Concealed Carry at Gun Show

[Smeg]

Maybe a stupid question, but is concealed carry legal at a gun show?

I only ask because when I bring guns in to sell them, the officer at the front inspects it, then puts a tie wrap around the necessary bits to keep it from firing. Is this only done to ensure the safety of guns being brought for transactions, or is it necessary for every single gun that enters the show to be checked?

 

[mikeb3185]

some may restrict it

 

[SteyrAUG]

They "want" you to declare every firearm on your person so that they can inspect and zip them.

 

[Colt]

The check-in tables usually have a big sign that says "no loaded firearms beyond this point."

That's pretty clear to me. Shows are usually on private property, and there always seems to be at least one uniformed officer on site.

 

[Shooters Plus]

I won't tell you it's ok to carry in a gun show but I will say that concealed is concealed. I value my life more than a silly rule.

The officer is there to "make safe" firearms for possible transactions.

Good luck

 

[sacp81170a]

Check around and ask some questions. There are plenty of instances of individuals who should know better having ND's at gun shows. One I can recall hearing about is an LEO who was trying a holster on his pistol. Can't blame the promoters for trying to keep things safe.

I value my life more than a silly rule.

Uhh, in Arkansas you can lose your CCW permit for carrying against a property owner's wishes. Their house, their rules. Let's put it this way: would you mind very much if one of your friends came over to your house and violated your rules? Don't be so quick to trample on the property rights of others.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Depends on the state. Around here (Utah), you can legally carry in the gun show and the big show promoter out here (Crossroads of the West), has a big sign saying something to the effect of "We respect your right to carry and the Second Amendment and love liberty and apple pie blah blah blah blah blah, but please don't bring your loaded guns inside for everyone's safety because we've had X number accidental discharges in so many years, blah blah blah blah."

The promoter doesn't come out and prohibit it, but it's pretty obvious that they strongly discourage it.

My take is that they don't want you playing with loaded guns in the show. and I agree with that. If you're going to be trying out holsters and the like, get it zip tied. If you're going to going to keep it concealed and it is not against the law, I see no reason to disarm yourself.

 

[6_gunner]

All the gun shows I've been to require you to unload any guns you have on your person. If you hand them a loaded gun, they'll confiscate the ammo. I suppose it wouldn't be hard to sneak a CCW past them, but I wouldn't bother.

Doesn't seem like a big deal to me. I don't figure anybody would be crazy enough to try armed robbery at a gun show. Plus, if you did find yourself in need of a defensive weapon, there'd be plenty of options!

 

[littlegator]

The Las Vegas Gun Show has this rule:

As the public enters all guns must be checked at the door, clips out and ties to secure them so that they cannot be operated, be breached or loaded. All dealer guns if not under a glass case or taken apart must be tied.

I guess I'm a little slow, but I don't understand why the need for that policy. Any thoughts?

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

I guess I'm a little slow, but I don't understand why the need for that policy. Any thoughts?

Crowds of idiots and operable guns that may be loaded out on display are something best left unmixed. I feel a bit better knowing that the various weapons morons sweeping the crowd with have been cleared and rendered "safe."

Even with these precautions, somehow some folks still seem to manage to have an unexpected discharge at a gunshow.

And that doesn't even touch on the promotor's or venue's insurance requirements.

 

[kd7nqb]

All the gun shows I go to in Oregon have the table for zip-ties AND when you walk in they ask if you are carrying. You can tell them what you wish.

 

[mnrivrat]

I suppose you can ask that question of the people who are policing the show. I don't bother messing with my CCW when entering a show, and I do carry. To remove and unload your gun at the front door seems to me a unsafe practice .

In the show I would never remove my CCW to try it in a holster or for any other reason than what I carry it for in the first place. Trade guns should be checked at the door and they should indeed be unloaded as they are being handled. Your CCW is not being handled.

Unless a show post specificaly that CCW are not allowed, I don't relate them to the unloaded and tie rules. ( that's me - there seems to be other opinions, so I guess if you are concerned - ask )

 

[granuale]

Maybe a stupid question, but is concealed carry legal at a gun show?

Yes, concealed carry is legal at a gun show. No state has special carry rules for gun shows. Just like there is no "gun show loophole" for firearm sales, there is none for concealed carry or anything else.

Scott

 

[Ron James]

That rule is to simply keep the fools from shooting them self in the foot., and perhaps to prevent the stray nut from committing suicide. In Arizona if you take a gun into the show they will zip tie it and place a red paped dot on it
( does no harm to the firearm) to show you brought it in. There is a large theft problem at most large gun shows, I would not like to be embarrassed and have to prove the gun in my waist band is really mine. Unless I'm looking for a specific magazine or grips, or selling something, I never carry at a gun show. I've never felt I was in any danger of being mugged or robbed.

 

[mnrivrat]

I suppose you can ask that question of the people who are policing the show. I don't bother messing with my CCW when entering a show, and I do carry. To remove and unload your gun at the front door seems to me a unsafe practice .

In the show I would never remove my CCW to try it in a holster or for any other reason than what I carry it for in the first place. Trade guns should be checked at the door and they should indeed be unloaded as they are being handled. Your CCW is not being handled.

Unless a show post specificaly that CCW are not allowed, I don't relate them to the unloaded and tie rules. ( that's me - there seems to be other opinions, so I guess if you are concerned - ask )

 

[Shooters Plus]

by: sacp81170a

Let's put it this way: would you mind very much if one of your friends came over to your house and violated your rules? Don't be so quick to trample on the property rights of others.

What I didn't know wouldn't offend me one bit.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I won't tell you it's ok to carry in a gun show but I will say that concealed is concealed. I value my life more than a silly rule.

People who want my dollars respect my civil rights.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Yes, concealed carry is legal at a gun show. No state has special carry rules for gun shows.

Do any of the carry laws regarding public gatherings charging admission apply?

 

[Cougfan2]

I'm sure it's a safety issue. Personally with some of the yahoos that I've seen at gun shows, I'm glad they don't allow loaded weapons.

 

[littlegator]

I'm sure it's a safety issue. Personally with some of the yahoos that I've seen at gun shows, I'm glad they don't allow loaded weapons.

Isn't this one of the arguments the anti's always use? I'm not trying to be critical, but it seems ironic that I can't carry loaded into a gun show. I realize that the place is personal property and the 2nd Amend doesn't apply, but the principles are similar.

 

[jefnvk]

This is the reason I see why:

Joe Schmoe walks around a gun show, with his CCW. He sees something he likes, and decides he wants to trade his carry gun for it. Gun is being handled, presumably loaded.

Or, he sees a buddy. Starts talking about his carry gun, pulls it out to show. Again, loaded gun being handled.

Now, do I think Joe is unsafe, or that he shouldnt be allowed to handle loaded guns? Certainly not. However, if Joe should have an accident, that gun show is probably going to be closed down. And that is somethign that neither the promoters nor the patrons want.

Risk mitigation. We live in a litigious society.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Thats why they make Kel Tec.. P-32 or P3AT

 

[Cougfan2]

Isn't this one of the arguments the anti's always use? I'm not trying to be critical, but it seems ironic that I can't carry loaded into a gun show. I realize that the place is personal property and the 2nd Amend doesn't apply, but the principles are similar.

The antis use that argument for a different reason. I've been swept so many times at gun shows and seen people pull triggers when they haven't checked to see if the gun is loaded it scares the hell out of me. As much as we'd like to believe our own ranks always abide by the four rules, sad to say some of them don't.

 

[littlegator]

Makes sense.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

I'm in total agreement with sacp81170a, "Their house, their rules. Let's put it this way: would you mind very much if one of your friends came over to your house and violated your rules? Don't be so quick to trample on the property rights of others."