Pima County Officials Visit the Crossroads of the West Gun Show: A Calm but Revealing Encounter
In what could have been a contentious visit, Pima County officials’ walkthrough at the Crossroads of the West Gun Show turned out to be more of an observation exercise than an enforcement action. While their presence raised eyebrows, it ultimately showcased a fundamental misunderstanding of Arizona’s firearm laws and the limits of local government authority in regulating gun shows.
Who Was There and Why?
The visit was attended by Pima County Supervisors Rex Scott and Jennifer Allen, a retired official from the Pima County Health Department, former Tucson City Councilwoman Molly McKassen, and the fairgrounds manager—who is known to be supportive of the gun show’s continued operation.
Many of these individuals had never attended a gun show before, which became evident in their questions and general demeanor. Their primary focus seemed to be on how Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) rules were enforced within the show. However, Bob Templeton, owner of Crossroads of the West, was quick to clarify that enforcing ATF regulations was not his role.
Despite their concerns, officials failed to conduct any audit of sales or transactions. In fact, they seemed entirely oblivious to the activity occurring right in front of them—several private sellers walked past them with firearms openly marked for sale, including a man holding an AR-15 with a bright neon chartreuse “For Sale” sign. The county officials remained disengaged, reinforcing the idea that their presence was more about optics than substantive oversight.
Before the walkthrough, Supervisor Steve Christy—one of the few pro-gun voices on the Pima County Board of Supervisors—was briefed about the visit by EPIC Policy Group Associate William Cleveland and reaffirmed his support for the gun show, Arizona Citizens Defense League (AzCDL), and the state’s preemptive firearm law.
Unlike his colleagues, Christy has consistently defended Arizona’s preemption statute (A.R.S. § 13-3108), which prohibits local governments from imposing firearm regulations that exceed state law. His stance has been a key counterbalance to the county’s growing anti-gun policies. While Christy was not part of the visit, his advocacy provided a critical backdrop for understanding the county’s political divide on firearm rights.
Bob Templeton’s Approach: A Lesson in Composure
If the goal of the visit was to catch the gun show or its vendors in some kind of violation, Bob Templeton ensured that didn’t happen. He effectively managed the situation by:
Explaining ATF undercover operations and how compliance is handled.
Highlighting the empty table reserved for ATF agents, who were invited but did not attend.
Providing free gun locks to attendees, reinforcing a commitment to firearm safety.
By controlling the narrative, Templeton dismantled any argument that the show lacked oversight or that private transactions were conducted recklessly.
Supervisors and Their Misunderstanding of Authority
Perhaps the most glaring issue was the false assumption by Pima County Supervisors that they had some kind of regulatory authority over the event beyond their role as landlords of the fairgrounds. Their presence suggested an expectation of oversight, yet they lacked the knowledge or legal backing to enforce anything beyond their lease agreement.
The reality is that Arizona’s preemption statute (A.R.S. § 13-3108) explicitly prohibits counties and municipalities from enacting or enforcing firearm regulations that exceed state law. This means that the county cannot impose background checks on private sales or mandate additional regulations beyond what is required by state and federal law.
Their failure to question private sellers or audit transactions demonstrated either an awareness of their legal limitations or a complete lack of strategy—either way, it was a misfire.
Charles Heller, former AZCDL board member and head of Communications, also a well-known gun rights advocate, capitalized on the opportunity to remind the county officials of past legal battles with AzCDL. When introducing himself to Supervisor Jennifer Allen, he mentioned that he represented the group that had recently sued the county and won. Her short, "I know," was telling—it was clear she had no interest in revisiting the matter.
She also asked Heller and others—including Bob Templeton and Tom Woodrow, AzCDL Board member—to confirm whether they were recording the conversation. All three affirmed that they were, prompting a visibly forced smile from Allen. The moment underscored the officials’ discomfort and lack of confidence in their mission.
Supervisor Rex Scott, a key figure in Pima County’s approach to firearm regulation, stood out for all the wrong reasons. His blank expression and apparent lack of comprehension during the walkthrough were noticeable. Despite Bob Templeton’s patient explanations of legal requirements and compliance measures, Scott’s failure to engage meaningfully suggested he either wasn’t listening or didn’t understand.
For someone who presumably advocates for stricter gun control measures, his lack of preparedness for this visit raises questions about his role in shaping policy.
Citizens for a Safer Pima County: The “Snoop Dogs”
Adding to the theater of the event, two members of Citizens for a Safer Pima County—an anti-gun activist group—were spotted engaging in what can only be described as a low-energy reconnaissance mission. The two individuals entered the venue ten minutes apart, walked through the show, inspected vendors, and then quietly left.
While it is expected that they will report their findings to Molly McCassen and the Board of Supervisors, it remains unclear what exactly they will report—other than the fact that the gun show continued to operate within the boundaries of the law.
The Political and Legal Landscape Moving Forward
The timing of this visit is not coincidental considering Pima County’s recent court loss over a preemption violation. Pima County’s efforts to tighten restrictions on firearm transactions at the fairgrounds are part of a broader push, and this walkthrough was likely meant to gather information for future policy moves. However, it’s important to note that such efforts have been met with strong resistance.
Most notably, a Cease and Desist letter was recently issued to the Pima County Board of Supervisors by EPIC Policy Group on behalf of the Arizona Citizens Defense League (AzCDL). The letter made it clear that any attempt by the BOS to enforce local rules on private gun sales would violate A.R.S. § 13-3108, the Second Amendment, and the Fourth Amendment (for unconstitutional searches). It also warned that failure to comply would lead to litigation.
The possibility of losing the gun show would be a significant economic loss for the county—a factor that fairground management and local businesses should consider carefully when supporting certain county supervisors.
What to Watch For Next
Tucson Sentinel Coverage: The Tucson Sentinel is expected to report on this visit in the coming weeks. It remains to be seen whether their coverage will be objective or slanted to favor the BOS’s perspective.
Snoop Dog Report: Whatever findings Citizens for a Safer Pima County present to the BOS could shape future policy discussions.
Potential Legal Action: If the county proceeds with regulatory overreach, AzCDL is prepared to take action.
Final Takeaway: A Tactical Win for Gun Owners
While the visit may have been intended to serve as a fact-finding mission—or an intimidation tactic—it ultimately backfired. The officials failed to establish any wrongdoing, engaged in limited oversight, and exposed their lack of authority on the matter.
For Arizona gun owners and advocates, this reaffirmed the importance of standing firm against government overreach and ensuring that firearm rights remain protected under state and federal law.
If anything, the visit by Pima County officials only strengthened the argument that the greatest threat to constitutional rights is often ignorance masquerading as authority.
Overall, it seemed like the Supervisors and their entourage were there reluctantly, as if forced into attending against their better judgment. With the exception of Molly McCassen, they left with the impression that the event was law-abiding and well-regulated. Thanks to the preemptive legal pushback and letters, their walk-through was limited to only a small portion of the show.
Bob also took the opportunity to highlight the Biden Rule and its misinterpretation, clarifying that it does not require universal background checks and that no one, anywhere, is actively enforcing it. The conversation remained cordial and non-confrontational, reinforcing the fact that the show was operating within the law.
Thanks to Bob for keeping things steady and to everyone who played a role in setting the tone for this visit.