By the time local band Thin Ice took the stage at the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair last Saturday, fair-goers were enjoying themselves too much to notice the two dozen people proudly carrying unloaded guns.
But that didn’t stop lead singer and longtime resident Russ Lesser from belting out his latest song, “Packin,” which he wrote especially for the event.
“Now we are not here to debate their second amendment rights,” Lesser said before the song. “However, we are here to exercise our first amendment rights of free speech to ridicule this group for incredible bad taste and stupidity.”
Last week, South Bay Open Carry (SBOC) — a group founded by Hermosa resident Harley Green — made headlines and prime time television news after going up against the city and fair board, insisting on exercising its Second Amendment right to bear arms in public areas.
Though the group’s insistence on packing heat at the fair sparked safety concerns among the Manhattan Beach Police Department and angered many residents, its presence at the fair hardly roused the tension predicted by the hype.
“Members of SBOC were cooperative and did not cause any issues for the police at the fair,” said MBPD Police Chief Rod Uyeda. “Nor did we receive any calls from anyone asking us to check their weapons. For the most part, I think SBOC were ignored by fair goers.”
The debate started after the fair board last month threatened to have armed fair goers arrested for carrying guns. Though the event is held on public land, the board said that the grounds are private during the fair due to its land use agreement with the city.
The Manhattan Beach Police Department — citing state law that prohibits guns within 1,000 ft. radius of educational facilities — also restricted certain areas to open carry due to the fair’s proximity to American Martyrs Catholic School and Church.
SBOC shot back that the land is still subject to state law that allows open carry of unloaded guns and that the church — which extended restricted areas onto fair grounds — is not considered an educational facility.
The board backed down after SBOC volunteers threatened litigation against its members, the city and American Martyrs.
However, the group was restricted to Dorsey Field and had to enter the fair from a side gate instead of the main entrance, due to the 1,000 ft. rule.
“I believe the event was a huge success as hundreds of people saw regular citizens carrying firearms in public enjoying the fair like everyone else,” Green said. “Many people came up to us and asked how they could get involved and for clarification on the complicated California gun restrictions.”
Resident Elsa Gerard wouldn’t know because, for the first time in 17 years, she and her family didn’t attend.
“I didn’t want my children there,” said Gerard, who stayed home with her teenage son and 12-year-old twins Saturday. “I felt very uncomfortable with someone who’s not a trained police officer in a public place with a weapon.”
Uyeda said he received many calls and emails from families who also said they did not attend due to SBOC.
“I was very saddened,” Uyeda said. “…I respect SBOC’s right to bear arms, but feel this venue was inappropriate.”
Green said he has received several e-mails from people who were glad about SBOC’s fair presence and that only one individual expressed concern to him at the event
“None of the negative predictions of the police chief came true,” he said. “In fact, his own officers came and thanked us for being there, saying that we were all very respectful and cooperative and that they were glad we were there and hoped we were given a booth next year.”
Gerard said that she and her family will stay home again next year if SBOC shows up. Thin Ice used a different approach.
“I guess you people never will understand, that it takes a gun to make me feel like a man,” Lesser sang. “That’s why I’m packin’ heat at the hometown fair, and my gun’s on my hip where you can see it there. I’m only doing this to protect us from strife.”
“I got a better idea buddy, go get a life,” responded band member Jim Miller.
Many attendees complained more about the couple hours of hardcore metal music played by local band Allura than they did about the guns.
“This is awful,” said first-time fair-goer Ashley Fitzpatrick. “It just sounds like constant noise and it’s making this whole experience uncomfortable. Who picked these guys?” ER
