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Surrey rod and gun show supporters show up in force

Amy Reid

SURREY — Many people were sporting buttons in support of a would-be rod and gun show during Monday night’s council meeting.

After organizers told the Now of their frustrations in dealing with the city regarding holding a BC Rod and Gun Show in Cloverdale, the matter was up for public hearing Monday night.

“We want it to be like a swap meet – like a flea market – but only for camping and fishing gear and hunting stuff. Our whole problem started when they saw the word ‘gun,’” said one of the organizers Kent Archibald, who owns the Firearms Training Centre in Cloverdale.

Surrey’s zoning bylaw prohibits the sale of new and used firearms and ammunition, “unless specifically provided in that zone.”

So, organizers have asked the city for an Official Community Plan amendment and Temporary Commercial Use Permit to enable hosting the three-day event at Cloverdale Fairgrounds. The OCP amendment received council’s final approval, but the applicant requested the permit be deferred due to a date change and that was granted as well.

At the council meeting on July 21, there were six speakers in support of the request, with another 42 signing up in support who didn’t speak. The city also received a petition with 375 signatures in support, four letters in support and one letter in opposition.