GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The Greensboro City Council does not have the authority to cancel the Greensboro Gun and Knife Show, according to a memo from City Attorney Tom Carruthers.
In a letter to City Council members, the City Attorney said that the city is not required to host gun shows at the Coliseum. However, Matt Brown, the Coliseum Director, has full control over what events are held at the events center. The decision to cancel the gun show would be up to him.
"Matt Brown, Coliseum Director, has full right to enter into and execute all lease agreements regarding the Greensboro Coliseum," Carruthers wrote in the memo. "His contract with the City of Greensboro provides him the authority and discretion to make these decisions. The City Charter delegated this authority to the Manager and the Manager delegated this authority to Matt Brown in 1994."
The City Attorney advised council members to refrain from taking any action regarding gun shows at the Coliseum that would "interfere with the authority of the Coliseum Driector."
"This could be viewed as a municipal regulation which applies more strictly to gun shows in violation of state law," Carruthers wrote.
The Greensboro Gun and Knife Show is scheduled to take place August 25-26.
WFMY News 2 has reached out to Coliseum Director Matt Brown to ask whether he'd host gun shows at the Coliseum in the future. The Coliseum Public Relations Manager wrote in an email, "Matt has no comment."