The gun show scheduled for March 2-3 was allowed to go on as planned due to a shortage of time. However, city officials directed staff to draw up an ordinance to end gun sales on city property.
The council chambers were filled and an overflow crowd watched on monitors from the lobby. Dozens of gun rights advocates spoke against the proposal to ban gun shows. A small number of speakers were in support of the proposal.
The Glendale Civic Auditorium has been a venue for gun shows at least three times per year over the span of more than 21 years. The facility is across the street from Glendale Community College.
The proposal was introduced after the shootings in Newtown, Conn., on Dec. 14, 2012.
Councilman Rafi Manoukian proposed the gun show ban, a move that could cost the city nearly $60,000 in revenue in 2013.
"We are not discussing banning the gun show, we are not discussing your 2nd or 1st Amendment rights. We are discussing a gun show across the street from a college on city property," Manoukian told the audience.
