The BC Rod and Gun Show is supposed to open in Cloverdale in just over a month, but its permit from the City of Surrey has hit a snag.
“On Monday night, the security plan had yet to be reviewed by the RCMP,” Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner said. “It’s an application in progress.”
The show is supposed to open April 15, but the seats could be empty if the permit is not approved. Show manager Steve Bednash declined an interview request from Global News, but told the Surrey newspaper he’s “flabbergasted.”
“We didn’t have one incident last year,” he told Surrey Now.
“We’ll jump through any hoop the city wants us to to put on a great show.”
But Hepner said “public safety is certainly a consideration.”
The problem seem to be handguns for sale at the show. Surrey has had its share of street handgun violence, and the show’s safety plan was only submitted to the RCMP on Monday — too late for approval at Monday’s night’s council meeting.
But council seems supportive of the show if the safety plan is approved:
“I can tell you that this show, and as an outdoors man’s show,” Hepner says, “is generally an acceptable process, and last year had no difficulties.”