SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Assemblymember Todd Gloria, D-San Diego, praised state lawmakers for sending a bill to the governor that would restrict gun shows at Del Mar Fairgrounds.
Assembly Bill 893 would ban the sale of guns or ammunition anywhere on the Del Mar Fairgrounds property beginning in 2021, according to Gloria's office. The bill passed the California Senate 27-11 Tuesday.
Anyone who violates the bill could face a misdemeanor charge, according to the bill.
Gloria is a co-author of the legislation alongside Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner-Horvath, D-Encinitas, and Assemblywomen Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego.
“This is a victory for gun sense and making our communities safer in San Diego,” said Gloria.“This bill is about offering more than thoughts and prayers. It’s about policy and action and listening to the communities around the Fairgrounds who no longer want these events taking place. In California, we value people over guns and this bill makes that clear."
Gov. Gavin Newsom has until Oct. 13 to sign or veto the legislation.
Gun shows at the fairgrounds has been hotly debated over the last year. In September 2018, the 22nd DAA's Board of Directors voted to temporarily suspend gun shows at the Del Mar Fairgrounds until the state developed new safety policies around them. The decision ended the Crossroads of the West gun show's contract with the fairgrounds after nearly three decades.
In February 2019, the three Assemblymembers introduced AB 893 into the state Assembly. The bill passed the Assembly 48-16 in April.
Then in June 2019, a judge ruled that gun shows could continue at the fairgrounds while the court considered a lawsuit against the fairground's decision to suspend the shows.
Throughout the the back-and-forth, the legislation has been opposed by the NRA, Gun Owners of California, and the California Rifle and Pistol Association.
