I LOVE GUN SHOWS - HOWEVER!

[johnny blaze]

I attended the show in Columbus Ohio this past week end. It was really a good show and I got a chance to visit with some old friends that I have not seen in years, and also sell a pistol that I did not need anymore.
There was a large selection of about anything that you wanted (except for 5mm rimfire ammo).
I really have to hand it to the folks that run the show, as they do a fantastic job. GREAT JOB!!!!
On Saturday, there were some young enterprising guys that came into the show. I guess that they figured that they really needed a couple nines to add to their gang arsenol, which of course they did not want to pay for.
They grabbed two off of a dealers table, and ran for the door. The security immediately locked the place down, however the two perps had made it throught the door, and were running toward a bunch of apartments within eye sight of the show.
There were alot of LEOs and security chasing them. The bad guys made it to the back of the lot where they were taken into custody. I am not sure where all the LEOs and cars came from, as I did not see them when I entered the show, just a few on security. I really have to hand it to them, they were ready. It is good to know that they are at these events keeping the bad guys under check.
What is really sad, is the fact that the bad guys think that they can just take whatever they want, especially they way it happened. I have been to many gun events, and I have been there when someone picked up a gun and tried to walk out with, or actually took a gun, but nothing like this.
The sad thing is, the dealers or participants of the shows work very hard to build up a business, and these punks with no morals just think that they can take what they want, when they want.
I know the dealer that it happened to, and he was nervous, and really trying to keep a close watch on his firearms after the incident.
We are definately living in a much different world than it was just 10 years ago.
That brings me to another point. Why don't the liberals get rid of the gangs instead of going after the guns, as the gangs with the thefts and drugs and such seem to be generating 80 percent of the crime. I guess that the guns are a much easier target,and the fact that you are dealing with law abiding individuals, makes it even easier. That is my two cents worth. Enough said.
Again, my hat goes off to the security and the LOEs that handled the situation extremely well. GREAT JOB GUYS!!!

 

[22-rimfire]

There are always a considerable number of LEO's at most gunshows both on duty and off duty. They also like to shop. I'm glad they caught the two guys. Things have changed and not for the better in many ways. Enjoyed your post, sir.

 

[larry starling]

Glad to hear the little B*****ds got caught.....At a boy for the guys in blue.

 

[one-shot-one]

BECAUSE

"Why don't the liberals get rid of the gangs instead of going after the guns, as the gangs with the thefts and drugs and such seem to be generating 80 percent of the crime. I guess that the guns are a much easier target,and the fact that you are dealing with law abiding individuals, makes it even easier."

THEY DON'T WANT TO LOCKUP THE FOLKS WHO PUT THEM IN OFFICE!

 

[Kharn]

At the last show I went to, several dealers had some kind of mesh that was tightly drawn and clamped to the underside of the table on 3 sides, and only open to the rear. It took some digging for the salesmen to get to anything, but it seemed to work.

I guess that solution is also less expensive than the flip-top glass cases I've previously seen.

Kharn

 

[UnintendedConsequences]

I got mistaken for an ATF agent (OUCH!)

I went to a gun show this weekend and after walking around the small Elk's lodge building I made a second pass by a dealer with some unusual items and figured I would check them out to satisfy my curiousity. A few moments after looking over a blue printed Remington 700 in .308 with a Springfield Armory 4-14x52 scope on it, he comes over and asks me why I am at the show.

I said I was just looking around and browsing and introduced myself as a Class 01 FFL, which I am, and had copies of my FFL in a hard sided folder I carried with me in case I wanted to buy something while I was there. He told me I looked like an ATF agent because of my short hair and conservative clothing. I had on a faded t-shirt and jeans and surplus combat boots. He told me people with a note book like mine and looking like I do make dealers nervous.

I appologized for making him uncomfortable. I explained I was taking notes about the show for later in the year when I will start running gun shows. He said most dealers wouldn't be as understanding as he was after I identified myself. It bothered me then and still does that I come off looking like an ATF agent even when I wear my ratty comfortable clothes.

I did have the door checkers read me the riot act after I bought a rifle from a dealer though, at it lacked the required sticker to assure that it wasn't being stolen out the door. The man told me I needed to get a sticker from the dealer or he would confiscate it and take it home with him. He said this dead pan and with a facial expression telling me he was being serious. I went back to the dealer and he fetched the sticker for me, but the impression was made in my mind about the show.

It was attended by those who are jumpy about ATF agents and a bit high strung, for good reason. Second, the management of the show, while security conscious and very watchful made me think about how it is perceived by customers who aren't trying to steal something, have lawfully purchased their firearms. I will stick with those shows closer to home as they do the security thing with just as secure a mindset, but with a more relaxed manner. That and the dealers are not as twitchy about potential ATF informants looking to get people in trouble.

 

[#shooter]

Last time was so crowded I was surrounded by a bunch of guys which half smelled of sweat and the other half of cheap cologne. I have been to shows that are so packed, that there is no room to stand and look at the table. You just shuffle up and down the isle and if you stop to look you’re blocking traffic. If you’re a slight of hand artist you could easily palm a small or medium pistol near the edge with out anyone noticing. I am surprised there isn't a pistol stollen each show.

 

[MechAg94]

Are the dealers afraid the ATF will try to entrap them or catch them on some technicality? Just curious what they were really concerned about.
I guess it like everyone slowing down and getting nervous when the police car gets on the highway.

Most of the tables down hear use the wired alarms through all the trigger wells. I rarely see netting. Most of the guys with more expensive stuff use cases. I don't think I have ever been at a show when a theft took place.

 

[GregGry]

Things like this don't surprize me. Its not just at gun shows, its way worse in other places. I work in a auto parts store, and on numerous occasions I have seen some real interesting things happen. One day when I was working, 3 men came into the auto parts store I work at, and went tot he tool isle. They were checking out small tool boxes. Well after about 6 minutes of time, they started putting tools into the tool boxes. I hear one of them say "alright, lets blow this dump", or something to that effect. They just walked out the door without paying, with more then 200$ worth of tools they each stole. I had already called the cops prior to them leaving, and I wasn't going to get shot trying to stop them.

 

[orionengnr]

same in my area

I don't know if the coax cable with the alarm is required at the gun shows I attend, but it seems as if most (who don't have a lockable display case) use it. If you have not seen it, it is a coax that yopu run through the trigger guard of multiple weapons, and disconnects at about 2 foot intervals--and if you disconnect it without turning off the key first, an alarm goes off. Makes it really hard to swipe a seller's wares--alarm goes off and everyone within 20 feet looks in that direction. I've never seen anyone try to steal anything, but someone goes to pick up a gun without permission, and it becomes disconnected.....WAAAAAAAH!!!!

Whoever came up with that idea probably never worked another day. Wish it were me...

 

[Molon Labe]

The fact that there are Bad People™ out there doing Bad Things™ should not surprise us. We should only be concerned when our response is inadequate.

 

[Kentak]

Wow. I was at that gun show on Saturday, too. What time did that grab and run occur? You know, from your description, I bet I saw that group. I was getting my Glock trigger switched out by Nick V., when one of them came over and asked if he had a 32 round clip. I'm glad they got caught.

Why don't libs go after the 5 percent that do 80 percent of the crimes? Passing gun control laws makes their liberal base think they are doing something about crime. Of course, we know they are not. Gangs and thugs will always get guns. I'm preaching to the choir, I know. Also, going after the violent criminal element would focus attention on the fact that element is disproportionately represented in the minority community. That's a liberal sacred cow they don't want to touch.

K