O.C. Deputies to Add to Security Presence at Weekend Gun Show

The Orange County fairgrounds has asked sheriff’s deputies to help with security at this weekend’s gun show, which is expected to draw about 5,000 people and perhaps a handful of protesters.

It marks the first time that deputies have patrolled a gun show at the fairgrounds in Costa Mesa. At past gun shows, the fair relied on its own security.

“Because of the heightened awareness right now, we felt that it might help to have additional security there, so people would feel like they’re in a safe environment,” Becky Bailey-Findley, general manager of the Orange County Fair and Exposition Center, said Friday.

Last week’s shootings at a Granada Hills Jewish community center and the slaying of a letter carrier, as well as Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colo., have focused attention on weekend gun shows, where dealers and collectors meet to swap tales and weapons.

California legislators have responded with bills that would place new restrictions on gun shows. In addition, two Los Angeles supervisors are calling for an end to gun shows at the county fairgrounds in Pomona.

The state owns the Orange County fairgrounds, as well as fairgrounds in 51 other counties. The state’s Fairs and Expositions office, which regulates the operations, also has instructed fairgrounds officials not to enter into any new contracts with gun show promoters. Existing contracts will be honored.

Orange County fairgrounds officials already have agreed to let Crossroads of the West, based in Kaysville, Utah, hold two more gun shows this year in Costa Mesa--this weekend’s event and another in November.

Fair managers have received “about a dozen” letters regarding today’s show, Bailey-Findley said. Half of the letters supported gun shows; the others objected. In addition, about three or four people called to voice their opinion, she said.

The fairgrounds is an ideal venue for a gun show, said fair board member Donald Saltarelli.

“We only have legitimate dealers who obey all of the laws,” Saltarelli said. “It makes a legitimate enterprise even more legitimate.”

Because of the added interest, a small police presence will be outside Buildings 10 and 12, where the gun show will be held.

“We don’t anticipate any problems, this is just a precaution,” explained Sgt. Michael Tynes. “The deputies will just be a visual force on site, just as a presence to assist the fair security.”

Crossroads of the West has been holding gun shows in Orange County for 11 years without any major incidents, Bailey-Findley said.

“This promoter is very conscientious about making their exhibitors follow all state and federal laws,” she said. “We know that undercover officers are at any gun show, and we’ve never had them ever report that illegal transactions were taking place. We haven’t had any safety incidents or anything.”

The Orange County fairgrounds has hosted gun shows for nearly 25 years. The current promoter has produced the last 43 shows.

About 150 exhibitors, including about 30 gun dealers, will be at this weekend’s event. They will be joined by knife makers, western clothing makers, wildlife artists and T-shirt and beef jerky vendors.

The group also runs gun shows in San Francisco, San Mateo, Del Mar, Denver, Salt Lake City, Phoenix and Tucson.