RALEIGH - The state Agriculture Department issued new rules for gun shows after an accidental shooting that injured three people last month. Now patrons who bring guns to a show will have to park in designated areas and use a separate entrance. In addition, their firearms must be out of their cases, with the actions open and all magazines, bullets or shells removed. Security officers will examine firearms at the entrance and secure them with straps. Fairgrounds police will place special emphasis on ensuring that no gun sales occur in parking lots, said the department’s chief Joel Keith.

A security guard and two others were injured at the Dixie Gun & Knife Show at the fairgrounds in January after a shotgun went off as it was being checked at the show’s entrance. The gun owner was planning to sell it at the show.