Gun show morons

[jack the toad]

Gunshow etiquette (or lack of) is real and needs to be practiced. I may not teach my kids/g-kids much but gun safety and g-show behavior is one they've learned.
Dogs, stop & talkers, baby strollers with kid(s) and their mothers who by appearance you can tell don't really want to be there are all things that you hafta deal with at gunshows today. And we pay to experience/endure these things.
ETA:
I've been on both sides of the tables at g-shows and won't mention the morons that are potential buyers that sellers have to deal with.

 

[Gamecock]

I am also puzzled by people who bring their dogs.

So I'm in Harris-Teeter yesterday. A woman walks by with a dog in her cart. I'm thinking "You gotta be ******* kidding me!"

Next person to use that cart is putting their groceries where that dog's *** used to be.

GRRR

 

[da gimp]

or the grandpa who insists that it is okay for their 8 year old grandkid to pick up a Browning Broadway trap gun or near mint Win 42 Skeet off your table , "It's okay, he is with me"... , and then gets in a huff when you tell him & the kid they aren't toys....and DO NOT touch them.

He sure got a funny look on his face when I found him at his table a couple of rows over, later the same day & he wondered if I would be just as dumb and rude as he had been at ours.

 

[H Richard]

I haven't been to a gun show in the last 3-5 years that all the guns weren't either tied action or had gun locks on them. There is an etiquette at gun shows, and if we don't educate the "new" people as we see the problems, they will continue to irritate everyone. Common courtesy is no longer being taught in schools, insist on it at your tables.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Like most things in life, you can either walk around mad all the time or go along to get along. I pivot fairly regularly between the two, but the older I get, the more I prefer the latter if it's not endangering me or mine or getting in my wallet . . .

 

[federali]

I Hate Gun Shows

The last gun show I attended here on Long Island featured a very large man piloting a wide electric buggy, sort of a motorized wheelchair. I guess you might call it the Hummer of such mini-vehicles.

Part of me felt sorry for the guy while another part of me was angry that the occupant allowed himself to grow to approximately 500 pounds, necessitating a vehicle that brought his isle to a halt, whatever isle he happened to be in.

 

[Frank237]

When I have a table and I get the guys who camp in front of the table to talk....I simply ask them NOT TO. "Hey guys, your blocking the table". Works just fine.

There are so many idiots who attend shows...then again that's a cross section of Society today. We have a lot of uneducated, impolite fools out there.

I have seen some very amusing counters to some of the bad behavior at shows. My favorite....

A guy is walking around with a nice M-70. Stops at a table and is showing it to the table holder in hopes of selling it. There's another guy NOT with the rifle owner listening to the discourse, also looking at the rifle. The table guy and the rifle guy agree on $600.

Immediately the 3rd party states "That gun right there is worth FAR more than six hundred dollars, more like eight".

With this the table guy literally throws the gun into this guys chest like a Marine DI. The guy catches it and is totally stunned.

The table guy tells him... "So are You OFFERING him eight hundred"?

Stunned guy says.... "No".

"Then MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS and move on".



Few things annoy me more ,especially when I'm the guy negotiating a deal...Than some know it all, who really doesn't...Interjecting his opinion , in matters that are none of his business anyway.

FN in MT

 

[Drm50]

My biggest gripes have more to do with promoters and dealers
than the public. The public provides all kind of aggravation for
free, you just get use to it. Promoters who have a guy at the
door, bankrolled to short stop any good deals coming in really
*** me, when you are paying good money for your tables. The
sale of tables to people selling Flea Market items, organizations
handing out literature for para military groups, ect- has no place
in gun shows. News loves to run camera over rows of guns and
Bubba with his camos and sunglasses, spouting off about black
Helicopters. Then there is the dealers that constantly interfere
while you are dealing. It seems like there is always one. They
are the ones that have $17 worth of $11 guns on their table,
baggies full of brass "assortments" , you know the type. No one
spends much time looking at their stuff. It gives them plenty of
time to walk around and interject themselves into deals of others.
I have come to the point with these guys, that I tell them to stay
away from my tables. They are so dumb that's the only way to
get rid of them. Most just scurry away, others get huffy, I really
don't care as long as they don't come back.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I have seen it all through the years, but every now and then you get that person who does it just right, had one at the last show, I appreciated him and his gun etiquette

Yeah, I think that that situation is what most folks are posting about.

 

[Weimar]

I hear that hey, I have 10 acres near Dearborn

 

[BigBoy99]

The "gun shows" I have attended recently were more "flea market" than anything else. There more tables selling beef jerky, jewelry, t-shirts, packaged food, etc. than tables with gun related items!

 

[two-bit cowboy]

This year I attended shows in towns of 60k, 30k, and 10k people. The small-town show was a private event, and it was the best of the three.

I saw ALL the folks you all described, but I'm a bit surprised no one has mentioned (unless I missed it) my biggest peeve: the ubiquitous, rude cell phone user. I watched several of them text a friend or pull up GB while they were talking with the seller. A few of the bolder idiots even told the seller, "This gun is only $XXX on the auction."

I wouldn't do well behind the table. I'd say, "No, this gun is right here. You can see its exact condition and feel the mechanics. But I think you should buy the one from the auction and hope the seller has been honest about the gun's condition."

I lament that they're necessary, but I really appreciate the intent of the following signs:

At each teller's window at my bank: "We cannot serve you if you're using your cell phone."

On the front door at a nearby pawn shop: "Turn off your cell phone before asking for service."

 

[Bekeart]

Promoter COMPETES with those who buy his tables ...

My biggest gripes have more to do with promoters and dealers than the public.
Promoters who have a guy at the door, bankrolled to short stop any good deals coming in really *** me,
when you are paying good money for your tables.

Recent show at Cadiz Kentucky - during Friday set-up time -
Fellow with a table started putting BARGAIN-PRICED gun on his table.
The promoter* stepped in and quickly bought over half of them as soon as they hit the table.
During the show these guns were on his two tables at HIGHER prices.

* Robert - Midwest Promotions LLC

Bekeart

 

[Muss Muggins]

Recent show at Cadiz Kentucky - during Friday set-up time -
Fellow with a table started putting BARGAIN-PRICED gun on his table.
The promoter* stepped in and quickly bought over half of them as soon as they hit the table.
During the show these guns were on his two tables at HIGHER prices.

* Robert - Midwest Promotions LLC

Bekeart

Capitalism at its finest . . .

 

[Valmet]

I agree that gun show etiquette is important. I don't get to many shows anymore...occasionally I'll make a trip out to Tulsa but mostly at local shows around here I go for ammo, mags, and accessories. I can't tell you how many times I've cringed at some of the behavior fellow "gun people" exhibit at shows. From downright dangerous practices to irresponsible questions (I don't mean honest newbie questions), to "know-it-all" attitudes.

 

[lrrifleman]

In the NJSSR, gun shows aren't held to the best of my knowledge. Up until about 15 years ago, I had never attended one. However, round about 2002, I was in New Orleans attending a Kiwanis Convention, and there happened to be a gun show that weekend. I decided to go in to take a look, and I was never more mortified in my life.

The deputy at the door asking if I had any guns with me, and it generated a false sense of security. I walked in to the auditorium, and my eyes were opened! People were walking around with Garands and Carbines with for sale signs stuck in the muzzle, actions closed, and bandoleers draped around their necks. Then I hit the tables. Some had bona fide junk, which was to be expected. I found a few tables that had nice Smiths, and I took an interest. At one table, run by a mom and pop, the mom was pushing to make a sale. I explained that I was from out of state, and couldn't legally purchase without a permit. She said that is ok, we don't do background checks since we are not selling out of our store. As much as I was tempted (they had a nice Model 34), I couldn't wait to get out of the show. After that experience, I have never had the desire to return to a gun show.

 

[the ringo kid]

As far as bringing dogs in strollers, there is some bad emotional issue happening there.

Standing in the middle of the isle talking, so so shallow. At the end of a hockey game I simply walked right through the middle of them. I got some lip but I told them to them to wake up and get out of the isle. No, I didn't get a beer bottle thrown at me (although it cross my mind).

I hate it when they take up ALL the space in an aisle-just bsing away caring not to allow traffic to flow.

 

[the ringo kid]

I once saw a spectacular event happen in an aisle. A woman apparently got tired of the slow moving mass and just pushed her way along. Took the feet out from under an old guy minding his own business. Guess it never occurred to her that the line moves at the rate of the slowest person up front. Anyway, the old guy ended up sitting on her kid. Her hubby saw what happened and really couldn't blame the guy she hit. It all sorted itself out and she ended up leaving. Its all she really wanted anyway, her husband to leave without spending her shoe money.

Bringing along the GF or spouse is nice, I guess. Unless she really doesn't want to be there and is prone to being impolite when bored. If she can't behave, leave her at home. If she insists, you've got bigger problems.

I didn't have that problem with Sabrina. She and I went to one show together last August--just before all the cancer stuff came out in the open. Anyway, we spent about 4 hours there and she learned a lot. It was then when I bought my Colt .45 Italian made jobbie-and when I bought Sabrina (unkn to her) that 10/22 that is now hers.

Two of the worst faux pauxs ive seen:
1) I had a mint unused Walther P-38 softshell holster stamped-1943. A dealer wanted to see it-I handed it over and the D/A, not only dropped it-but it skidded on the concrete floor and had a scratch on its flap. I was furious, picked up my holster and left his table.

2) At another show elsewhere. I was with an Army/vet/friend at a show. We were approaching a table with several P-38s on it for sale. I was about to pick one up-with dealer permisso--and some _______ grabbed it and pointed it in our direction and dry-fired it several times. I grabbed the gun from him saying how inconsiderate he was-while my friend basically read the "riot" act--instead of clobbering the jerk.

 

[the ringo kid]

So what this thread tells me is that a lot of gun owners and would-be gun owners are boobs, total boobs and even, maybe morons.

Go to a public indoor range on a weekend and you will probably
find the same people as at a gun show.

That should be frightening to even the staunchest. no
compromise Second Amendment proponent.

Which leads me to the open carry issue.....how's that for thread drift?

I cant stand the sight of those Green Beret/Navy SEAL/Ninja wannabes. MY APOLOGIES TO BKREUTZ. I don't mean to belittle you guys in any way, shape or form.

 

[the ringo kid]

Here is one that nobody has mentioned.
I took my son to a gun show when he was 8 (don't worry, he was well disciplined)
The gun show was trying to charge him adult admission price. After I read them the riot act, I informed them that if he is charged adult admission, than he will be the one purchasing a firearm. They finally realized there ignorance.

When I went in uniform, I got in free-dunno if that still happens here or not?

 

[Faulkner]

I know a guy who's wife stopped him from going to lingerie shows because he couldn't figure out the whole touching the merchandise etiquette thing.

 

[the ringo kid]

I like the ones that have a cardboard dish of salty french fries w/ or w/o catsup in their left hand.. picking them out with the same hand they're handling your blued revolver with!!!!
JIM...............

Seen that too. One lady even managed to drip some Italian ice gelotto? on one. Dealers face reddened so fast I thought he was going to have a heart-attack.

 

[jack the toad]

Seen that too. One lady even managed to drip some Italian ice gelotto? on one. Dealers face reddened so fast I thought he was going to have a heart-attack.

Aw heck, ya talk about sellers flying mad, that would do it. Or the dude eating tater chips and figerin every gun on the table with his salty hands.
When I see something I wanna look at, I always ask and then try to only touch the stock, etc. in the effort to limit fingerprints unless it involves closer scrutiny. Civilized people just need to act that way.

 

[jack the toad]

I know a guy who's wife stopped him from going to lingerie shows because he couldn't figure out the whole touching the merchandise etiquette thing.

Doesn't sound very open-minded to me.

 

[italiansport]

What irritates me the most are kids with parents who think it's their right to pick up everything on your tables and get their fingerprints on your guns. When I've asked them to stop the parents just look at you with a "What do you expect they're kids expression"! Even when I've told them they have to be at least 18 to handle firearms it doesn't seem to register with some of them. On a couple of occasion I've asked them to just move on.
Jim

 

[sasu]

When I went in uniform...

What does the uniform of a maroon look like?

(Just kidding. The title and your comment go so well together.)

 

[jack the toad]

When I went in uniform, I got in free-dunno if that still happens here or not?

Some (most) of the promoters of the local shows around here allow free and/or discounted admission using an ID or commission card. Same applies for FD, EMS and military ID. One local (Tulsa) promoter of smaller but frequent shows doesn't give anyone anything like that, and to my knowledge not even when in uniform.

 

[jack the toad]

What does the uniform of a maroon look like?

(Just kidding. The title and your comment go so well together.)

What does the uniform of a maroon moron even look like???

 

[Stevens]

Went to a show this past weekend and was once again amazed at the number of people who pick up a gun from a table and immediately try to pull the trigger. I half expect them to say "bang-bang".

I am also puzzled by people who bring their dogs.

Rant mode off.

-Z-

This post reminded me:

Years ago when I was in the machinery export business, a good customer from Venezuela was in New Orleans on business. He wanted me to take him to a gun shop to look at revolvers. He spotted one he liked and asked to see it, the clerk handed it to him, he raised the revolver over his head like a drunken cowboy and started dry firing it, as he did he was making loud "pa pa pa" noises, seems in Venezuela guns go "pa pa pa" instead of bang bang. Everyone in the shop stared, the clerk didn't know what to do, I grabbed the gun, handed it to the clerk apologizing, and got us out of there. Luckily it was a gunshop I never needed to go back to.

 

[loknload]

Whether I'm at a show or in a shop, I only handle what I'm interested in and I handle as if it were my own! If a rag is handy I'll even wipe it down before I hand it back. If I'm handling something it's a sure bet I'm buying. I've had many a dealer thank me for my respect of their wares!
I just hate it when the morons have to push in on you when you're working a deal!