October 1st marked the one-year anniversary of the Las Vegas mass shooting, where 59 innocent people were murdered, and more than 500 others were injured. This November 7th, some of the survivors went through the same trauma again at our popular dance spot, the Borderline. 12 people died, including an armed law enforcement officer.
We are beyond “thoughts and prayers” over gun violence.
We have learned from this last election, that regular citizens, with both individual and group actions, can profoundly change this world for the better.
Here is what you can do right now and this is what we can do together.
Action #1 – Sign and share this petition
Take an action TODAY to end the proliferation of guns via the gun shows at the Ventura County Fairgrounds and our state profiting off of gun and ammunition sales. Help end the CROSSROADS of THE WEST (COTW) contract with Ventura County . (See “Background” below regarding some highly problematic issues with this promoter.)
https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/stop-gunshows-at-the
Action #2 – Call the County Fair Board at (805) 648-3376
Minimal script: I live in Ventura County and I ask that you not re-new the contract with Crossroads of the West Gun Shows, and that you end ALL gun shows at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, a state-owned property.
Action #3 – Email the County Fair Board
Email: Barbara Quaid at: bquaid@venturacountyfair.org
Write a letter or postcard: Ventura County Fair Board, 10 West Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001, Attn. Barbara Quaid, CEO
Sample script (mix it up): Dear Ventura County, Fair Board Directors: I live in Ventura County and I ask that you not re-new the contract with Crossroads of the West Gun Shows, and that you end ALL gun shows at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, a state-owned property. As a taxpayer and resident, I believe that no state agency should promote or profit from the proliferation of firearms and ammunition. The advertisement of firearms when viewed by children have a negative impact on their health and well-being. I believe it is your responsibility to find other financial means to support our 31st Agricultural District.
Additional script if you want it: We are requesting that law enforcement be present at your next Ventura County Fairgrounds Meeting on October 23rd in order to provide a safe environment for community speakers.
Action #4 – Save the date (11/27) and show up.
Facebook link here. Show up, speak or be a supporter on Tuesday 11/27rd at 8:30 a.m. at the Ventura County Fairgrounds Board of Directors meeting! It will be held on the fairgrounds at the Derby Club building, 10 West Harbor Blvd. Ventura, CA 93001. Parking is free.
Background
Crossroads of the West is no longer run by a gun law violator. Bob Templeton, former board president of the family-owned B&L Productions, was convicted of a felony unlawful firearm sale in 1980 and his son, Jeff Templeton, former board vice president, was convicted on weapons and drug charges in 2003. Both have stepped down and are no longer officers.
A certificate of eligibility, or COE, is required in California for all prospective firearms dealers, gun show promoters and others. It confirms the Department of Justice has conducted a background check and determined the recipient is not prohibited from acquiring or possessing firearms.
Although he has held gun shows at the Del Mar fairgrounds for 28 years — and other venues statewide — Templeton said he has never applied for or been issued a COE because his wife and daughter manage the shows.
Bob’s daughter Tracy Olcott, who has no convictions, is now president and general manager of the company.
This show has a direct connection to the Las Vegas Massacre. Stephen Paddock purchased bullets from a vendor he met at the Crossroads of The West Gun Shows. The vendor, Douglas Haig, was approved for the Crossroads gun shows in Las Vegas and Phoenix even though his website, called “Specialized Military Ammunition”, advertised high explosive armor-piercing (AP) incendiary ammunition, much, but not all of which is illegal under federal law. Paddock purchased several ten-round packages of .308 caliber incendiary ammunition at the show itself and arranged to meet afterwards off-site to buy 720 rounds of tracer ammunition. Bullets traced back to Haig were found in Paddock’s hotel room, and were proven by the FBI to be metallurgically classified as armor piercing bullets as well as incendiary as advertised. Haig has subsequently been arrested and charged with the manufacture of this type of ammunition without a license.
Ammunition Regulation by state here and here.
This show is willing to violate the intent of CA laws: In 2013, San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera filed suit against three gun accessories companies and Crossroads of the West for selling disassembled high‐capacity magazines in violation of California’s law that prohibits the sale, manufacture, or import of gun ammunition feeding devices that accept more than 10 rounds. These device were labeled as gun magazine “repair kits” in a barely‐disguised attempt to skirt a 14‐year‐old California gun safety law, the disassembled equipment is intended for easy reassembly by purchasers into complete, fully functional high‐capacity magazines that dramatically enhance the lethality of otherwise lawful firearms.
INDIVISIBLE VENTURA 