Gun shows at the Nashville Fairgrounds are expected to continue for the remainder of the year; however, if an agreement isn’t met before 2017 that could change.
Back in December, the Metro Board of Fair Commissioners voted to temporarily halt future gun shows at the Nashville Fairgrounds to address certain issues, such as the need for additional security and attention as to how gun sale transactions are taking place.
Show operators have questioned the legality of the board's decision to stop the shows.
"What the metro law department said today, that is appropriate, there's nothing unlawful about it, doesn't violate the metro charter," board member Kenny Byrd explained.
Council member-at-large Buck Dozier confirmed Tuesday that gun shows would continue at the fairgrounds through 2016 under the present agreement.
However, gun shows will be prohibited starting in 2017 unless an understanding is met with the Metro Board.
NewsChannel5 spoke to show operator Bill Goodman of Bill Goodman's Gun and Knife Show. He said the board's decision not to renew contracts if new guidelines aren't met violates Tennessee's preemptive law, a claim Byrd said is untrue.
"So what you're left with is an all or nothing thing. Either have gun shows that are unfettered, no protections or you cancel them," said Byrd.
He has doubts about the vendor's willingness to negotiate a new set of safety measures. "The first one that comes to mind that I don't think the gun venders will ever permit, is no private sales," said Byrd. "Taxpayers should not subsidize and don't want to subsidize the sale of firearms to felons and that's what is going on at the fairgrounds."
Meanwhile, Goodman, who's hosted gun shows at the fairgrounds for 35 years said he will be forced to take legal action.
