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PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE - SPECIAL MEETING

Meeting Date:	03/11/2019
Subject: REVIEW OF BANNING GUN SHOWS AT THE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
Submitted For:	PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE
Department:	County Administrator
Referral No.:	N/A
Referral Name:	REVIEW OF BANNING GUN SHOWS AT THE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
Presenter:	Paul Reyes, Committee Staff	Contact:	Paul Reyes, 925-335-1096

Information

Referral History:

On October 9, 2018, the Board of Supervisors referred to the Public Protection Committee the topic of banning gun shows at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds and a review of regulations governing the purchase and sale of guns at gun shows. A copy of the Board's referral is attached.

On November 5, 2018, the Committee received an introduction to the referral and received a correction that the Board referral had incorrectly stated that Senate Bill 221 was signed into law by the Governor. Although Senate Bill 221 passed the legislature, the bill was actually vetoed by the Governor on September 28, 2018. (A copy of the Governor's Veto Message is attached.) The Committee acknowledged that there are limited options to pursue in prohibiting the possession or sales of firearms on the County fairgrounds due to it being owned and operated by a state institution. The Committee directed staff to forward to the full Board of Supervisors a letter to the Board of the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds outlining the County's concerns of hosting gun shows at the fairgrounds, including a request to ban gun shows at the fairgrounds.

On December 4, 2018, the Board of Supervisors authorized the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign a letter to the 23rd Agricultural Association to convey the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors' support of a policy prohibiting the possession and sale of firearms on the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds.

Referral Update:

On January 9, 2019 the Board of Directors of the 23rd District Agricultural Association (DAA) reviewed and discussed the letter from the County Board of Supervisors. The 23rd DAA Board approved a motion to continue gun shows at the Fairgrounds. A copy of the meeting minutes is attached.

There is continued local interest in eliminating gun shows at the Cow Palace. As previously discussed, the Cow Palace is owned by Agricultural District 1-A, also a state institution. On Feburary 13, 2019, Senator Scott Weiner and Assemblymember Phil Ting introduced legislation (SB 281) to ban the sale of guns and ammunition at the Cow Palace. In addition to banning gun and ammunition sales, SB 281 would also transfer the state-owned venue’s entire 68-acre property from the hands of the California Department of Food and Agriculture to a locally controlled joint powers authority. The proposed Cow Palace Joint Powers Authority would then have full control over the site. Attached is a copy of the SB 281.

Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):

1. ACCEPT an update on the Board of Supervisor's letter requesting the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds to ban gun shows; and

2. PROVIDE direction to staff on next steps.

Attachments
BOS Referral
Governor's Veto Message
BOS Letter
Fair Board January Meeting Minutes
SB 281