The board of the 22nd District Agricultural Association, which oversees the Del Mar Fairgrounds, voted Tuesday not to approve gun shows in 2019 pending a policy review.
The decision means that shows already scheduled for Sept. 22 and 23 and Dec. 8 and 9 will be allowed to proceed, but no new contracts will be issued.
The board directed its staff to consider allowing gun shows for only educational and safety-training purposes and banning the possession of guns and ammunition on state property.
The action won quick praise from Assemblymember Todd Gloria, who represents the Del Mar area and has a major gun control bill awaiting Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature.
“I want to thank the 22nd District Agricultural Association board of directors for their action today to limit gun shows at the Del Mar Fairgrounds until a thorough policy is adopted,” Gloria said. “While I recognize this is a tough and often contentious issue, I believe we are now headed in the right direction thanks to the leadership of this board.”
He said the State of California and the Del Mar Fairgrounds by extension should not facilitate the sale of firearms.
Gun shows such as Crossroads of the West have been held at the fairgrounds for decades, but have drawn protests recently in the wake of deadly school shootings across the country.
The Never Again CA organization hailed the vote, saying in a tweet, “VICTORY as Del Mar Fair board voted 8 to 1 to suspend gun shows at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.”