Dozens speak for and against gun show ban at Ventura County Fairgrounds board meeting

People packed the Ventura County Fairgrounds board meeting Tuesday morning for a very hot topic up for discussion — should gun shows be banned from the Fairgrounds?

A vote wasn’t even on the agenda, but many attended the meeting just to step in during public comment.

“All it will take for these fairgrounds to close is one person, one gun, one death,” said Troy Corley, an anti-gun show activist to the board.

This is the second time activists showed up at a monthly board meeting.

Supporters of the ban hope the fairgrounds board will not renew a contract that is up in 2019 with Crossroads of the West Gun Show.

The company has hosted gun shows at the fairgrounds for years.

Martha Martinez-Bravo showed up to Tuesday’s meeting wearing an orange shirt reading “never again”. She says it’s not about taking guns away, it’s about removing gun shows on county property.

“I believe the board as leaders they have the obligation to understand that this is a public health issue and every step they take is going to affect the lives of people throughout Ventura County,” said Martinez-Bravo.

Sandi Henderson is an avid gun show attendee and spoke in opposition to the ban.

“Removing gun shows from Ventura Fairgrounds is one step closer to confiscating guns from gun owners…legally registered gun owners.”

Police officers stood at the doorway of Tuesday’s meeting. This, after a September meeting quickly turned heated while Bob Weiss spoke to the board. Weiss’ daughter, Veronika was killed during the Isla Vista shooting in 2014.

It is unknown when the board will make a decision by.

Meanwhile, there is a Crossroads of the West gun show on the event calendar for October 27th and 28th. There is also one scheduled in December 2018.