Revolutionary War re-enactment canceled over local gun laws: City says to ‘use wooden sticks’

Local anti-gun laws have forced California's Elk Grove Historical Society to cancel its annual Revolutionary War re-enactment.

One suggestion made by officials? Use wooden sticks instead of guns.

What are the details?

KOVR-TV reported Monday that officials in Elk Grove shot down the historical society's two-day Revolutionary War event and said that local gun laws were to blame.

According to KOVR, the re-enactment — which the society expected several thousand visitors to attend — was set to include "firing black powder muskets," but officials told the group that using such props were against a local code that prohibits using, maintaining, possessing, firing, or discharging any firearms.

Jim Entrican, facilities manager for the group and president of Elk Grove's Native Son of the Golden West, told KOVR, "There’s no firing guns in a park, but there’s exceptions for each one of the ordinances."

Entrican added that exceptions have been made in previous years.

"They actually asked us if we can use wooden sticks, and can you see 12 men in full regalia and another 12 charging with wooden sticks saying 'Bang bang!'" he said. "It just doesn’t have the same effect."

Entrican said that the April event would have featured "encampments and all kind of entertainment for the kids to see," and called the cancellation — ordered late last year by the park district — "very frustrating."

"History is important, and we’re losing it," he added.

Entrican says he plans to attempt to change the ordinance preventing the show from continuing as-is, but noted that it could take months. KOVR reported that the group is working along with the city and park district to collaborate on a solution prior to the group's next event.