A gun show organizing group has petitioned the Supreme Court to challenge California’s laws that restrict firearm sales on state property.
The legislation specifically prohibits gun and ammunition sales at locations like the Del Mar Fairgrounds and Orange County Fair and Event Center, with the state eventually extending these restrictions to all state-owned land.
The challenge comes after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the plaintiffs, determining that the laws didn’t significantly impact their constitutional rights. The challengers, including the Second Amendment Foundation, contend that these regulations effectively ban gun shows and violate speech rights associated with these events.
They point to a 1997 case where the 9th Circuit ruled that a local California government’s attempt to ban firearm sales at state fairground gun shows violated commercial speech rights. The challengers argue that California has now revived censorship of gun shows, with the 9th Circuit making a distinction between protected “offers for sale” and unprotected “acceptance” of sales.
Adam Kraut, the Second Amendment Foundation’s executive director, argues that California’s policies prevent law-abiding gun owners from gathering and conducting legitimate business on public property. He warns that both First and Second amendment rights are at risk if these restrictions continue.
The case, known as B&L Productions v. Gavin Newsom, requires four Supreme Court justices to vote in favor of hearing it for oral arguments to proceed.
Read more: Supreme Court asked to review California’s ban on gun shows on state land
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