The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday let stand a lower court's ruling that upheld a county ordinance banning gun shows on government property such as fairgrounds.
The justices declined without comment to review an unsuccessful challenge to the 1999 Alameda County ordinance. A lower court had sustained the ordinance, saying gun enthusiasts had neither a First Amendment nor Second Amendment right to possess weapons for sale on county property.
California is the only state where municipalities bar gun shows on government property. Los Angeles, Marin and San Mateo counties have similar rules, and more municipalities could follow.
"It leaves that door open, obviously," said attorney Richard Gardiner, who filed a brief on behalf of the National Rifle Association urging the justices to review the case.
Representatives from at least 20 California cities and counties asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last year to let stand Alameda County's ordinance.
The measure outlawed weapons outside county courthouses, government offices and health centers, while forbidding gun shows at the Alameda County fairgrounds if weapons were on the premises.
"You can't have a dog show without dogs," said Donald Kilmer, the attorney representing TS Trade Shows, which used to operate a gun show at the fairgrounds.
Alameda County's rule, which does not ban gun sales on private property, was in response to a 1998 shooting at the fairgrounds near San Francisco. Following the ban, TS Trade Shows sued the county.
Kilmer said he would try to keep the challenge alive by arguing the ordinance violates gun enthusiasts' right of association.