Golden State Today

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of California Attorney General Rob Bonta, affirming the prohibition on firearms and ammunition sales on state property. The ruling came in response to two cases, B&L Productions, Inc. v. Newsom, which challenged recent legislation that bans such sales at locations including the Del Mar Fairgrounds in San Diego and the Orange County Fair & Event Center. Plaintiffs, including gun show promoter B&L Productions (B&L), argued that the prohibition infringed upon their First and Second Amendment rights.

“Guns should not be sold on property owned by the state, it is that simple,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Sales of illegal firearms and ammunition, and sales of firearms and ammunition to prohibited persons, have happened on state property and these laws will further help to prevent that going forward. This is another victory in the battle against gun violence in our state and country. I am thankful for all the hard work my team has put into this case, and we will continue to fight for commonsense gun laws in our communities.”

The three laws upheld by the Ninth Circuit were enacted between 2019 and 2022: Assembly Bill 893 (2019), Senate Bill 264 (2021), and Senate Bill 915 (2022). These laws specifically prohibit the sale of firearms and ammunition at designated state properties. The plaintiffs challenged these laws in two different district courts before their appeals were consolidated by the Ninth Circuit.

The California Department of Justice continues its efforts to combat gun violence associated with gun shows through various enforcement operations:

In August 2023, DOJ Special Agents conducted an operation at the Crossroads of the West Gun Show at Ontario Convention Center. They identified a subject prohibited from owning firearms due to a felony conviction who purchased parts for an AR-15 style rifle. A subsequent search revealed two handguns, two rifles (including one assault weapon), one shotgun, ten ammunition magazines, and approximately 3,000 rounds of ammunition.

In April 2023, during another operation at the same venue, agents arrested a felon purchasing ammunition magazines. A search warrant led to the seizure of multiple ghost guns, large-capacity magazines, standard capacity magazines, miscellaneous gun manufacturing parts, and over 700 rounds of ammunition.

Also in April 2023 at the Sacramento Gun Show held at McClellan Capitol Sports Center in McClellan Park, CA., agents seized approximately 5,462 large-capacity magazines from several vendors selling without permits along with other illegal weapons such as metal knuckles and switchblades.

In February 2024 at Big Chico Gun Show located at Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico CA., agents seized an assault weapon and an unserialized firearm precursor part from an individual attempting to sell them.

The decision by the Ninth Circuit Court can be accessed here.