Crossroads of the West has filed a federal lawsuit against the 22nd District Agricultural Association, contending that its board’s decision to bar gun shows at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, Calif., is a violation of the plaintiffs’ First and Second Amendment rights.
“Regardless of how you feel about guns, we operate within compliance of law,” said Tracy Olcott, President and general manager of B&L Productions, which owns Crossroads.
The Fairgrounds put a stop to hosting gun shows in December, after NeverAgainCA pushed for it in the wake of the Parkland school shooting.
Rose Ann Sharp, an activist with NeverAgainCA, blasted the lawsuit as premature, saying that the Del Mar board did not “ban” gun shows, but rather issued a moratorium until the district can devise a policy regarding stringent operating rules for gun shows.
Crossroads typically hosts five gun shows per year at Del Mar.
By blocking gun shows, Crossroads said the company’s right to free speech, right to assembly, and rights regarding guns are being trampled on.
