The Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association (DSSA) declared in an email statement that the state fair is “officially anti-gun” after the controversial announcement. The fair starts this week and runs through July 29, and the new policy prevents patrons, vendors, exhibitors, volunteers and employees from possessing firearms.
Management said all fairgoers are under the restriction “regardless of whether you are licensed to carry or not.”
According to the state fair’s assistant GM and director of marketing Danny Aguilar, metal detectors have been added at the four gates. “Now there are walkthrough experiences very similar to what you would see when you go to the Phillies game or to any large sporting event.”
Persons in possession of a weapon will be able to return them to their vehicle or hand them over at the gate. However, they will not be returned to the owner if surrendered.
Organizers reported that the ban on firearms was adopted for guest safety. More than 300,000 people pass through the fairground gates every year.
DSSA dismissed that argument and railed against prohibiting concealed carry permit holders from exercising their right to self-defense.
“In a blatant insult to law-abiding permit holders, they say their ban on licensed and lawful concealed carry is to keep fairgoers ‘safe.’ Really? Since when do law-abiding, licensed concealed carry permit holders constitute a public safety threat to anyone but bad guys with guns?”
The group added that “gun free zones” create a dangerous situation where violent criminals feel they may target the unarmed with impunity. DSAA declared the organizers’ actions are “inherently dangerous” and do nothing to add to the safety of fairgoers.
