mtnbkr
Member
Mal,
One of the new laws allows CCW holders to buy more than one handgun a month.
Chris
One of the new laws allows CCW holders to buy more than one handgun a month.
Chris
DC Area Gun Owners!!! Gun Show at Dulles Expo Center!
- Thread starter Roc_Kor
- Start date
- Status
Excellent! Not that I will be able to take advantage of it, but it's good to know.
Sure, that's been the case for a long time. Funds (or lack thereof) have never allowed me to apply for the permit. I know from others that it is fairly easy to get and almost always granted.
countertop
Member
Hi Dave. I sawa you Sunday and you signed me up. Thanks!
I bought a great little Marlin 336 for $150. Decent price, especially considering how overpriced some of the other guns were. I blogged it and the gun show, and posted some pics (of the gun and targets) at my blog.
jimbo
Member
A gun show in DC? I mean, isn't this like Victoria's Secret in Saudia Arabia? What's the point? You can't buy anything.
For those in Virginia, sure. But if you live in DC, it looks like an exercise in futility.
For those in Virginia, sure. But if you live in DC, it looks like an exercise in futility.
pauli
Member
wish i'd seen this thread earlier. ah well.
i was there both days, had a blast. any word on how many total tables and attendies? place was PACKED!
oh, and if anybody saw a guy wandering around today in an orange ars technica tshirt, that was me
i was there both days, had a blast. any word on how many total tables and attendies? place was PACKED!
oh, and if anybody saw a guy wandering around today in an orange ars technica tshirt, that was me
SapperLeader
Member
I had a blast, and went both days. First day I took a coworker(it was his first show), and he was awed, and wishing he had money. Sunday I took my brother. We had fun both days, I picked up some ammo I needed. I also found a sweet FR8 for a nice price, with excellent bore and great wood. I hope they do this gunshow again, I enjoyed myself. I wore my Molon Labe hat, but didnt run into anyone with one. I did meet Helmie at the I-shot booth, introduced myself, and had a nice chat wit him. Overall the show was great, I saw good deals, bad deals, and a whole lot of guns .
.Cacique500
Member
Went saturday morning and there were thousands of people in line and it was very hot! We waiting about 1.5 hours in line before we got in the door.
Politically I think it was great for No. Va. to have the show...there was a tremendous turnout.
As far as the show itself, it was a combination of C&E and Showmasters. MOST of the vendors there are at the Richmond, VA shows so I was disappointed they didn't have many new ones. Ammo was a disappointment, as there were really only 3 tables that had milsurp & bulk.
And as far as the Showmaster area, same ole' crap. Way overpriced junk that they call 'antique'. We've quit going to the Showmaster show in Richmond because it's so poorly stocked (no ammo tables at all the last two times we went).
It was fun to do it once, but it's easier for me to just go to the Richmond show (C&E that is) since it's all the same stuff.
Politically I think it was great for No. Va. to have the show...there was a tremendous turnout.
As far as the show itself, it was a combination of C&E and Showmasters. MOST of the vendors there are at the Richmond, VA shows so I was disappointed they didn't have many new ones. Ammo was a disappointment, as there were really only 3 tables that had milsurp & bulk.
And as far as the Showmaster area, same ole' crap. Way overpriced junk that they call 'antique'. We've quit going to the Showmaster show in Richmond because it's so poorly stocked (no ammo tables at all the last two times we went).
It was fun to do it once, but it's easier for me to just go to the Richmond show (C&E that is) since it's all the same stuff.
Bubbles
Member
Well, since I was working I didn't get a chance to see much of anything.
The show was packed. Nuts. Crazy. The last time I worked a show that was that busy was Richmond of December of 1999 (combined Christmas and Y2K rush).
We were told that 6000 people came in on Saturday, and 7500 had gone through the doors by 3:00 Sunday.
The #*(@&$!!! State Police only provided two people to process all of the background checks. Plus, the system was down for a while on Saturday morning, which didn't help.
All events in those buildings are always hot. You have to remember those buildings were designed to be department stores, which usually don't have as many people packed into them as were there over the weekend.
The next show on October 8-9 will be held in the bigger building. C&E turned away 200 dealers due to lack of space.
I hope y'all stopped by to see Delegate Black and Senator Cuccinelli. Without them we wouldn't have had a show this weekend. Also, if Senator McDonnell is there next time, razz him about voting for OGAM when it was first passed.
The show was packed. Nuts. Crazy. The last time I worked a show that was that busy was Richmond of December of 1999 (combined Christmas and Y2K rush).
We were told that 6000 people came in on Saturday, and 7500 had gone through the doors by 3:00 Sunday.
The #*(@&$!!! State Police only provided two people to process all of the background checks. Plus, the system was down for a while on Saturday morning, which didn't help.
All events in those buildings are always hot. You have to remember those buildings were designed to be department stores, which usually don't have as many people packed into them as were there over the weekend.
The next show on October 8-9 will be held in the bigger building. C&E turned away 200 dealers due to lack of space.
I hope y'all stopped by to see Delegate Black and Senator Cuccinelli. Without them we wouldn't have had a show this weekend. Also, if Senator McDonnell is there next time, razz him about voting for OGAM when it was first passed.
BrokenPaw
Member
Actually, Jimbo, having been in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia for a couple of months on business, I can tell you that, not only do they have Vicky's in SA, but it does rather a brisk business, too.[0]
I was there from about 9:15 AM to about 2 PM. Met THR members Bubbles and Cliff (they recognized my TFL Alumni shirt). It was good to put some faces to names.
I came this >< close to buying a new Beretta Storm to play with. I even went through the NICS check before my conscience reacquainted me with the fact that right now I need the money more than I need a new pistol-caliber carbine to play with. <sigh> Sometimes it sucks to have a conscience.
I did buy some airsoft toys to practice with, though.[1]Having only been to the Old Dominion gun shows, I was impressed with the size of this one.
One vendor sort of annoyed me, however. He was in the middle-left, toward the back, and he had some very odd-looking HK piece up on display. He was talking about how it held 50 rounds in a top magazine, could do and this and that and the other. I was curious, so I asked if I could see it. And he said (sort of sneered, actually), "No. It's law-enforcement only." Mostly it was his tone that put me off. If he'd said it in a nice way, I'd not have minded. So my irrepressible wife said, "If no one can look at it, why do you have it up there?", and he responded, "Because I can, and chicks dig me."
Anyone else run into that guy?Overall, a good show. I'm looking forward to the next one. Maybe I can justify that Storm to my conscience by then...
-BP
[0] I could tell you my "How I accidentally discovered what some of the women wear under the habaya" story, but Art's Grammaw would probably take exception.
[1] Which turned out to be a good thing; last night my wife was playing with the Airsoft Beretta 92, and got all pouty when I said we ought to put it away and eat dinner. She wanted to keep shooting. So we kept shooting, of course. Now she wants me to take her to the real range tonight.
I was there Saturday and have two complaints.
One, $10 to enter the show? C'mon, that's a little steep. Most of the shows in Virginia are $5.
The second is the BIG sign out front stating that concealed carry was forbidden. Is it just me or is it kind of crazy that a place that is selling firearms and has all kinds of pro-gun rights booths denies you the right to carry concealed. If this was a restaurant or other business most of us would boycott it.
One, $10 to enter the show? C'mon, that's a little steep. Most of the shows in Virginia are $5.
The second is the BIG sign out front stating that concealed carry was forbidden. Is it just me or is it kind of crazy that a place that is selling firearms and has all kinds of pro-gun rights booths denies you the right to carry concealed. If this was a restaurant or other business most of us would boycott it.
Roadrunner
Member
What a show. I felt like I was 5 yrs old again in a candy shop with money in hand. I showed an amazing amount of restraint, there were several tempting rifles and handguns I would have loved to buy.
I met up with Mal H, Mike Irwin, and Mtnbkr at the show. I have been to the expo center before for other shows, but I've never seen so many people waiting in line to get in. There is a pretty big parking lot there, and it was almost full.
Hopefully, whenever the C&E Show returns, they can expand it into both expo halls. We were all packed into the South Hall pretty good.
I didn't leave empty handed. Amoung the items I purchased was a nice small skinning knife for this year's deer season. I also spotted several brand new Mec-Gar magazines for a SIG P226. I talked him down to $12 per mag and bought 4 mags. Still looking for an AR-15 and a scope for my 1903A3.
One of the funniest things at the show, I bumped into a friend there who I never knew liked firearms. One of the many "closet" firearm and 2nd Amend supporters. We both got a good laugh out of it.
I met up with Mal H, Mike Irwin, and Mtnbkr at the show. I have been to the expo center before for other shows, but I've never seen so many people waiting in line to get in. There is a pretty big parking lot there, and it was almost full.
Hopefully, whenever the C&E Show returns, they can expand it into both expo halls. We were all packed into the South Hall pretty good.
I didn't leave empty handed. Amoung the items I purchased was a nice small skinning knife for this year's deer season. I also spotted several brand new Mec-Gar magazines for a SIG P226. I talked him down to $12 per mag and bought 4 mags. Still looking for an AR-15 and a scope for my 1903A3.
One of the funniest things at the show, I bumped into a friend there who I never knew liked firearms. One of the many "closet" firearm and 2nd Amend supporters. We both got a good laugh out of it.
Roadrunner
Member
I've got to agree with you on the $10 ticket fees. All the gunshows I've been to in Virginia have had signs stating no loaded firearms inside the building. Not sure of the reasons, maybe liability. Someone else may know the reasons.
The old THR shotgunning and gun show gang had a good time at the show on Saturday. We looked around for any Molon Labe shirts or hats and didn't see any. Too bad we couldn't all get together. Next time let's make an effort to get all THR'ers to meet somewhere before or after the show.
The only description that comes to mind to describe the crowd is 'zoo'. But we all agreed it was a good sign. It means the show coordinators will be happy to come back to the area. The dealers should have made a profit. A good and loud message was sent to the legislators and media. We are a big force and should not be ignored. We saw the local NBC news crew, but they weren't filming when we saw them. I did see a report on the show later that night on NBC. It was fairly well done; no adverse messages added by the media.
I agree that the $10 ($9 with the coupon) seems a little steep. But, if you think about it, it's not really out of line. If anything, the $5 fees at the other halls are the ones that are out of line. The Expo Center is a very expensive hall to rent. If the attendance figures are accurate, they only took in roughly $90,000 on Saturday. Hall rental probably took half of that, advertisements took another 20% or more. Add in a little profit and it doesn't seem too steep to me. By contrast, the rental at Hugo's and the VFW hall can't be anywhere near the rental at the Expo Center; far less than 1/10th I would guess.
Sign? I didn't see no stinkin' sign!
The only description that comes to mind to describe the crowd is 'zoo'. But we all agreed it was a good sign. It means the show coordinators will be happy to come back to the area. The dealers should have made a profit. A good and loud message was sent to the legislators and media. We are a big force and should not be ignored. We saw the local NBC news crew, but they weren't filming when we saw them. I did see a report on the show later that night on NBC. It was fairly well done; no adverse messages added by the media.
I agree that the $10 ($9 with the coupon) seems a little steep. But, if you think about it, it's not really out of line. If anything, the $5 fees at the other halls are the ones that are out of line. The Expo Center is a very expensive hall to rent. If the attendance figures are accurate, they only took in roughly $90,000 on Saturday. Hall rental probably took half of that, advertisements took another 20% or more. Add in a little profit and it doesn't seem too steep to me. By contrast, the rental at Hugo's and the VFW hall can't be anywhere near the rental at the Expo Center; far less than 1/10th I would guess.
Sign? I didn't see no stinkin' sign!
Bubbles
Member
So carry an empty pistol obviously zip-tied, openly in a holster, and tuck a loaded magazine into a pocket.
Until an incident yesterday I didn't much care for the no loaded guns policy either. However, an older "gentleman" yesterday stopped by our table to ask if we carried magazines for his pistol. When I asked him what it was, he pulled it out of the soft case and pointed it at me... business end first, a foot from my nosetip, finger on the trigger, and NOT ziptied. I pushed his hand down so the muzzle pointed at the floor and asked him not to point it at me. He put it right back, saying "oh it's not loaded and there's no magazine in it". I pushed it down again, he put it back, and then the dealer I work for just about broke this guy's fingers disarming him.
I DODN'T FREAKING CARE THAT THE GUN WAS "UNLOADED" DAMMIT YOU DON'T POINT IT AT ANYONE. (excuse my French and shouting)
This attendee was summarily ejected. If you were at the show early yesterday afternoon and heard the announcement about "check your guns at the door" this is why.
Now, I have been "swept" more times than I can count at gun shows by the attendees who are looking at the pistols for sale. However, in those cases I've just checked the pistol before I hand it over, action open, so that the customer can look at it. Customers with a clue ask if it's ok to close the action and dry-fire the firearm. If it doesn't hurt the gun, we don't have a problem with it. 99.9% of people point pistols at the floor, as they should.
Also, a few dealers end up sweeping the crowd. Dark Sun is one of the worst about this btw - watch them sometime. There was also a dealer up front whose name I didn't catch, but he swept the crowd a few times w/ a Tommy gun while the magazine was in it.
BTW did anyone else hear about the ATF agents who were ejected on Saturday afternoon? They were trying to purchase M16 parts for their AR15, and let the dealer know it. The parts dealer called security, ATF showed their badges, security didn't care and had 'em escorted out.
mtnbkr
Member
[Voice of Nelson]HA ha![/Voice of Nelson]
Chris
crucible
Member
Good on that dealer and the security!
The sign didn't say that one couldn't carry concealed; it said that all firearms had to be unloaded. When I went on Saturday and was waiting in line at the front, I decided to be honest and pulled my 1911 from my IWB holster and take the mag out-no big deal as the place was as safe as a place full of guns and ammo can be (and the mag was in the pocket close anyway).
The language that it used to start that sign was rather inflammatory, somethign on the effect of "Your CCL is not valid here" or something. That can and should be changed.
On Sunday I carried openly as I was assisting at the VCDL booth. At the exhibitors table where I got my badge before the show started, the woman never saw the (black) 1911 in the (black) paddle holster openly on my side (3 feet away and in her direct LOS), and didn't ask that I zip tie it, so I didn't. (I took the mag out as well beforehand). Others were seen and asked to do that; an interesting observation on just what folks see if they aren't looking I guess.
It was a great show, and just to gaze at some of the great numbers of historically significant firearms for sale and otherwise (the NRA USMC sniper weapon display from WWI to the present was a good example) was well worth it. I saw two (!) orginal LeMat's with one of them traced to the Confederate soldier that carried it, a 4 bore rifle (!!) that spat a 1/4lb of lead and used by some famous African safari hunter who's name I forget, and many others.
Shoot, a good portion was just militaria as well, and while facinating for the most part, I found myself distracted (*not* in a good way) more than once by one of the dealers who had a original Hitler poster ("Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Fuhrer!") displayed next to the booth. I know it's history and in fact I have an interest with that kind of stuff more than most, but that piece was still a bit oooogy after a few hours of it being in your eyesight whenever you turned in that direction. But I digress.....
The next one there is in October-should be equally as good if not better (though my wallet can wait; I picked up a DW 1911 Saturday) Hopefully the a/c won't be an issue in that month.
Cruc
The sign didn't say that one couldn't carry concealed; it said that all firearms had to be unloaded. When I went on Saturday and was waiting in line at the front, I decided to be honest and pulled my 1911 from my IWB holster and take the mag out-no big deal as the place was as safe as a place full of guns and ammo can be (and the mag was in the pocket close anyway).
The language that it used to start that sign was rather inflammatory, somethign on the effect of "Your CCL is not valid here" or something. That can and should be changed.
On Sunday I carried openly as I was assisting at the VCDL booth. At the exhibitors table where I got my badge before the show started, the woman never saw the (black) 1911 in the (black) paddle holster openly on my side (3 feet away and in her direct LOS), and didn't ask that I zip tie it, so I didn't. (I took the mag out as well beforehand). Others were seen and asked to do that; an interesting observation on just what folks see if they aren't looking I guess.
It was a great show, and just to gaze at some of the great numbers of historically significant firearms for sale and otherwise (the NRA USMC sniper weapon display from WWI to the present was a good example) was well worth it. I saw two (!) orginal LeMat's with one of them traced to the Confederate soldier that carried it, a 4 bore rifle (!!) that spat a 1/4lb of lead and used by some famous African safari hunter who's name I forget, and many others.
Shoot, a good portion was just militaria as well, and while facinating for the most part, I found myself distracted (*not* in a good way) more than once by one of the dealers who had a original Hitler poster ("Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Fuhrer!") displayed next to the booth. I know it's history and in fact I have an interest with that kind of stuff more than most, but that piece was still a bit oooogy after a few hours of it being in your eyesight whenever you turned in that direction. But I digress.....
The next one there is in October-should be equally as good if not better (though my wallet can wait; I picked up a DW 1911 Saturday
) Hopefully the a/c won't be an issue in that month.Cruc
Went both days, my feet are still killing me!
Ran into Leatherneck (well, actually he flagged me down), saw the VCDL guys and the BRA guys but missed everyone else. I wore my Molon Labe/TFL Alumni shirt on Saturday and a "DEL *.GOV" t-shirt on Sunday. I was a good boy, didn't buy a single gun. However, I'm now considering buying a new Bushie lower to go with the freefloat 20" stainless upper I bought.
John at Omega fixed my CZ52, I bought a boatload of AR mags and all the .30 Tok ammo I could find, munched out on Paige's beef jerky, and generally wandered around dumbstruck, the proverbial kid in a candy store, looking at all the amazing stuff. There were some bargains to be had, and it was really hard not to come home with half a dozen new guns. There were also some dealers whose prices seemed to me to indicate either a complete contempt for the buyers or a need to lay off the sauce when pricing.
The NFA stuff was very droolworthy, where's Henry Bowman when you need him! And I've never seen so many percussion guns in one room before. Way cool. All in all I had a great time and will definitely be back in October.
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Ran into Leatherneck (well, actually he flagged me down), saw the VCDL guys and the BRA guys but missed everyone else. I wore my Molon Labe/TFL Alumni shirt on Saturday and a "DEL *.GOV" t-shirt on Sunday. I was a good boy, didn't buy a single gun. However, I'm now considering buying a new Bushie lower to go with the freefloat 20" stainless upper I bought.
John at Omega fixed my CZ52, I bought a boatload of AR mags and all the .30 Tok ammo I could find, munched out on Paige's beef jerky, and generally wandered around dumbstruck, the proverbial kid in a candy store, looking at all the amazing stuff. There were some bargains to be had, and it was really hard not to come home with half a dozen new guns. There were also some dealers whose prices seemed to me to indicate either a complete contempt for the buyers or a need to lay off the sauce when pricing.
The NFA stuff was very droolworthy, where's Henry Bowman when you need him! And I've never seen so many percussion guns in one room before. Way cool. All in all I had a great time and will definitely be back in October.
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David Park
Member
countertop, thanks for joining VCDL, and crucible, thanks for your help at the table. This was our most successful show ever, thanks in part to the free press from the Washington Post. Sorry I missed Mal, Mike Irwin, and the crew. Sorry I missed the ATF guys too.
There are 1000 tables at the show (and I think they shoehorned in a few extra ones). I heard there were 10,000 people admitted on Saturday. I believe the C&E show in Richmond is 700 tables, which is not nearly as big, but they don't have all the "collector" dealers showing off their overpriced Lugers. The Richmond show is $7 for both days, so $10 isn't too outrageous (I'm sure the promoter's costs were pretty steep). The real price gouging was happening at the concession stand ($8 for Italian sausage and large Coke).
CCW is legal in the show, you just have to unload and tie your firearm. It sounds like a silly rule until the first loud "Bang!" I open carried with a spare mag on my belt, so I could reload as soon as I left. Some of the VCDL folks use those chamber flag things, so that the gun is obviously unloaded but not tied. Like Bubbles, I'm more concerned about the chance of getting shot by an "unloaded" gun than I am about needing to defend myself with lethal force at a show.
I was ready to buy 2 cases of Aussie .308 on Sunday, but they sold out on Saturday. I consoled myself with a book (The Tactical Rifle).
P.S. jimbo posted "A gun show in DC? I mean, isn't this like Victoria's Secret in Saudia Arabia?" Actually, a DC resident stopped by the table to ask about getting a VA non-resident CCW permit. He can get the permit; getting the handgun to carry is his problem.
(Apparently he has family and friends in VA and MD who could keep a firearm for him.)
Sorry I missed Mal, Mike Irwin, and the crew. Sorry I missed the ATF guys too. There are 1000 tables at the show (and I think they shoehorned in a few extra ones). I heard there were 10,000 people admitted on Saturday. I believe the C&E show in Richmond is 700 tables, which is not nearly as big, but they don't have all the "collector" dealers showing off their overpriced Lugers. The Richmond show is $7 for both days, so $10 isn't too outrageous (I'm sure the promoter's costs were pretty steep). The real price gouging was happening at the concession stand ($8 for Italian sausage and large Coke).
CCW is legal in the show, you just have to unload and tie your firearm.
It sounds like a silly rule until the first loud "Bang!" I open carried with a spare mag on my belt, so I could reload as soon as I left. Some of the VCDL folks use those chamber flag things, so that the gun is obviously unloaded but not tied. Like Bubbles, I'm more concerned about the chance of getting shot by an "unloaded" gun than I am about needing to defend myself with lethal force at a show.I was ready to buy 2 cases of Aussie .308 on Sunday, but they sold out on Saturday. I consoled myself with a book (The Tactical Rifle).
P.S. jimbo posted "A gun show in DC? I mean, isn't this like Victoria's Secret in Saudia Arabia?" Actually, a DC resident stopped by the table to ask about getting a VA non-resident CCW permit. He can get the permit; getting the handgun to carry is his problem.
(Apparently he has family and friends in VA and MD who could keep a firearm for him.)countertop
Member
No problem. I've been meaning to for some time but had trouble registering at your web page. We spoke for a bit. Keep up the good work.
I saw that today on the VCDL web page, emailed the link to my brother in New Jersey, and he is set to apply so that he can carry when he visits me.
Crucible,
Mike Irwin was telling me about the show today at work.
He was absolutely ranting about some of the people he saw at the show.
Apparently one guy was walking around in a reproduction WW II SS blouse with SS skull & crossbone collar patches.
He also told me about a show in Richmond years ago that had several dealers in Nazi stuff, including a dealer at one table fully dressed in WW II Nazi battle dress with SS insignia, but that the SS never would have touched him at about 5' 4" and 350 pounds.
As a person of Jewish extraction, I'm glad that I couldn't get to the show, and now I'm not so sure I want to go to one if I'm going to have to see this kind of crap.
Mike Irwin was telling me about the show today at work.
He was absolutely ranting about some of the people he saw at the show.
Apparently one guy was walking around in a reproduction WW II SS blouse with SS skull & crossbone collar patches.
He also told me about a show in Richmond years ago that had several dealers in Nazi stuff, including a dealer at one table fully dressed in WW II Nazi battle dress with SS insignia, but that the SS never would have touched him at about 5' 4" and 350 pounds.
As a person of Jewish extraction, I'm glad that I couldn't get to the show, and now I'm not so sure I want to go to one if I'm going to have to see this kind of crap.
JPL - the guy in the SS uniform was also around 5'-4", if that tall. Makes you wonder doesn't it?
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