Press Release

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kris Williams, CAE
April 19, 2011
972.538.1006
www.iavm.org

IAVM, ARIZONA MEMBERS LOBBY SUCCESSFULLY AGAINST FIREARMS BILL

Coppell, Tex. – This week, the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) and key Arizona members successfully lobbied against a firearms bill in the legislature. The law would have permitted guns in public places and all state government buildings, including stadiums, arenas, performing arts centers and convention centers.

"The Omnibus Firearms bill, SB1201, would have allowed firearms into assembly venues unless those buildings and places had airport-style security checkpoints at their entrances, and secure individual gun lockers and extra security personnel to check guns at the entrance," said Turner Madden, Esq. Madden worked with Arizona IAVM members: Steve Adelman, Esq., Kevin Mattingly, Mark Mettes, Randy Vogel, CFE, and others, to convince the legislature to amend the bill to exempt our venues from the proposed bill.
According to Madden, the team achieved an exception for "multipurpose facilities," including stadiums, arenas, performing arts centers, civic and cultural facilities and convention centers, that allow them to keep guns out of their venues without meeting all the burdensome requirements of the bill.

In addition, Madden said that the term "Governmental purpose" was not defined as the operation of "multipurpose facilities". The "Liquor license" exemption was also defined on the House floor to exempt our venues from having lockers, metal detectors and extra security.

"Thanks to all IAVM Arizona members who contacted their state representatives and provided them with information about how the bill would negatively affect their businesses," said Madden.

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The International Association of Venue Managers is the world's largest professional association dedicated to issues relevant to the management of public assembly venues. Members of the association manage public assembly venues such as amphitheaters, arenas, auditoriums, convention centers/exhibit halls, performing arts venues, stadiums and university complexes; or provide products, services or attractions to support the industry. IAVM has more than 3,500 members worldwide. More information is available at www.IAVM.org.