Political shootout over Cow Palace
By: Andrea Koskey
Examiner Staff Writer
September 2, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO — With the close of this year’s legislative session fast approaching, a bill that would ban gun shows at the Cow Palace in Daly City is expected to go before the state Assembly by Sept. 11.
SB 585, authored by Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, was approved in a 21-18 vote by the state Senate in June.
The local community — the Cow Palace sits on the border of San Mateo County and San Francisco — doesn’t like the gun shows because they encourage illegal gun sales and violence, Leno told The Examiner. The location is near Sunnydale public housing, Visitation Valley and Bayview-Hunters Point, all neighborhoods with high crime rates.
“These parents don’t want this in the neighborhood,” he said. “Why disrespect them?”
But Cow Palace CEO Joe Barkett says the bill is backed by misconceptions about gun shows.
“There’s no evidence that shows these gun shows contribute to violence or crime,” he said. “Or that banning them reduces the crime rate.”
Barkett said organizers work closely with law enforcement to establish procedures for shows to protect the public.
“If there is someone who wants to participate in illegal activity, it is obvious they are not welcome at these shows,” Barkett said.
In 2002, supervisors passed legislation banning the possession of firearms at county facilities, effectively banning gun shows from the San Mateo Expo Center.
The Cow Palace is under the state jurisdiction, however, as part of California’s Agricultural District.
Prior legislation to ban gun shows at the Cow Palace has been introduced two other times: once by then-state Sen. Jackie Speier and by Leno when he was in the state Assembly.
“We believe this time is the charm,” Leno said.
In Alameda County, though, a similar ordinance that bans gun shows at its fairgrounds is being challenged by show promoters as a violation of their First Amendment right of free speech and Second Amendment right to bear arms. A federal appeals court announced in July that it will reconsider this month whether the county’s ban on gun shows at its fairgrounds is constitutional.
Leno’s office would not comment on whether a court outcome that reversed Alameda’s ban might impact a possible ban at the Cow Palace.
If passed, the Cow Palace would have three years to phase out the gun shows. If that happens, Barkett said he’s ready to abide by the law.
“Though it will be a significant loss in revenue,” Barkett said.
