For more than a decade, the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance has received reports every summer that gun owners are being turned away at the Western Idaho Fair for carrying firearms. Because the fair is operated by Ada County and held on public property, firearm and ammunition regulation is preempted under Idaho’s Firearm Preemption Statute.
Despite that clear law, a handful of these incidents surface each year. But this year, some gun owners claimed the Ada County Sheriff’s Office itself was part of the carrying restrictions.
ISAA CEO Greg Pruett announced on Facebook that the organization would investigate the reports. Before Greg visited the fair on August 24, 2026, the Sheriff’s Office clarified that open and concealed carry are allowed at the fair. ISAA shared that clarification publicly to ensure gun owners had accurate information.
Greg purchased a ticket and entered the fair while carrying a sidearm. He reported no issues at the gate.
Inside, Greg spoke with a MAV Event Services supervisor, who stated that MAV was not turning people away for carrying firearms. When Greg mentioned multiple reports of gun owners being denied entry, the supervisor claimed those individuals were “making the stories up.”
However, the supervisor also said they were instructed not to allow entry to anyone carrying more than one magazine. If true, that would be a direct violation of Idaho’s preemption law, which prohibits counties or their contractors from regulating firearms or ammunition in any manner.
After the supervisor left, Greg spoke with several Ada County Sheriff’s deputies, who connected him with their Sergeant.
The Sergeant was polite and stated that the Sheriff’s Office had not instructed anyone to ban firearms or magazines. He also said that in meetings with fair staff and MAV leadership, no directive was ever given to restrict entry based on the number of magazines a person carries.
Greg informed the Sergeant that he had video of a MAV supervisor stating otherwise.
ISAA has warned for years that if gun owners are wrongly turned away and forced to leave their firearm in a vehicle, which is then broken into, a lawsuit against Ada County or MAV is possible. This is why it is critical that security personnel understand the law and their limitations.
The Western Idaho Fair is operated by the county, on public property, and therefore Idaho’s preemption statute applies fully. Gun owners may legally:
- Carry openly or concealed
- Carry any number of magazines
- Possess lawful ammunition
Any attempt to restrict these rights by county staff or private contractors would violate state law.
Below is Greg’s interation with the MAV supervisor:
6 replies on “Video: ISAA Asks Western Idaho Fair Security Supervisor About Guns; Sheriff’s Office Clarifies”
Wow, great job Greg, thank you so very much for all you do for we the people.
If it weren’t for your intervention, those admin directors would continue to encroach upon our rights.
For the record my family and I attended the fair on Monday, August 24 and I had my Glock 17 and two spare magazines. When the security staff went to wand me I notified them I was carrying and I had no issues entering the fair.
Thank you Greg!
As always, good job.
Anyone going to follow up on the magazine question?
Thanks Greg for all you do. I hope people recognize that pretty much you alone and maybe Christy, are protecting everyone’s rights and holding people accountable. Can I say SIC EM. These State Fair and Grounds admin guys need to get their heads out of their hinder quarters.
Thank you.