Gun Show Solution---Get a Table!

[Low Budget Shooter]

Dear THR,

For everyone who is about to swear off attending gun shows because of paying to park, paying to get in, then not being able to find any bargains, I advise you get a table with your buddy. It improves the experience tremendously.

I don't know how much a table is at the big gun shows, but at our local small-time operation a single table is pretty cheap. So by splitting a table with your shooting buddy, the price is comparable to or less than the gate fee. Because you've got a place to set things down, you can bring your lunch and avoid the concession stand prices.

Then you get to park in the vendor parking, and have a look around at everyone's table before the customers enter. As for what to sell, you poke around in the gun safe and the garage for items you don't really use or need, and put those out on your table for a bargain price. With the money you make on that, you pick up a thing or two that you do need.

I did this for the first time a few months ago, and it was great. We're going again next time, and I'm looking forward to it.

LBS

 

[22-rimfire]

It is not a bad idea as long as the show does not require you to be a FFL dealer to sell firearms. Locally it is not a requirement here.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

That's not a half bad idea. You wouldn't even have to sell guns. With some of the crap you see being sold, just take anything.

 

[Hutch]

Been doing exactly that 3x per year for ~ 10 years.

 

[John Wayne]

Hmm. Interesting.

Admission to shows around here is $7, and parking is $5. Tables, IIRC, are $60 but there is something to be said for not being rushed...and also having a place to display your stuff if you're trying to trade or sell anything.

 

[ThomasT]

I have thought about getting a table before. I was gonna do it one time but all the tables were spoken for.

My wife has 300+ beanie Babies!!! WooHoo!!! I know what I'm gonna sell!!!!

I make really good jerky too.

 

[smoking357]

Also, as private transactions, you wouldn't need to complete a 4473 for any gun you sell out of your own collection to an in-state resident, correct?

 

[wishin]

Good idea. If the table fee is as low as you indicate, there would be no need to even set up. You could simply be a no show and still have a shot at the pick of the litter.

 

[danprkr]

Now if only there were a gun show in my town. The city has managed to kill them here in Austin.

 

[janedoedad]

Aaaannndd..... 'Some' vendors give a discount to those with Exhibitor badges.

 

[Dave Bone]

You are correct, smoking357.

As for the bean bags. You will probably be asked to leave. All the shows I do are pretty strict on what you can / can not sell. If it is not firearm, hunting, knife or reloading related they won't ask you to come back. Many you can not even sell T shirts.

 

[Win1892]

I rented a table at a show 50 miles from home and took a buddy over and set up a table. Spent the night and went back to the show Sunday. Took about 15 handguns and 10 long guns and some ammo I did not need. Sold 9 guns and all the ammo for $4800. Bought a S&W PC629, a Colt Satin Nickle Commander, and a Ruger MKIII Hunter(for my girlfriend). Met a bunch of great people, talked a lot of BS, went home in a great mood with 2 new treasures.

I highly recommend everyone do this at least once.

 

[jnyork]

If you think gunshows are a little goofy, wait till you get a table and see it from the other side! Better than a trip to the zoo!

 

[wilkersk]

I sold a bunch of 7.62X39 by sitting behind a table at a gun show this past year.

Got to look around at what everyone else brought to sell. Problem is, everyone knows the value of what they're selling. But, still not what its worth to me.

Everything I saw that I was interested in was priced at high retail. If I pay full price, I want full service.

I don't like gunshows.

I sold my stuff quick, for a fair price, and went home early.

 

[nalioth]

Also, as private transactions, you wouldn't need to complete a 4473 for any gun you sell out of your own collection to an in-state resident, correct?

Your question cannot be answered, due to the lack or your location.

In Texas, private sales require no paperwork at all (except for the little green pieces of history).

 

[dogtown tom]

smoking357 Also, as private transactions, you wouldn't need to complete a 4473 for any gun you sell out of your own collection to an in-state resident, correct?

You couldn't if you wanted to. The only time a 4473 is used is when an FFL sells or transfers a firearm. If you aren't an FFL you don't use them no matter where you live.

Federal law allows a nonlicensee to sell firearms to other residents of the same state as long as they are not known to be a prohibited person. Be aware that some states prohibit or strictly regulate private party sales.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Not a bad idea but it is still a gun show and they have not been any good since I could get 7.62x39 ammo for 50 bucks 1000 rounds. Yeah, it has been that long since gun shows were worth a lick.

All they are now is new product showcases. I used to go to gun shows to find nice older guns but now those have faded into the woodwork and ammo is cheaper at the local mom and pop store.

 

[jaysouth]

Two friends and I do this once a year. The table is $55. three passes are $21 or $42 for two days. Well worth the money and I have even made some money and made a lot of new acquaintances in the gun community.

We always put up a sign that says "Private Collection, Positive ID absolutely required!" We also put out a couple of dozen donuts out on the first day. Within an hour, you know who the ATFE and undercover cops are.

Our sign keeps the gangbangers and other lowlife away and makes the promoter happy. He has taken a couple of photos of our sign and made favorable comments. Of course, we don't ID folks we know.

As far as making money, you always leave with more new toys than old toys that you have sold at a profit. But being behind the table gives you an advantage over 'door sharking'.

 

[Oyeboten]

Very true..!


I used to do that years ago, and I've been thinking to start doing it again.

You get to look around so much better than if merely an attendee...

Fill the Table with stuff you can do without, have fun, make friends and acquaintances among the other Table-people, have 'Good Guy' prices on your stuff, make it fun, make some dough, use the dough for buying some things you do want, or save for a rainy day...works out perfect.

I find even still, I get treated much better by various long time sellers, even get invited to visit and sit behind their table a while and shoot the breeze, because they still remember me from years ago when I did have a Table.


"One of us...one of us...Oooh-guh-Booh-guh...one of us..." ( Sorry, old Tod Browning reference...)


But...it does work that way...

 

[hso]

Getting a table at a show is a great experience and I encourage everyone to do it some time.

 

[rmfnla]

Great suggestion!

I got a table when I moved from Atlanta and wanted to "thin the herd."

I made some $, had a great time and really enjoyed being on the other side of the "us vs. them" equation.

I agree with wilkersk that too many exhibitors ask pie-in-the-sky prices, but that's what offers are for.

I love gun shows!

 

[PershingRiflesC-7]

We also put out a couple of dozen donuts out on the first day. Within an hour, you know who the ATFE and undercover cops are.

Profiling is so un-PC...

We always put up a sign that says "Private Collection, Positive ID absolutely required!"

This is a great practice. Also, remember it is not all good guys there and dealers with good security systems get ripped off at shows. It is even easier to get lax if you don't do it on a regular basis.

 

[Erik M]

I dont think that you would have to have an FFL in KY or TN. Its not rerquired to sell all of the things like fake ninja swords and beany babies that you will find at our local shows.

 

[Creek Rat]

When you make a private party sale do you keep any record of who the gun was sold to?

I know this question goes beyond just gun shows but in a gun show environment particularly I can imagine people looking to pick up a gun anonymously for reasons other than convenience. Any worry that trouble may come back to you somehow?

 

[jaysouth]

1. You can ask for drivers license to prove residency. If that's good, you have done the bare minimum. I also ask for a Concealed weapon permit. If they have that, it usually means no felony conviction is the past few months. This is not necessary, but it proves diligence on your part.

2. You can ask for ID and record the sale. ID type, ID number, name, DOB, address, etc. and description, SN, etc of the gun. This really proves diligence and would be in order for dealing with a total stranger

I was once visited by two ATF agents who were tracking a gun that I had purchased from a dealer several years earlier. I told them that I did not know the person that I had sold it to, but had asked for and received a driver's licenese proving residency and the person also displayed to me a concealed handgun permit. After being satisfied, I took the money. I did not record any details of the ID or transaction.

The agents were disappointed that I could not name the buyer, but thanked me for my time and dilligence in asking for ID from the buyer to prove residence.

If you use good judgement, there won't be any comeback. You are not required to keep any records of the private transaction (in most states) and the state/gov must prove that you knew that the buyer was a prohibited person to make a case against you for selling to a felon, etc. If you do not have actual knowledge that the buyer is a prohibited buyer, you are good to go. If there is any doubt about age, ask for ID. If there is any doubt about residency, ask for ID. Again, there is no requirement that you record any of this information.

And always, always maintain that you lost money on the deal to preclude any thoughts that you are engaged in a for profit business as an unlicensed gun dealer.

I see exhibitors buying guns and reselling them at the same show at a profit. This does not prove that you are an unlicensed gun dealer, but it certainly raised that issue and will subject you to a lot more attention than you want. In conversations at the booth, I always tell everybody that I am cleaning out some guns that I have had for several years and just never get around to shooting any more. And yes, if the right deal comes along, I will reinvest some of that money in a new toy.

Be honest, use good judgement and you will have a good time. But to ward off the gangbangers, put up the sign that says "Positive ID absolutely required for purchase".