Washington Gun Show

Welcome, and yes the shows are worth it. In the event that you don't want to join and just want to go to the show it is $8 to get in and you can buy stuff just not guns and check out if it is worth your while. If you decide you want to buy a gun and have your CCW you used to be able to Join the WAC right there and have then credit the $8 bucks I don't know if they still do that or not so it wouldn't hurt to ask.

Pay the $8 go in and see what you think.

are there significant discounts on weapons, accessories, and ammunition that can't be found online?

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Significant discounts? Depends on what you consider significant.
That's a loaded question. Are you talking new or used? Guns or supplies? Are you including the cost of shipping (and FFL fees for guns) ?
How much do you value the ability to actually see and handle what you're buying? etc., etc.
The monthly WAC show at Puyallup is quite large and if you are diligent, you usually can find a pearl or two amonst the swine. There's a lot of overpriced stuff, but also bargains to be found.
I haven't been to the one in Monroe in a number of years so I can't speak for it.

Deadin and the Pole have it right. With patience you can get great buys, both on used guns and all manner of stuff. If you have to have it right now, you can pay too much for anything.
I go to both the Monroe and Puyallup shows. Puyallup is much bigger. We still apply admission to joining and having your cpl will make the process quicker; but if you don't have it I believe they request a check while you wait, it just takes longer.
Go to Puyallup next weekend. For $8 it's more fun than a movie.

Hope to run into you Deadin.
-BothellBob

Welcome to the area!

If you decide you want to buy a gun and have your CCW you used to be able to Join the WAC right there and have then credit the $8 bucks I don't know if they still do that or not so it wouldn't hurt to ask.

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Yes, that is still the way it works. The Monroe show costs $7 and the Puyallup $8.

The Puyallup gunshow is much larger than the one in Monroe (maybe 3 times as large). However, I still think the Monroe show is worth it (for my commute). Deals on guns at either show can be found, but they are not just everywhere. Usually, I am there to browse guns and pick up some reload ammo. The ammo deals are usually pretty good, although the ammo prices at the shows seem to be approaching the costs of ammo in gun shops lately.

WAC is a hypocritical organization that damages our firearms rights. I have never and will never go to one of their shows.

Please explain Mainsail.

You can go to the show for something like $10-15 per person without being a member.

You have to be a member to take a firearm into the show and you have to be a member to buy or sell at the show.

I let my membership expire a few years ago. The show is a nice place to look around but the guns are usually higher priced than at the local gun shop.

There are however good deals to be had on ammo. Be careful though of gun show reloads.

Its $8 to get in. $35 to become a member. I used to go every show, but now more like every other show because its 90% the same stuff everytime.

I've been a WAC member for a few years. I probably only make it to 2-4 shows a year, usually the one in Puyallup even though I live closer to Monroe, as it's a much bigger show. I'm mostly interested in the older firearms & have been able to pick up some good buys, but it pays to do your research to know the values of what you're interested in before you go.

Please explain Mainsail.

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Yes, Please explain.
I find it interesting that you can damn a show that you've never been to.
(Or wouldn't they let you join?)

IMPORTANT:I have absolutely nothing against the members who have chosen to join WAC and have several friends who are members. My complaint is NOT against the many good people who are members, but against the anti-gun policies at their shows. AGAIN, I have as much respect and admiration for WAC members as I do for any other lawful gun owner. Please don’t turn this into personal attacks back and forth. (Also, I caught the underhanded jab about not being able to join, sorry, that’s nonsense. I meet all their requirements but will not support them for the reasons below.)

I have several reasons for not supporting WAC based on their ban on the normal carry of firearms at their shows. If you arrive with a loaded firearm lawfully carried in a holster they will demand that you unload it and then they will strap it with a zip-tie.

First, the reason for this policy is not because of insurance rules, as some will inevitably claim. They have this policy because they consider it unsafe for people to carry a loaded firearm in that environment. I don’t know if they have had an accident that drives this rule, or if they are fearful of an accident, nevertheless, their argument against loaded firearms matches exactly the argument made by DC, Chicago, and almost all colleges; people cannot be trusted with loaded firearms. The only people they allow to carry are security and police officers, everyone else is safer disarmed. Sound familiar? I carry safely every day, and every day I exercise and demonstrate safe and responsible firearms ownership and carry. The WAC show can, apparently, only do so by enforcing a D.C. style gun ban.

“You don’t need a loaded firearm there.” So what? I’ve never needed a loaded firearm anywhere….so far. It’s not about need. Virginia Tech didn’t think anyone ‘needed’ a firearm on campus. Tacoma Mall doesn’t think anyone ‘needs’ a firearm in the mall. I could go on and cite dozens of examples, but you get the point.

Second, The policy is detrimental to our firearms rights. The next time our legislators in Olympia gather to debate banning firearms in banks or parks, all they need to do is point to the WAC anti-gun policy. If it is dangerous for a group of people (entirely familiar with firearms) to carry firearms at a gun show, is it safe for anyone to carry a firearm in a city park? “Citizens don’t need a firearm in a bank, let’s add that to the list of banned places.” There are few things more dangerous than a legislator deciding when or where a citizen ‘needs’ a civil right.

Third, the policy endangers the future of all gun shows, not only in Washington, but everywhere else by creating indifference among other gun owners. Just like some hunters will stand idly by while black rifles are banned, how hard are gun owners going to fight for gun shows if they don’t/won’t/cannot attend one anyway? Am I going to march on Olympia, write a letter, or donate money to support a venue I will never use? Of course not. If gun shows are totally banned in WA it’s no hair off my ass, I don’t go to them anyway

WAC could, if it wanted to, create rules and policies that would ensure the safety of attendees without resorting to a complete Chicago style gun ban.

Mainsail

I clearly see your point and fully respect your reasons for not attending their shows. Thank you for the explanation.

Mainsail,
I respect your right to feel the way you do and fully understand why you won't attend any WAC shows.
I am somewhat curious what your answer would be to your statement:

WAC could, if it wanted to, create rules and policies that would ensure the safety of attendees without resorting to a complete Chicago style gun ban.

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Well if you don't go, I guess it's more guns for me. I fully understand and support their policy. All it takes is one accidental discharge and the liberals would be all over it. It's the largest gun show in the state, held right in the middle of the biggest concentration of liberals in the state. You may be the world's safest concealed permit holder, but I'm sure there are some morons out there that are accidents waiting to happen. I've seen them.

To answer the original post, I've been going for about five years now. Prices have recently gone up, as they have everywhere else. At least at the last show I could still find ammo, when Sportsman's Warehouse and even Wal-Mart are very thin. I priced ammo I was interested in, mainly 9x18, 5.56mm, and 7.62x54R and it was about the same or a little less than online, but of course no shipping. There are dealers there, of course, but some have decent prices. The folks that rent tables only on occasion seem to be the ones more willing to deal. There's also a "Saturday only" section, which is the place to go to first. Those are where most of the occasional table holders are. Overall I think it's worthwhile. Even if you don't buy anything there's worse ways to spend a couple hours than looking at guns.

deadin said:

I am somewhat curious what your answer would be to your statement:

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When you enter the show you have the option of either having your firearm strapped so as to render it inoperable or are warned against removing it from your holster. This is the same policy that Cabela’s or Sportsman’s Warehouse has when you wear a firearm into their store. If, during the course of the show you decide that you simply must show your sidearm to someone or decide to check a holster fit you walk back to the clearing area and clear it.

Washington has laws against the dangerous or unsafe handling of firearms. Anyone in the show that violates the law should be arrested and lose their membership. Firearms are a zero mistake product, and as such there should be a zero tolerance policy towards their misuse.

RCW 9.41.270: It shall be unlawful for any person to carry, exhibit, display, or draw any firearm, dagger, sword, knife or other cutting or stabbing instrument, club, or any other weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm, in a manner, under circumstances, and at a time and place that either manifests an intent to intimidate another or that warrants alarm for the safety of other persons.

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Atarian said:

All it takes is one accidental discharge and…

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Seriously? That’s your defense? What would happen if a lawfully carrying person had an AD (or more properly, an ND) in the mall? Or in the bank? Or in the classroom at a college? Your reasoning in support of their policy is straight from the Sara Brady book on firearms bans. Punish the stupid and inept, not the law abiding. Sorry, FAIL.

So you've decided that you need to pull your piece for one reason or other.
You've gone to the "clearing area" and cleared it. Is it then also strapped?

Go to the outdoor range in Issaquah. Only $10 per person for the whole day. http://www.issaquahsportsmensclub.com/

I've been thinking of going for a while to pick up some ammo but with the Obama scare, I figured the deals were out the door. Anyone know what .223 ammo is running? Not reloads but factory or milsurp.

Seattleimport - I go to and am a member of the Interlake Sporting Association. Our range is right between Redmond and Kirkland. The pistol range is up to 25 yards and the rifle range has 25, 100 and 200 yard berms. I love the place but the annexation issues might mess things up sooner than later. If you want to check it out, shoot me a PM.

Seriously? That’s your defense? What would happen if a lawfully carrying person had an AD (or more properly, an ND) in the mall? Or in the bank? Or in the classroom at a college? Your reasoning in support of their policy is straight from the Sara Brady book on firearms bans. Punish the stupid and inept, not the law abiding. Sorry, FAIL.

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Uh, yes, I'm quite serious. If you had an AD in the mall, they ("they" = the anti-gunners) would not try to shut down the mall. If you had an AD in a bank, they would not try to shut down the bank. If you had an AD in a gunshow, you bet your ass the liberal media would make it a front page headline. This is Seattle, not Austin. The WAC does not own the building/land where they hold the show - they rent it. You don't think the liberals could exert any pressure on the owners of the fairgrounds? Might be time for a reality check.

If gun shows are totally banned in WA it’s no hair off my ass, I don’t go to them anyway.

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Nice attitude. I suppose if they come after AR's (or .50's or whatever) first, it's no hair off your ass either if you don't own one. Sorry - FAIL.

That is a silly argument at best. No, of course they won’t shut down the mall or the bank, that isn’t the point. But “they” would seek to ban firearms in those and other places, which believe it or not, is far worse than the end of gun shows. Here in Washington we are free from the myriad patchwork of ‘no-gun’ areas that plague some other states. I can carry (openly even) into a state liquor store or my bank. I don’t have to leave my sidearm in my car (a truly dangerous side effect of no-gun places) when I’m visiting a restaurant just because they serve alcohol.

You seem resigned that a negligent discharge is inevitable at the gun show if people are allowed to keep and bear their arms loaded? Are you saying that people cannot be trusted with loaded firearms? Are you admitting that at least some WAC members are far too inept to carry loaded firearms?

Again, this argument is straight from the gun banner’s handbook. Firearms are far too dangerous for people to carry. Even if some people can be safe with firearms, most people are too incompetent to own such hazardous instruments, so it’s better for society to get rid of them altogether.

The myth that guns “just go off” is prevalent in the media. The WAC gun show policy reinforces the idea that guns are too dangerous for mere citizens to own or carry. It demonstrates that even people immersed in firearms and firearms culture cannot safely handle guns. WAC seems to believe that NDs are a predictable side effect of firearms, so it has to disarm everyone to ensure safety. Sorry, I don’t agree with that thought.

If you’re going to argue in favor of their policies, please present a reasoned case that doesn’t depend on anti-gun clichés. I’m open to having my mind changed here, so let’s hear it.

Let’s see, it seems that your premise is that anyone that has a CCW has enough common sense to not have a ND or AD at a gun show any more than they would in a mall, bank, etc. Do you really believe that? If you do, you’ve got a lot more trust in our fellow gunowners than I do.
Besides, they’re very unlikely to be pulling out a gun to show it to someone in the mall, etc. At a gun show where guns are being handled, displayed, played with and so on, it’s much more likely that a loaded gun is going to have that AD/ND at some point. So, in answer to your questions:

Are you saying that people cannot be trusted with loaded firearms? Are you admitting that at least some WAC members are far too inept to carry loaded firearms?

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,my response is YES, SOME people can't be trusted! The problem is sorting out those that can from those that can't.
If you let everybody have a loaded gun, there is the chance of an AD/ND. If you let no one have one, there is no chance. (Other than those that decide they are better than the rules of the club or are too stupid to follow them.)
I trust myself, I may trust some of my acquaintances, but trust everybody just because they have a piece of paper that basically says they don’t have a criminal record (yet) and they weren’t certifiable when they applied for the permit, NO WAY. (And, by the way, I don’t expect others to trust me either.)

Also, I’m still interested in your solution of having a “clearing” area if one decides they want to handle their carry gun for any reason. I asked if your plan was to “clear” the gun and then have it tied, or just clear it and leave it untied.

I wouldn't say I'm in favor of their policy, but I understand their position (as well as yours). You're right too that we don't have a lot of the silly gun laws here that other states have, which is even more amazing as we have a Democratic governor. Governess, I guess. Now if we can get rid of that moron Nickels...

Mathematically speaking, yes, an AD *is* inevitable over time (providing that the gun shows aren't banned, in which case this discussion becomes moot). And yes, there are WAC members that probably aren't the best examples of firearms safety - I've had rifles and pistols pointed at me several times, which I don't particularly care for even though they are presumably not loaded.

So in summary, they may not have the ideal policy, but I will still go. I don't like the way my tax money is being spent, but I guess I'll keep paying taxes too.