Last month, California became the first state to prohibit the sale of firearms and ammunition on state property, a move that will put an end to gun shows on county fairgrounds, where they are often held. Gun safety activists have long argued that the shows perpetuate gun violence and lead to illegal firearm sales.
While California has the strictest gun laws in the country, by allowing gun shows on its property, the state still was in the business of gun distribution, said state Sen. Dave Min, who sponsored the bill that was supported only by fellow Democratic lawmakers. The measure was part of a broad gun safety package that Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in July.
“The state of California should not profit on what is essentially blood money,” Min told Stateline.
