End S.F. Gun Shows
The city of San Francisco wants to put an end to gun shows at the Cow Palace and is calling for state legislation to shut down the shows. The mayor is upset that illegal gun sales take place in the parking lot. There are between four-to-six gun shows a year at the Cow Palace and one happening this weekend. San Francisco city leaders want to try and ban gun shows at the Cow Palace. But there is a very particular action that will have to take place, simply because it's located on state property.
Ordinances banning gun possession on municipal property have been passed in at least four Bay Area counties since the late 1990s. That leaves the Cow Palace as one of the few venues still legally available to host a gun show - because it's on state property, owned by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Although the Cow Palace is technically in Daly City, San Francisco argues the gun shows often encourage illegal transactions in the parking lot and such guns are used in many shootings, including at San Francisco's Sunnydale housing project across the street from the Cow Palace.
The Mayor, District Attorney Kamala Harris, and Assemblyman Mark Leno are now jointly championing to introduce a bill to change state law and end the gun shows.
Kamala Harris, San Francisco District Attorney: "We want the state of California to recognize San Franciscans are dying on the streets. There's an absolute, direct connection between those deaths and the sale of guns happening here at the Cow Palace."
A spokesperson from the National Rifle Association argues that gun shows are a community event and that people are allowed to enjoy their second amendment rights.
Rachel parsons, NRA spokesperson: "The National Rifle Association stands behind law enforcement and believes that if the Mayor, District Attorney and Assemblyman are interested in curbing crime they should put more pressure on catching the criminals on the street and prosecuting them."
San Francisco's homicide rate has soared above last year's numbers to-date, which is encouraging more legal action.
Just last week, Mayor Newsom signed tough gun-control legislation - which requires owners keep guns in lock boxes or use trigger locks on them. The new law also prohibits the sale or possession of guns on city property, plus it requires firearms dealers to submit an inventory list to the Police Chief every six months.
As for how soon this bill will need to take affect - that is to be determined. Assemblyman Mark Leno will need to introduce this bill, it is called AB1668.
