HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12072004 - D3 To: BOARD of SUPERVISORS
@ , .. Contra.
FROM: Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier ;� ✓'
Supervisor John Gioia F Ak Costa
County
DATE-DATE: December 7, 2004 y
SUBJECT: Gun Shows at Contra Costa County Fairground 21)113
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOM ENT"lATIQNS:
1. Coi'`•TVEY to the 23rd District Agricultural Association(the body that oversees activities and
events held at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds)the Centra Costa County Board of
Supervisors' support of a policy prohibiting the use of the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds'
property for events promoting and offering the sale of guns, firearms, and ammunition.
2. DIRECT the County Counsel to determine whatever additional actions should be taken by the
Board.of Supervisors to further implement its opposition to these activities.
Contra Costa County does not administer or oversee the Contra Costa County Fairground site
located on state property in Antioch. Contra Costa County may only urge the 23rd District
Agricultural Association representatives, appointed by the governor, to take our position under
consideration.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: _
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE-^ -
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
--------------_------_----------------------..._-_----_------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACTION OF BOARD ONDE EMBER 7,2004 _ _APPROVE AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER X
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
X UNANIMOUS{ABSENT NONE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE
AYES: NOES: SHOWN.
ABSENT: ABSTAIN:
ATTESTED: DECEMBER 7,2004
CONTACT: JOHN SWEETEN,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
CC: COUNTY COUNSEL
By . .i ,
4
s'',� .s"�.� ,DEPUTY
In 1996, The Contra.Costa County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution requesting the
Contra Costa County Fair Board discontinue gun shows at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds.
The Fair Board held a public hearing on the request and unanimously voted to continue to allow
gun shows at the Fairgrounds.
Gun-related violence directly threatens the lives of innocent youth and adults. More than 9,000
youth under the age of 20 have died from gun-related injuries in California since 1991. This
includescountless young people who have died or been severely wounded in Contra Costa
County from firearm injuries.
Gun shows at California State Agricultural.Districts promote and proliferate firearms in
communities already plagued by gun violence. Weapons are sold at these events that have the
potential to imperil our national security, as they can contribute to arsenals for terrorists. The
California Department of Justice has purchased illegal weapons,including assault weapons and a
grenade launcher at a California gun show.
Alameda,Marin, Sonoma, and San Mateo counties have banned the possession of guns and
ammunition on county property, and Los Angeles County has banned gun sales on its county
fairgrounds. On October 4, 2004, the C.T.S. Supreme Court let stand a lower court's ruling
upholding the Alameda County ordinance. However,the county fairgrounds in Alameda, Marin,
Sonoma:, San Mateo, and Los Angeles counties are subject to local control and are not state
Agricultural Districts. The Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch, in contrast, is on state
property governed by the 23'a District Agricultural Association.
ADDENDUM
D.3 December 7, 2004
On this date the Board considered conveying to the 23rd District Agricultural Association
the Board of Supervisors' support of a policy prohibiting the use of the Contra Costa
County Fairgrounds for events promoting and offering the sale of guns, firearms, and
ammunition and directing the County Counsel to determine whatever additional actions
can be taken by the Board to further implement its opposition to these activities.
Supervisor DeSaulnier noted for the record that Contra Costa County does not administer
or oversee the Contra Costa County Fairground site located on state property in Antioch,
but recommended the 23d District Agricultural Association representatives, appointed
by the Governor,to take this matter under consideration.
Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier further reiterated gun-related violence threatened the lives
of innocent youth and adults, and more than 9,004 youth under the age of 20 which
included countless young people in Contra Costa County have died.
The Chair invited the public to comment. The following individuals spoke:
Andres Soto, (Richmond Progressive Alliance)2420 Lowell Avenue, Richmond;
Diane Barde, (Contra Costa Million Mom March), 2021 Ellington Terrace,
Pleasant Hill;
Phyllis Ceaser, (League of Women Voters),22 San Jose Court,Walnut Creek;
Juliet Leftwich, (Legal Community Against Violence), 721 Spruce Street,
Berkeley;
Robert Leach, 119 Ready Road, Walnut Creek
After further discussions, the Board made the following recommendations:
L CONVEY to the 23rd District Agricultural Association (the body that oversees
activities and events held at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds) the
Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors'support of a policy prohibiting
the sales or possession of guns,firearms, and ammunition in the Contra Costa
County Fairgrounds'property;
2. DIRECTED the County Counsel to determine whatever additional actions
should be taken by the Board of Supervisors to further implement its
opposition to these activities;
3. COMMUNICATE to the Governor and our legislative delegation indicating
our actions today, and asking, or their support of our position prohibiting the
sales and possession of guns,firearms and ammunition at the Contra Costa
County Fairgrounds.
The vote on the motion was as follows:
AYES:Supervisors Gioia, Uilkema, Greenberg, DeSaulnier and Glover
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
The motion passed by unanimous vote with all Supervisors present.
THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF ®!ASLO VALLEY
500 ST.MARY'S ROAD,#14,THE BOARDROOM,LAFAYETTE,CALIFORNIA 94549(925)2832235
It is a policy of the the League of Women Voters of the United States to protect the health
and safety of citizens through limiting the accessibility and regulating the ownership of
handguns and semi-automatic weapons. The League feels the regulation of firearms is
necessary for consumer safety. For these reasons the League urges the Board to adopt a
policy to prohibit the use of the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds for events promoting
and offering the sale of guns, firearms and ammunition.We also support the Board taping
whatever additional actions are necessary to implement its opposition to the gun shows.
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Gun Violence: Justice Department Study Shows 79 Percent of Criminals Obtained Firearms
From Illegal Sources
By Jim Kouri, CPP
MichNews.com
Dec 1 , 2044 u
httpJ/Www.michnews:comlartm nt ublishlarticle 5932Wshtmi
Ninety-five percent of US police commanders and sheriffs believe most criminals obtain their firearms from illegal sources,
according to a survey released by the National Association of Chiefs of Police. Coincidentally, data released by the US
Department of Justice appears to confirm this claim by our nation's police executives. The DOJ study refutes the
conventional wisdom that guns used in criminal acts are purchased at retail stores or gun shows.
About 18 percent of state prisoners and 15 percent of federal prisoners reported that they were armed when they
committed the offense for which they were imprisoned, according to the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics.
In the interviews, an estimated 9 percent of state prisoners and 2 percent of federal prisoners reported that they fired their
weapon during the commission of the crime.
The data were obtained from personal interviews with a nationally representative sample of more than 18,000 state and
federal prisoners, the largest survey of prison inmates sponsored by the federal government.
Among those who carried a firearm during the offense for which they were sent to prison, about 8 percent of the state and
federal prisoners carried a military-style, semiautomatic weapon. `these firearms included the UZI, Tec-9, and MAC-10
handguns, the AR-15, and AK-47 rifles and the"Street5weeper"shotguns. Possession of these models which meet certain
criteria as contained in the Federal statute can be unlawful. The firearm most favored by the inmates was a handgun
which was carried by more than 80 percent of the armed inmates.
Among inmates convicted of non-violent crimes, about 8 percent of state prisoners and almost 12 percent of federal
prisoners were carrying a firearm at the time of the property, drug or public order offense that resulted in their
imprisonment. Of those inmates who were incarcerated for a violent crime "? murder, rape, sexual attack, robbery and
assault ? 30 percent of state prisoners and 35 percent of federal prisoners reported they used or possessed a gun when
they committed the offense:
Male offen ders. younger offenders, offenders from racial and ethnic minority groups and offenders without prior convictions
were the most likely to have been carrying a firearm at the time of the offense. About 15 percent of state offenders who had
been on probation or parole prior to their admission to prison reported that they had been armed at the time of the offense
that led to their incarceration.
Twenty-seven percent of the state prisoners who victimized a current or former spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend were armed
while committing the crime, and about 8 percent used a firearm against other relatives, such as children, siblings and other
family members.
About 40 percent of state inmates and 56 percent of federal inmates who carried a gun during the offense for which they
were incarcerated were given sentence enhancements because of their firearm use. Those carrying firearms also received
longer sentences than those without guns. Sentences for state inmates who had firearms averaged 18 years of
incarceration, compared to 12 years for those without firearms.
Inmates serving time in state prisons said they obtained their guns from the following sources in percentages:
Purchased from a retail store 8.3%
Purchased at a pawn shop 3.8%
Purchased at a flea market 1.0%
Purchased at a gun show 0.7%
Obtained from friends or family 39.6%
Obtained on the street/illegal source 39.2%
Gun Violence: Justice Department Study Shaws 79 Percent of Criminals Obtained Firearms
From illegal Sources
By Jim Kauri CPP
Michhlews.com
Dec 1 , 2044
htt :llwv w michnews:com/ rtm 5932.shtmi
Ninety-five percent of US police commanders and sheriffs believe most criminals obtain their firearms from illegal sources,
according to a survey released by the National Association of Chiefs of Police. Coincidentally, data released by the US
Department of Justice appears to confirm this claim by our nation's police executives. The DOJ study refutes the
conventional wisdom that guns used in criminal acts are purchased at retail stares or gun shows.
About 18 percent of state prisoners and 15 percent of federal prisoners reported that they were armed when they
committed the offense for which they were imprisoned, according to the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics.
In the interviews, an estimated 9 percent of state prisoners and 2 percent of federal prisoners reported that they fired their
weapon during the commission of the crime.
The data were obtained from personal interviews with a nationally representative sample of more than 18,000 state and
federal prisoners, the largest survey of prison inmates sponsored by the federal government.
Among those who carried a firearm during the offense for which they were sent to prison; about 8 percent of the state and
federal prisoners carried a military-style, semiautomatic weapon. These firearms included the UZI, Tec-9, and MAC-10
handguns, the AR-15, and AK-47 rifles and the"StreetSweeper" shotguns. Possession of these models which meet certain
criteria as contained in the Federal statute can be unlawful. The firearm most favored by the inmates was a handgun,
which was carried by more than 80 percent of the armed inmates.
Among inmates convicted of non-violent crimes, about 8 percent of state prisoners and almost 12 percent of federal
prisoners were carrying a firearm at the time of the property, drug or public order offense that resulted in their
imprisonment: Of those inmates who were incarcerated for a violent crime ? murder, rape, sexual attack, robbery and
assault ? 30 percent of state prisoners and 35 percent of federal prisoners reported they used or possessed a gun when
they committed the offense.
Male offeriders, younger offenders, offenders from racial and ethnic minority groups and offenders without prior convictions
were the most likely to have been carrying a firearm at the time of the offense.About 15 percent of state offenders who had
been on probation or parole prior to their admission to prison reported that they had been armed at the time of the offense
that led to their incarceration.
Twenty-seven percent of the state prisoners who victimized a current or former spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend were armed
while committing the crime, and about 8 percent used a firearm against other relatives, such as children, siblings and other
family members.
About 40 percent of state inmates and 56 percent of federal inmates who carried a gun during the offense for which they
were incarcerated were given sentence enhancements because of their firearm use. Those carrying firearms also received
longer sentences than these without guns. Sentences for state inmates who had firearms averaged 18 years of
incarceration, compared to 12 years for those without firearms.
Inmates serving time in state prisons said they obtained their guns from the following sources in percentages:
Purchased from a retail store 8.3%
Purchased at a pawn shop 3.8%
Purchased at a flea market 1.0%
Purchased at a gun show 0.7%
Obtained from friends or family 39.6%
Obtained on the street/illegal source 39.2%
The Board of Supervisors Contra Costa John Sweeten
County Clerk of the Board
County Administration Building and
651 Fine Street, Room 106 County Administrator
Martinez, California 94553-1293 (925) 335-1900
V-925-335-1080 .
F-925-335-1098
JOHN Q01A, 1$T DISTRICT
GAYLE S.UILKEMA,2N0 DISTRICT
MILLIE GREENBERG,3"D DISTRICT
MARK DESAULNIER,4T"DISTRICT
FEDERAL D.GLovER,5T"DISTRICT
December 10, 2004
Lori Marshall, Chief Executive Office
23rd District Agricultural Association
1201 West 10h Street
Antioch, CA 94509
Dear IVIS. Marshall:
In 1996,the Centra Costa County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution requesting the Contra
Costa County Fair Board discontinue gun shows at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds. The
Fair Board held a public hearing on the request and unanimously voted to continue to allow gun
shows at the Fairgrounds.
Gun-related violence directly threatens the lives of innocent youth and adults. More than 9,000
youth under the age of 20 have died from gun-related injuries in California since 1991. This
includes countless young people who have died or been severely wounded in Contra Costa
County from firearm injuries.
Gun shows at California State Agricultural Districts promote and proliferate firearms in
communities already plagued by gun violence. Weapons sold at these events have the potential
to imperil our national security, as they can contribute to arsenals for terrorists. The California
Department of Justice has purchased illegal weapons, including assault weapons and a grenade
launcher, at a California gun show.
Alameda, Marin, Sonoma, and San Mateo counties have banned the possession of guns and
ammunition on county property,and Los Angeles County has banned gun sales on its county
fairgrounds. On October 4,2004,the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a lower court's ruling
upholding the Alameda County ordinance. However,the county fairgrounds in Alameda,Marin,
Sonoma, San Mateo, and Los Angeles counties are subject to local control and are not state
Agricultural Districts. The Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch, in contrast,is on state
property governed by the 23rd District Agricultural Association.
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, on December 7,2004, unanimously reaffirmed
its support of a policy prohibiting the sales or possession of guns,firearms, and ammunition in
the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds' property, and respectfully requests the 23rd District
Agricultural Association to reconsider its policy of permitting these activities to occur on public
property.
-23'4 District Agricultural Association December 10,2004
Gun Shows on County Fairgrounds Page 2
Sincerely,
t
F DERAL D. GLOVER
Chairman, Supervisor-District V
Page 2
The Board of Supervisors Contra Costa John Sweeten
Clerk of the Board
County and
County Administration Building County Administrator
651 Pine Street, Room 106 _ (925) 335-19003
Martinez, California 94553-1293
V-925-335-1080 ''
F-925-335-1098 n`
JOHN GtotA,1"T DISTRICT
GAYLE B.UILKEMA,2"°DISTRICT
MILLIE GREENBERG,3'DISTRICT
MARK DESAULMER,4""DiSTRlcT
FEoERAL D.GLoveR,r DISTRICT
December 10,2004
The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor of the State of California
1 st Flog, State Capitol
Sacramento,CA 95814
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:
in 1996,the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution requesting the Contra
Costa County Fair Board discontinue gun shows at the Centra Costa County Fairgrounds. The
Fair Board held a public hearing on the request and unanimously voted to continue to allow gun
shows at the Fairgrounds.
Gran-related violence directly threatens the lives of innocent youth and adults. More than 9,000
youth under the age of 20 have died from gun-related injuries in California since 1991. This
includes countless young people who have died or been severely wounded in Contra Costa
County from firearm injuries.
Gun shows at California State Agricultural Districts promote and proliferate firearms in
communities already plagued by gun violence.Weapons sold at these events have the potential
to imperil our national security,as they can contribute to arsenals for terrorists. The California
Department of Justice has purchased illegal weapons,including assault weapons and a grenade
launcher,at a California gun show.
Alameda,Marin,Sonoma,and San Mateo counties have banned the possession of guns and
ammunition on county property, and Los Angeles County has banned gun sales on its county
fairgrounds. On October 4,2004,the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a lower court's ruling
upholding the Alameda County ordinance. However,the county fairgrounds in Alameda, Marin,
Sonoma, San Mateo,and Los Angeles counties are subject to local control and are not state
Agricultural.Districts. The Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch,in contrast,is on state
property governed by the 23rd District Agricultural.Association.
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors,on December 7,2004,unanimously reaffirmed
its support of a policy prohibiting the sales or possession of guns,firearms,and ammunition in
the Contra.Costa County Fairgrounds' property,and has requested the 23rd Distract Agricultural.
Association to reconsider its policy of permitting these activities to occur on public property.
23r4 District Agricultural Association December 10,2004
Gun Shows on County Fairgrounds Page 2
We ask for your support and assistance in achieving a change in policy that would ban gun sales
and promotion on state property located within Contra Costa County.
Sincerely,
EDERAL,D. GLOVER
Chairman, Supervisor-District V
hn
The Beard of Supervisors Contra Costa Clerk ofSweeten g and
County and
County Administration Building County Administrator
651 Fine Street, Room 106 (925)335-1900
Martinez, California 94553-1293 f,. -' ti•
V-925-335-1080
F-925-335-1098
.JOHN G`iiotA, 1'' DISTRICT $"
GAYLE B.UILKEmA,2"0 DISTRICT
MILLI£GREENBERG,3m DISTRICT
MARK CIESAULNIER,4T"DISTRICT
FEDERAL D.GLovER,5T"DISTRICT
December 10,2004
Assembly Member Joe Canciamilla
Capital Building 42141
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Joe;
In 1996, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution requesting the Contra
Costa County Fair Board discontinue gun shows at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds. The
Fair Board held a public hearing on the request and unanimously voted to continue to allow gun
shows at the Fairgrounds.
Gun-related violence directly threatens the lives of innocent youth and adults. More than 9,000
youth under the age of 20 have died from gun-related injuries in California since 1991. This
includes countless young people who have died or been severely wounded in Contra Costa
County from firearm injuries.
Gun shows at California State Agricultural Districts promote and proliferate firearms in
communities already plagued by gun violence. Weapons sold at these events have the potential
to imperil our national security, as they can contribute to arsenals for terrorists.The California
Department of Justice has purchased illegal weapons, including assault weapons and a grenade
launcher, at a California gun show.
Alameda, Marin, Sonoma,and San Mateo counties have banned the possession of guns and
ammunition on county property,and Los Angeles County has banned gun sales on its county
fairgrounds. On October 4, 2004,the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a lower court's ruling
upholding the Alameda County ordinance. However,the county fairgrounds in Alameda,Marin,
Sonoma:, San Mateo,and Los Angeles counties are subject to local control and are not state
Agricultural Districts. The Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch, in contrast,is on state
property governed by the 23rd District Agricultural Association.
The Centra Costa County Board of Supervisors, on December 7, 2004,unanimously reaffm ed
its support of a policy prohibiting the sales or possession of guns, firearms, and ammunition in
the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds' property, and has requested the 23rd District Agricultural
Association to reconsider its policy of permitting these activities to occur on public property.
We ask for your support and assistance in achieving a change in policy that would ban gun sales
and promotion on state property located within Contra Costa County.
23'd Di9trrct Agricultural Association December 10,2004
Gua Shows on County Fairgrounds page 2
Sincerely,
3
EDERAL D. GLOVER
Chairman, Supervisor-District V
The Board of Supervisors Contra Costa John Sweeten
Clerk of the Board
County and
County Administration Building County Administrator
651 Rine Street, Room 106 (925)335-1900
Martinez, California 94553-1293 ,,
V-925-335-1080
F-925-336-1098
JOHN GIOIA, 1sT DISTRICT
GAYLE B.UILKEmA,2""0ISTRICT
MILLIE GREENBERG,3*DiSTRICT
MARK 13ESAULt+tIER,4T"d1sTRiCT
FEDERAL D.GLOvF-R,5TH'DISTRICT
December 10,2004
Assembly Member Guy Houston
Capitol'Building#4208
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Assembly Member Houston.:
In 1996,the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution requesting the Centra
Costa County Fair Board discontinue gun shows at the Centra Costa County Fairgrounds. The
Fahr Board held a public hearing on the request and unanimously voted to continue to allow gun
shows at the Fairgrounds.
Gun-related violence directly threatens the lives of innocent youth and adults. More than 9,000
youth under the age of 20 have died from gun-related injuries in California since 1991. This
includes countless young people who have died or been severely wounded in Centra Costa
County from firearm.injuries.
Chin shows at California State Agricultural Districts promote and proliferate firearms in
cc rnmunities already plagued by gun violence. Weapons sold at these events have the potential
to imperil our national security, as they can contribute to arsenals for terrorists. The California.
Department of Justice has purchased illegal weapons,including assault weapons and a grenade
launcher,at a California gun shove.
Alameda,Marin, Sonoma,and San Mateo counties have banned the possession of guns and
ammunition on county property, and Los Angeles County has banned gun sales on its county
fairgrounds. On October 4,2004,the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a lower court's ruling
upholding the Alameda County ordinance. However,the county fairgrounds in Alameda,Marin,
Sonoma,San Mateo,and Los Angeles counties are subject to local control and are not state
Agricultural Districts. The Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch,in contrast,is on state
property governed by the 23rd District Agricultural Association.
The Contra Costa.County.Board of Supervisors, on December 7,2004,unanimously reaffirmed
its support of a policy prohibiting the sales or possession of guns,firearms, and ammunition in
the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds' property, and has requested the 23`d District Agricultural
Association to reconsider its policy of permitting these activities to occur on public property.
We ask for your support and assistance in achieving a change in policy that would ban gun sales
and promotion on state property located within Contra.Costa County.
23''District Agricultural Association December 10,2004
Gun Shows on County Fairgrounds Page 2
Sincerely,
DERAL D. GLOVER.
Chairman, Supervisor-District V
The Board of Supervisors Contra Costa Jahn Sweeten
Clerk of the Board
County and
County Administration Building County Administrator
651 Pine Street, doom 106 (925)335-1900
Martinez, California 94553-9293
V-925-335-9080 «
F-925-335-1098 Y?
i
JOHN 1 IOTA,1"T DISTRICT
GAYLE B.UILKEMA,2`O DISTRICT
MILLIE GRE;ENrBERG,r DISTRICT
MARK DESAI3MER,4'DISTRICT
FEoERAL D.GLovER,r DISTRICT
December 10, 2004
Assembly Member Loni Hancock
Capitol lBuilding#4139
Sacramento,CA 95814
Dear Assembly Member Hancock:
In 1996,the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution requesting the Contra
Costa County pair Board discontinue gun shows at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds. The
Fair Board held a public hearing on the request and unanimously voted to continue to allow gun
shows at the Fairgrounds.
Gun-related violence directly threatens the lives of innocent youth and adults. More than 9,000
youth under the age of 20 have died from gun-related injuries in California since 1991. This
includes countless young people who have died or been severely wounded in Contra Costa
County from firearm injuries.
Gun shows at California State Agricultural Districts promote and proliferate firearms in
communities already plagued by gun violence. Weapons sold at these events have the potential
to imperil our national security,as they can contribute to arsenals for terrorists. The California
Department of Justice has purchased illegal weapons, including assault weapons and a grenade
launcher,at a California gun show.
Alameda,Marin, Sonoma,and San Mateo counties have banned the possession of guns and
ammunition on county property,and Los Angeles County has banned gun sales on its county
fairgrounds. Can October 4,2004,the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a lower court's ruling
upholding the Alameda County ordinance. However,the county fairgrounds in Alameda, Marin,
Sonoma,San Mateo,and Los Angeles counties are subject to local control and are not state
Agricultural Districts. The Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch,in contrast,is on state
property governed.by the 23`d District Agricultural Association.
The Contra.Costa.County Board of Supervisors,on December 7, 2004,unanimously reaffirmed
its support of a policy prohibiting the sales or possession of guns,firearms,and ammunition in
the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds' property,and has requested the 23°District Agricultural
Association to reconsider its policy of permitting these activities to occur on public property.
We ask for your support and assistance in achieving a change in policy that would ban gun sales
and promotion on state property located within Contra Costa County.
23'd DiAtrict Agricultural Association December 10,2004
Gun Shows on County Fairgrounds Page 2
Sincerely,
EDERAL D. GLOVER
Chairman, Supervisor-District V
The Board of Supervisors Contra Costa John Sweeten
Clerk of the Board
County and
County Administration Building County Administrator
651 Fine Street, Room 1036 (925)335419030
Martinez, California 94553-1293 •� ''
V-925.335-18803
F-925-335-11398
JoHN GIoIA, 18F DISTRICT ..>�
GAYLE B.UILKEIVIA,2'DISTRICT _
MILLIE GREENBERG,Sw DISTRICT
MARK DESAULNIER,4'DISTRICT
FEDERAL D.GLOVER,r DISTRICT
December 10,2004
Senator Don Perata
Capitol Building#313
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Senator Perata:
In 1996,the Centra.Costa.County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution requesting the Contra
Costa County Fair Board discontinue gun shows at the Centra Costa County Fairgrounds. The
Fair Beard held a public hearing can the request and unanimously voted to continue to allow gun
shows at the Fairgrounds.
Gun-related violence directly threatens the lives of innocent youth and adults. More than 9,000
youth under the age of 20 have died from gun-related injuries in California since 1991. This
includes countless young people who have died or been severely wounded in Contra Costa
County from firearm injuries.
Gun shows at California State Agricultural Districts promote and proliferate firearms in
communities already plagued by gun violence. Weapons sold at these events have the potential
to imperil our national security,as they can contribute to arsenals for terrorists. The California
Department of Justice has purchased illegal weapons,including assault weapons and a grenade
launcher, at a California gun show.
Alameda,Marin,Sonoma,and San Mateo counties have banned the possession of guns and
ammunition on county property,and Los Angeles County has banned gun sales on its county
fairgrounds. On October 4, 2004,the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a lower court's ruling
upholding the Alameda County ordinance. however,the county fairgrounds in Alameda,Marin,
Sonoma,San Mateo,and Los Angeles counties are subject to local control and are not state
Agricultural Districts. The Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch, in contrast,is on state
propertygoverned by the 23rd District Agricultural Association.
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors,on December 7,2004,unanimously reaffirmed
its support of a policy prohibiting the sales or possession of guns,firearms,and ammunition in
the Contra.Costa County Fairgrounds' property,and has requested the 23�d District Agricultural
Association to reconsider its policy of permitting these activities to occur on public property.
We ask for your support and assistance in achieving a change in policy that would ban gun sales
and promotion on state property located within Contra Costa County.
__. . .
_...
23"d District Agricultural Association December 10,2004
Gun Shows on County Fairgrounds Page 2
Sincerely,
EDERAL D. GLOVER
Chai nan, Supervisor-District V
The Board of Supervisors Contra Costs John Sweeten
Clerk of the Board
County
County Administration Building and
651 Pine Street, Room 106 County Administrator
Martinez, California 94553-1293jL9 ` (925}335-1900
V-925-335-1080 *i
F-925-335-1098
�y
JOHN GIOFA, 1"TDISTRICT
GAYLE B.UILKEMA,2*"DISTRicT
MiLus GReemsERG,r DisTRiCT
MARK€)ESAULNIEit,4:`DISTRICT
FEDERAL 1).G ovm 5'DISTRICT
December 10,2004
Senator Tom Torlkson
Capitol Building#5061
Sacramento,CA 95814
Dear Tom:
In 1996,the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution requesting the Centra
Crista County Fair Board discontinue gun shows at the Contra Costa.County Fairgrounds. The
Fair Board held a public hearing on the request and unanimously voted to continue to allow gun
shows at the Fairgrounds.
Gun-related violence directly threatens the lives of innocent youth and adults. More than 9,000
youth under the age of 20 have died from gun.-related injuries in California since 1991. This
includescountless young people who have died or been severely wounded in Contra.Costa
County from firearm injuries.
Gun shoves at California State Agricultural.Districts promote and proliferate firearms in
communities already plagued by gun violence. Weapons sold at these events have the potential
to imperil our national security, as they can contribute to arsenals for terrorists. The California
Department of Justice has purchased illegal weapons, including assault weapons and a grenade
launcher,at a California gun show.
Alameda, Marin, Sonoma,and San Mateo counties have banned the possession of guns and
ammunition on county property, and Los Angeles County has banned gun sales on its county
fairgrounds. On October 4, 2004,the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a lower court's ruling
upholding the Alameda County ordinance. However,the county fairgrounds in Alameda,Marin,
Sonoma,'San Mateo, and Los Angeles counties are subject to local control and are not state
Agricultural Districts. The Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch, in contrast,is on state
property governed by the 23Fd District Agricultural Association.
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors,on December 7,2004,unanimously reaffirmed
its support of a policy prohibiting the sales or possession of guns,firearms,and ammunition in
the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds' property, and has requested the 23rd District Agricultural
Association to reconsider its policy of permitting these activities to occur on public property.
We ash for your support and assistance in achieving a change in policy that would ban gun sales
and promotion on state property located within Contra Costa County.
2P Diftrict Agricultural Association December 10,2004
Gun Shows on County Fairgrounds Page 2
Sincerely,
3
EDERAL D. GLOVED.
Chairman, Supervisor-District V