Gun Show

mule69

mule69

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I am going to one of the large traveling gun shows that post numerous signs relating to unchecked guns in the show.

I normally ignore signs that prohibit guns or concealed carry because it is concealed carry.

Does anyone have any experiences, opinions or advice as to carrying in a gun show.

Thanks
 
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Opinion (which you asked for):
when I encounter a sign at a business, venue, building that exhibits a no guns allowed sign, I either don't go in or I comply and return my weapon to the truck. That's in accordance with TN statues (39-17-1359)
 
mule69 said:
I am going to one of the large traveling gun shows that post numerous signs relating to unchecked guns in the show.

I normally ignore signs that prohibit guns or concealed carry because it is concealed carry.
Click to expand...

If you're going to ignore warning signs, you have to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky?

If someone sees you and complains, or you get caught by some of the off-duty cops that are often used as security for these events, you could lose your CCW, get arrested, have to pay a fine, and perhaps spend some time in the slammer.

My opinion is that the way things are these days, it's the wrong time to be ignoring posted warnings about carrying firearms. Especially at a gun show.

There's a thread around here somewhere, I think, where this subject's been beaten to death, reincarnated, then beaten to death again.

Just keep it simple...don't do it.
 
mule69 said:
I am going to one of the large traveling gun shows that post numerous signs relating to unchecked guns in the show.

I normally ignore signs that prohibit guns or concealed carry because it is concealed carry.

Does anyone have any experiences, opinions or advice as to carrying in a gun show.
Click to expand...
Sad to say, but it's practically considered compulsory by certain hard-core young studs in our area to lie to security and carry a loaded concealed handgun into gun shows. It will likely end badly for them (and us) someday, but there is not much anyone can do to stop it short of installing metal detectors and performing patdowns. :o
 
I was standing at a dealer's table when he discharged his carry gun into the air conditioning unit at the Houston Astro Hall show many years ago. A completely innocent AC unit had to die because he didn't follow the rules....what if it had been a show participant? I was at the end of the table, it could have been me.....

Yes, unload your guns BEFORE going into the show. Follow the rules, stay out of jail, and help make the show a SAFER place for all of us.....when was the last time that you heard about someone trying to rob a gun show? ;)

ETA - the five minutes after that shot rang out was the most quiet that I have EVER heard at any gun show anywhere.....the dealer got arrested and his table got summarily dumped into a box as he was led away in cuffs....with several thousand folks glaring at him.
 
Last edited:
It does annoy me that the place where I feel I should be most welcome with my firearm, forces me to unload it and have it tie-wrapped, or leave it in my car.
In this part of Wisconsin the Bob and Rocco shows are the most common, and that is their rule.
However, the local press, notably the Milwacky Urinal, loves to hype any firearm mishaps, or to misrepresent them. In the long years that B&R have been doing shows, here, there has been one AD that I remember, and one theft.

So I grudgingly unload. I know a number of the people who have been exhibiting for years. I also know that a number of exhibitors have firearms immediately available with ammo. If I take my gun in, unloaded, I have a knife in my pocket I can cut the tie wrap with, and either a magazine or speed strip in a pocket. That works for the parking lot - which is as safe a place as there can be with several hundred armed people around. I can then quickly load the gun, or I can carry another, loaded, in the lock box in my trunk.
 
It's never been a problem at any show I've attended. All I had to do was show them that the firearm was unloaded and safe, and allow them to zip tie it to ensure that it stays safe. When leaving, they just cut the zip tie off, and I waited until going outside to reload the magazine.
 
My opinion is it depends on two things.

1. Do no firearms signs carry the force of law in the state the gun show is being held in?

2. Are you looking to sell your carry piece?

If the signs do not carry the force of law and you do not plan on selling your carry piece I would keep it concealed and not take it out of the holster unless there is an emergency. (This is good advice everywhere you carry). You are not going to have a negligent discharge if you keep it in your holster. No one needs to be the wiser and if anyone does notice your gun for any reason all they can do is ask you leave. If you fail to comply with that request then you could be in trouble with the law for trespassing.

If the signs do carry the force of law in that state LEAVE IT IN THE CAR OR AT HOME.

If you are looking to sell you gun; unload it and have it checked at the door.

A little common sense can go a long way, but unfortunately, there is a lot of that lacking in much of our society today.


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YNC(AW) TangoCharlie said:
It's never been a problem at any show I've attended. All I had to do was show them that the firearm was unloaded and safe, and allow them to zip tie it to ensure that it stays safe. When leaving, they just cut the zip tie off, and I waited until going outside to reload the magazine.
Click to expand...

That's how it is at the Michigan shows I attend. I'm pretty sure it has to do with liability insurance. Do I like it? No. Do I understand the reason? Yes. So far, no fire fights have broken out at the shows I've attended. Seriously, if you feel this is an imposition, let your conscience be your guide. I'm not rolling those dice.
 
in south florida you have to walk through a metal detector and empty your pockets of metalic items, that after 2 gentelmen ask you if you have any firearms to check they dont allow you to have anything loaded , but then again thats the show i go to
 
The guns shows I have been too were more outfitters and stuff barely related to guns, so if I even bothered to go and saw a sign, I would just turn around and walk off even though signs in PA do not have the force of law. If they are idiotic enough to post a sign or hold such a venue at a place that is posted, they don't deserve my business.


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In Colorado the signs have no force of law and at the last gun show I went to they didn't even ask.
That said I just obey the signs it's easier than worrying about getting caught and asked to leave.

As for the signs themselves I think they're a waste of time because the kind of people that need to unload before going to gun show ignore the signs anyway.
 
Camster said:
Their place,their rules.If you don't want to comply,don't go.
Why risk a problem for yourself,why risk bad press for the sport.
Click to expand...

And that should (hopefully) be the logical end of the discussion and a quiet end to this thread.
cheers.gif
 
Harkrader said:
It does annoy me that the place where I feel I should be most welcome with my firearm, forces me to unload it and have it tie-wrapped, or leave it in my car.
In this part of Wisconsin the Bob and Rocco shows are the most common, and that is their rule.
However, the local press, notably the Milwacky Urinal, loves to hype any firearm mishaps, or to misrepresent them. In the long years that B&R have been doing shows, here, there has been one AD that I remember, and one theft.

So I grudgingly unload. I know a number of the people who have been exhibiting for years. I also know that a number of exhibitors have firearms immediately available with ammo. If I take my gun in, unloaded, I have a knife in my pocket I can cut the tie wrap with, and either a magazine or speed strip in a pocket. That works for the parking lot - which is as safe a place as there can be with several hundred armed people around. I can then quickly load the gun, or I can carry another, loaded, in the lock box in my trunk.
Click to expand...
I agree, but the only way to get this changed is stop going, when they no longer have any people showing up they'll rethink their stance on guns.
 
It's their venue, it's their rules. You have a choice, go in and follow the rules, or stay out.

When I'm visiting my son in AL, he likes to go to pawn shops with me and look at guns. One place he goes has a "No guns on premises" sign on the door. Even though it's not binding in AL and I don't like it, I comply. It's their business and if that's how they want to run it, customers should respect their rule or not shop there.

If enough people stop shopping their and let them know why, maybe they'll change their policy.
 
If it was your event, and your rules, and you had posted/notified everyone in advance, what would you want you to do? Would you respect your wishes, or would you blow yourself off and do whatever you wanted to do?
 
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