hgreen
Regular Member
OC RESTORED at MB Hometown Fair.
And in other news, the MB PD's finest show their true colors with this press release which no one but gun supporters and a couple journalists who are writing pro-OC stories received...
http://www.southbayopencarry.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Hometown-Fair-2010-Press-Release.doc
Related summary story: http://www.examiner.com/la-in-los-angeles/fair-backs-down-police-relegate-open-carry-to-back-of-bus
And in other news, the MB PD's finest show their true colors with this press release which no one but gun supporters and a couple journalists who are writing pro-OC stories received...
http://www.southbayopencarry.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Hometown-Fair-2010-Press-Release.doc
Related summary story: http://www.examiner.com/la-in-los-angeles/fair-backs-down-police-relegate-open-carry-to-back-of-bus
PRESS RELEASE
Manhattan Beach Police Department
420 15th Street Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 (310) 802-5140
For Immediate Release
Subject: Manhattan Beach Old Hometown Fair
Date: 28 September 2010
Contact: Randy Leaf, Captain
Phone: 310.802.5140
FAX: N/A
From the Office of the Chief of Police:
The 38th Manhattan Beach Old Hometown Fair will be held the weekend of October 2nd-3rd. This Fair embodies what Manhattan Beach is all about: fun for all ages, great food, beautiful arts & crafts, music, free entertainment and games for kids of all ages…a true Manhattan Beach tradition! What the Fair is not about is guns.
A few months ago, the Manhattan Beach Police Department was contacted by a gun activist group calling themselves the South Bay Open Carry (SBOC). They expressed their intent to attend the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair, armed with openly displayed unloaded firearms, to express their 2nd amendment right to “bear arms”. SBOC was informed that they would need to speak to the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair Board, which is a private entity, that controls the Fair and has rules in place for the safety of Fair goers. In the past, these rules included the prohibition of dogs, skateboards, rollerblades and other things that everyone has cooperated with for 37 years.
The Hometown Fair Board met and decided this year to ban weapons from the Fair. The Fair Board felt that the Fair is a safe, family oriented event. It is believed that many in the community do not like guns, nor desire to have their children exposed to guns, except for their local police force, which undergoes hundreds of hours of training on the discretionary use of their guns, especially where people are present. This decision was vehemently opposed by SBOC.
Over the past few weeks, SBOC has threatened lawsuit against the Hometown Fair Board, the City of Manhattan Beach, the Police Department, and American Martyrs School. The California Gun-Free School Zone Act of 1995 prohibits any firearms being brought within 1000’ of elementary or secondary school grounds. Much of the Fair falls within 1000’ of American Martyrs School and Church. A part of the Fair also falls within 1000’ of Grandview Elementary School. SBOC contests that American Martyrs Church and O’Donnell Hall are not a part of American Martyrs School, however, the school uses both the Church and O’Donnell Hall as part of their instruction, including worship.
Last evening, the Hometown Fair Board informed me they are not willing to risk a lawsuit (having been threatened as individuals by SBOC) and have asked us not to make any arrests for firearms being brought into the Fair in violation of their “no weapons” rule. They also informed me that they are asking SBOC to respect the reasonable rules that have been put into place for the safety of the Fair and that in the spirit of cooperation and the number of young families that will be present, to please leave their firearms at home.
The Hometown Fair has been free of firearms and other weapons for 37 years and is arguably one of the safest Fairs in the country. The Fair will have thousands of children present over the weekend and many families do not want their children exposed to firearms. Many Open Carry activists carry ammunition close by and can go from unloaded to loaded within seconds. Many people are naturally fearful of firearms and nobody wants a shooting to erupt, especially in a densely populated area with children.
The Police Department respects SBOC’s belief in their 2nd amendment rights to bear arms, but feels the Hometown Fair is not the proper place to exhibit that belief based on the feelings of the Hometown Fair Board and the Community. The Police Department also believes the law supports that any private property owner (including those who are granted control of public land for temporary events) could forbid firearms, much as many businesses and venues do currently (swap meets, sport venues, malls, restaurants, coffee shops, etc). However, the Hometown Fair Board is made up of long time residents and business owners who did not volunteer their time only to be burdened with constant email attacks by SBOC members and the fear of a lawsuit, which are time consuming and expensive.
Thus in the interest of the spirit of the Manhattan Beach Old Hometown Fair, and knowing that the police are close by to keep the Fair safe, SBOC will not be arrested if they choose to ignore the Hometown Fair Board’s polite request and enter the Fair while armed, as long as they do not violate the 1000’ boundary around American Martyrs School/Church and Grandview Elementary School). It is hoped that SBOC activists will refrain from consuming alcoholic beverages while armed, or talking to children about their firearms without the children’s parents’ consent.
SBOC has been informed of those areas that are within 1000’ of American Martyrs School and Church, as well as the 1000’ feet around Grandview Elementary School. A map is available at the Police Department website, so it will be assumed that all Open Carry activists attending the Fair while armed will be aware of those boundaries, which will be strictly enforced.
One of the purposes of this Press Release is to inform Fair goers that they might see plain clothes individuals who may be openly displaying firearms. Please do not hesitate to notify a police officer or security guard at the Fair of any concerns, and if needed, the person(s) will be checked and the unloaded status of their firearm confirmed.
We regret any discomfort brought about by these activists, but trust that the Manhattan Beach Old Hometown Fair will still be a wonderful event for all to enjoy in a safe, friendly, fun environment.
If you have any questions, please contact Lieutenant Andy Harrod or Captain Randy Leaf at (310) 802-5140
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