From WLOS:

Asheville's City Attorney Bob Oast says the decision to have gun shows at the WNC Ag Center lies with the state. The issue came up in January after Asheville city councilman Cecil Bothwell wanted to ban the shows in the wake of the Connecticut school shooting. Bothwell said gun shows were illegal since the Ag Center is city-owned property. However, Oast says the state runs the center and owns its buildings that are on land leased from the city. He also says the state makes the ultimate final call about events there.