Oxnard could join county in stating opposition to fairgrounds gun shows

George Alvary, right, and Juan Alvary look at guns for sale in this Jan. 12, 2012, file photo from the McMann's Roadrunner Gun Show at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura.

The Oxnard City Council could take a position on gun shows at the county fairgrounds and offshore oil drilling during its Tuesday meeting.

If agreed by the council, Mayor Tim Flynn will send a letter asking the Ventura County Fairgrounds board to stop hosting new gun shows at the state-owned facility. The letter, along with a resolution opposing fracking off the county’s coast, were discussed last month when the council directed the city staff to prepare the statements.

While the council unanimously directed staff to draft a resolution concerning offshore drilling, it voted 6-1, with Councilman Bryan MacDonald dissenting, on the letter to the fair board. MacDonald said fairground policies are outside Oxnard’s jurisdiction.

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Both issues were on the agenda at the request of Councilwoman Carmen Ramirez.

Ramirez said gun shows don’t belong in public spaces like the fairgrounds. She said her friend’s son was killed at a local bus stop.

“She passed by shortly after and she saw a gun show advertisement. Then she saw it again a year later,” Ramirez said.

The proposed letter drafted by the city attorney’s office asks the fair board to pursue other revenue-generating events. The letter states, “We, as the elected representatives of the city of Oxnard, respectfully request your board cease contracting for additional gun shows at the Ventura County Fairgrounds and pursue any necessary legal or legislative remedies to accomplish such action.” 

In November, the fair board voted to allow two gun shows this year as it studies a policy governing such shows. The most recent gun show was on Feb. 9 and 10.

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors in December voted to request the fair board to stop future gun shows. Supervisors also directed County Executive Officer Mike Powers to approach the county’s 10 cities asking them to take a similar position.

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In a separate motion, council will consider a resolution to oppose offshore drilling. The stated position is in response to President Donald Trump’s 2017 executive order to explore gas and oil drilling in the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans.

The proposed resolution states the city’s opposition to new oil and gas leases off the Ventura County coast and the expansion of such leases. The resolution also supports phasing out oil and gas extraction and the development of new renewable energy projects.

The council meeting begins an hour earlier than usual at 5 p.m. with a discussion of the comprehensive annual financial report. The meeting will be at the Council Chambers, 305 W. Third St.