I'm back from the Nation's Gun Show. It wasn't as bad as I had expected.
When the show opened at 3:00, the lines were stretched around the block in two directions. This is more people than I've ever seen at that show. But once inside, it was only about twice or three times as crowded as it usually is. There was a palpable difference in the quality of the crowd, as well. This time, it appeared that there were more serious people -- serious buyers -- and fewer weirdos and window-shoppers than previously. People were filling out Form 4473's three deep in the aisles around the larger dealers' tables.
Parking in the Expo Center lot was unobtainable, but I had no trouble finding a spot on the street a couple of blocks away.
Medea Benjamin and a small group of Code Pink protestors were on hand to greet the show-goers. But if it wasn't for her shouting by bullhorn, they wouldn't have been noticed.The protestors were outnumbered by the large contingent of Virginia State Police and local law enforcement.
AR-15's, AK's, and large-capacity magazines were available, but at two or three times their previous prices. Some dealers were asking as much as $6,000 for AR's, but I didn't see them selling at those prices. You could get 30-round AR magazines for $35, and 20-rounders for $25. But dealers' stock was noticably less than at previous shows.
People that I talked to didn't seem to have firm opinions on whether a ban would pass, or not. It seemed that the prevailing attitude at this time was more one of hedging their bets. I wouldn't call it panic, but rather skepticism and caution.