To all members,
About a year ago some business members, all Sports Men and Women like you and I, put plans into effect to hold a Rod and Gun Show at the Cloverdale Fair Grounds. We secured space at the Fairgrounds for the 5th, 6th and September after Christmas this year. At the end of February we were advised that we were required to obtain a business license in order to be able to do this show. We did so, but on March 15, 2014 Surrey City Hall advised us that they would not issue a license to us since it was forbidden to sell Firearms and/or ammunition in Surrey unless it was specifically allowed as per their Zoning Bylaw.
This show is like any other show throughout the country. It is a family event, and it is about outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, camping etc. There is something for everyone, and yes it does include a swap meet where you and I can sell or trade firearms in accordance with the Firearms Act of Canada. We are even including ATVs etc. I guess they were worried about the word “gun” in the name of the show. Yet every similar event throughout the country uses the same wording.
After some hard work we found out that the only way possible to hold this event is we would have to apply for a Temporary Use Permit, which had to come from City Council and then held to a Public Hearing since it contravened the Surrey Zoning Bylaw.
Finally, on July 7, City council gave unaminous approval to Introduction, 1st and 2nd reading of the bylaw, a requirement in order to send it to the required Public Hearing. This Hearing will take place at Surrey City Hall starting at 5:30 PM (17:30 hrs) on July 21, 2014, just now week away.
Depending on the input from the public, council will, or will not, approve the bylaw in order to hold this event. By the way, due to the length of time between the time we applied and to the possible approval, we had to move the date of our show to the 17th, 18th and 19th of April 2015 (next spring) in order to publicize, obtain sponsors and vendors etc. We want to produce a world class event, which will hopefully will be a yearly event in due time. However that is not a problem at this moment, the problem is that we must ensure that City Council grant us the Temporary Use Permit for this 3 day event.
In order to be successful we need your help. It makes a big difference whether people show up to the hearing or not. An empty room tells council that firearms issues are not important and gun enthusiasts are not worth pleasing. Alternately a full, overflowing room of people who simply want to exercise their right shows them we are a force to be reckoned with! So please, for yourself, for the BC Rod and Gun Show and for all firearms owners show up to this hearing. The hearing information is posted above and below this message.
Best regards,
Hardy Staub
Surrey City Hall –
13450 104 Ave, Surrey, BC
Monday the 21st of July 2014
5:30pm
