Today’s Experience with Gun Show Wackadoos

[pictoblu]

We have our share of annoyances/misfits at our guns shows also.

But then there's this other show that comes to town a couple times a year that calls itself the International Military Show, or something like that.

Man, was I disgusted with that one or what...95% of it is nazi cr@p. So I just didn't go back.

 

[Liberal Gun Nut]

We have our share of annoyances/misfits at our guns shows also.

But then there's this other show that comes to town a couple times a year that calls itself the International Military Show, or something like that.

Man, was I disgusted with that one or what...95% of it is nazi cr@p. So I just didn't go back.

Good! That is making my point exactly: Keep the Nazi crap 100% out of gun shows. Let them have their own Nazi shows. I'm delighted for them! I just want to be able to go to a gun show and not see any Nazi crap when I'm there. I want to be able to take my non-shooting friends and have them come away thinking, "hey, gun owners are cool! They're not like the stereotype at all!" Alas, no, if I go, I WILL see Nazi flags and the show participants will confirm all the very worst caricatures of gun owners.

They should have their own show!

 

[spooney]

I really agree with liberal gun nut on this one. I think we can all agree racism and nazism are repugnant, I for one, do not want to lumped in with a group of people headed by a person who advocates killing someone based on that person's choice of religion be that person Osama Bin Ladin or Bob the Gunshow Nazi. I don't want a person who doesn't know anything about the 2nd to see that crap at the gunshow and think that is normal amongst gun owners.

 

[XDforever]

Well, to have restrictions on the vendors and attendees attire is one thing I'm not so sure about.

At the Mesquite gun show about three weeks ago and again at the Ft. Worth gun show last weekend, the stench of the various and sundry Deliverance individuals there was overpowering to say the least. Not to much Nazi crap at all.

XDforever

 

[Derby FALs]

Strikefire, Liberal Gun Nut, spooney and XDforever.
Just how much money did you guys spend? Boycott the gun shows if you don't like the crowd. Don't expect them to change for you.

 

[gunsmith]

Gun shows are very important

they are the only place other then gunstores and the innernet where gunnies can get together and exchange ideas and to dispel myth's like Kerry the great white hunter and Al oGre are pro 2nd Amendment, to point out that Johnny mccclib (mccain) wants to end gunshows by ending private party sales.
Not because criminals and 49 year old teens in nazi garb are buying/selling guns.
The RINO'S, demicans and republicrats want to end gun shows because us gunnies can talk to GOA & NRA & CCKRBA and meet Alan Gotlieb or even Randy Weaver from Ruby Ridge .
Gunshows represent freedom and the bureacrats hate them, lets strive to make them beacons of freedom and liberty.

 

[Liberal Gun Nut]

Just how much money did you guys spend? Boycott the gun shows if you don't like the crowd. Don't expect them to change for you.

That's exactly what I do. I don't go to them. They lost me, as a customer. They have a choice: provide vendor space for Nazis, or have people like me as customers. Either / or. They are free to pick Nazis instead of people like me. That's fine. That's their right. It's a free country. My only point is, that is STUPID of them to do. How much money are they making from these Nazis? How much money are they losing by driving people like me away? How much long-term harm are they doing to themselves by sticking to this image?

One thing is, they have the right to be STUPID. I'm happy for them.

 

[spooney]

Strikefire, Liberal Gun Nut, spooney and XDforever.
Just how much money did you guys spend? Boycott the gun shows if you don't like the crowd. Don't expect them to change for you.

Last one I went to I spent $150 but there wasn't any Nazi stuff at that one. The last one I went to that had Nazi stuff I left when I came to that area.

 

[roo_ster]

A buddy came to visit me while I lived in Atlanta. I suggested we get a bite to eat.

We get to the restaurant & most patrons are unkempt guys in 20-30 age range who...smell...and resemble the bar patrons in Star Wars more than a little.

Turns out that the hotel next door was hosting this thing called "Dragon Con," a role-playing game convention. I guess that it is some folks' deal not to bathe while at the convention. SO, I suppose the role they are trying to play is that of a socially awkward young male with poor personal hygiene.

After that, I never really worried about the odd characers who sometimes show up at gun shows.

I don't think it matters much what gun show owners/runners do with regard to removing those who offend liberal sensibilities. The antis will write what they want, regardless of reality. Capitulation to the forces of pablum would likely lose them more patrons than they would win due to their new, "enlightened" policy.

 

[LeonCarr]

What happens a lot of times is the gun show promoters will say in their literature that the exhibitors must have 90% firearms, knives, or related merchandise/accessories (Some require this, some don't). Once it gets closer to the show date, and they have only 750 of the 1000 tables booked, they start letting in the nazi stuff, the beanie babies, and the knock-off jewelry dealers to fill up the extra tables.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[mnrivrat]

We have our share of annoyances/misfits at our guns shows also.

It occurs to me that what we have here on THR is not all that much different depending on your perception. And that is it - isn't it ? A persons perception and the ability to tolerate those that aren't you .

 

[wingman]

A persons perception and the ability to tolerate those that aren't you .

My personal perception is we are more "rough edge" society then years
past so it is as the last poster stated "ability to tolerate" so when I
find I cannot I don't attend.

 

[mp510]

I believe limiting too heavily what people can sell is a real turn-off.
Additionally, telling people that they are a wacky commando without cause is ignorant and insulting. I often will wear a camo M-65 jacket in the fall to early winter- cheap and works good. I have even worn it to a few gunshows- I guess I must be some sort of wack job, correct? (I was wearing it with jeans).

But the crazies were out in force as well. The tables set up to sell “WWII memorabilia” comprised of mostly Nazi trinkets. An older gentleman selling a TRUCKLOAD of Nazi, Japanese, and various commie and surplus US army stuff for $15,000! Something tells me he spent $60 on the table just to show off a bit.

Amazingly, many of these items are legitimate collectables, and are not as common as they used to be. There are many perfectly sane folks who are into those items. Do I propogate some sort of negative anti-American, pro slavery and pro-racist tensions by collecting Confederate numistmatic items?

Really, you should learn to be a little bit more accepting. Not for you, but maybe one of your comrades will be interested. I'm not sure about your area, but if the shows up here got any smaller, they would be a ghost towns. And, I have yet to see the real crazies either.

 

[Hazwaste]

It would be very smart for gun show operators (which are private businesses) to take action on these things. Some obviously good ideas would be banning Nazi or WWII Wehrmacht crap from the shows.

This would be smart if the primary goal of the gun show operators is to present a positive image of gun owners to the press.

But they aren't in business to advance the cause, they're in it to make money.

As long as the gun show operators perceive that they'll make more money from the nutjobs than they would appeasing those that won't participate in their shows because of the nutjobs, they'll appeal to the nutjobs.

 

[GEM]

I'll say one thing - I went to the show in question and you certainly wouldn't go there to see good looking people. We are an ugly bunch!

Looked like a combo of the Star Wars Bar and the Deliverance Reunion. Enough bellies to light the oil lamps of the world.

BTW, I'm not so hot.

But the prices on the standard guns are the best in town. Ammo - better in the big box stores for standard rounds.

 

[Frog48]

I wish gun shows were strictly that, GUN shows. I go there to browse guns, parts, and ammo. I get annoyed seeing all the jerky, knives, camping/survivalist stuff, etc. Its just annoying, having to sift through all the crap in order to find the stuff I'm interested in.

In my opinion, if something isnt gun related, it doesnt belong at a gun show. I just dont understand how beef jerky or tents are gun related.

 

[Derby FALs]

I wish gun shows were strictly that, GUN shows. I go there to browse guns, parts, and ammo. I get annoyed seeing all the jerky, knives, camping/survivalist stuff, etc. Its just annoying, having to sift through all the crap in order to find the stuff I'm interested in.

In my opinion, if something isnt gun related, it doesnt belong at a gun show. I just dont understand how beef jerky or tents are gun related.

Maybe you should try some of that jerky. Let's see now. Hmmm... Where did this idea of jerky come from? Hunters, trappers, explorers? Why, it's as American as Apple Pie!

Maybe you should promote your own shows and just let in vendors that have items in which you are interested.

 

[KINGMAX]

GUN SHOWS - ain't they GREAT !!

GUN SHOWS - one statement = 'It takes all types to make the world go round'


I really enjoy going to gun shows for the most part. The smell of old milsurp stuff, old cosmoline, musty old military uniforms, "GOD I love that smell."

Now I usually only purchase ammo during the shows. Mostly the 7.62 X 39 and 7.62 X 54R in bulk. 1000 rounds of the x39, and 440 - 880 of the 54R stuff. I have four Mosins-Nagants, three AK's and one SKS to feed. These days ammo is a bit tuff to find. My first 1000 AK rounds cost $68.00, then next show it was at $74.00, it has been going up every since.

I bought my first Mosin-Nagant for $64.00, a M-38 in 7.62 x 54R. It is a real thumper. If you are into the recoil thing, you will enjoy shooting this one. It took about the first 50 rounds to getting over that flinch when you pull off a round. Now it is one of my best shooters.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

The best thing for bad ideas is free exposure.

Draw a line at Turner Diaries, someone will move
that line past Unintended consequeneces. The next
move would take 1984 and Fahrenheit 451 beyond
the pale.

I have seen a guy who looked like he would have
been at home at Hayden Lake talking civilly with a
black vendor: I like to think that a gun show is one
place where we can park our prejudices at the door
and deal in a free market.

 

[thewheelsonthebus]

great american holiday!

I am pleased that I have had the time to read such a thread. I think of business as to make a profit. And usually the best way is to offer something for everyone. If you take that ability away then the business goes away. I would rather be the wal-mart of the show world than the Krispy Kream that has gone out of business in the Houston area for not wishing to sell a damn sandwich.

Sissy! Please don't offend me with all of your business knowledge by trying to eliminate everyone’s personal freedom. There is also the freedom to shut the hell up and go away. This seems to be the rant of late. I say shut the hell up and stay away if you are so sensitive that it hurts your feelings and senses. Some may find your choice to wear OLD SPICE nasty. And so what, has that stopped them from selling it to you. I love my scotch, Irish, African, Italian, Jewish, American Indian past. It seems as thou you have race issues and have forgotten what a true American is. And that's what it is, PAST because I am now a mutt. I am an American free and over 21.

 

[NevJohn]

Deanimator.... as a HAM for 53 years, I know where you are coming from about the HT's, but what is worse??? Shopping with the wife; get seperated; call each other on cellphone; they are standing right behind you!!

I attended a gunshow yesterday here in Las Vegas with the wife (her first time ever), and I did see afew Nazi items and other military garb on the tables. (even purple camo gear!) I dunno... is that any worse than the 3 to 4 tables of Minutemen (different factions) also lined up? I agree in mostpart of what the Minutemen and groups like that are trying to educate the public and low and behold, the government that we need to fix our borders. To me, they along with the jerky, jewlery, and political tables shouldnt be allowed, but they are. Maybe it is because they'll pay the $80 per table, so the show director can make more money?? Yesterday, I think there was more "non-gun" tables than "gun related tables" at the show. Sorta waste of $10 each entry fee. Yes, price to attendance is high here, plus the $3 parking fee.

Course, my wife drags me to the Crafts fairs, and they arent any better, except I've never seen any Nazi or Minutemen there!!

John

 

[SMMAssociates]

NevJohn & Deanimator:

(48 years as a ham....)

The thing to remember about the "2 guys talking to each other who could see each other" is that the conversation may not have started that way, or could be a multi-way situation. Unlike cellphones, Ham HT's are sort of a "party line", and there may have been a third (or fourth, etc.) party involved. The two you could see could have been scouting for somebody else and just happened to end up close.

I don't think I've ever called my wife in the grocery store that way, but I have had more than one relative/friend make a "where the heck are you call" as I was pulling into the parking lot or driveway.... (My wife specializes in calling me when I'm playing dodge the Dodge on a hairy part of our local freeway system....)

Some weeks ago I was at PIT picking up my sister, and watched her pick up her cellphone and call me, from about 100' away. I just happened to see her first....

Or, there was the time, last July or August (2005), when I was meeting a friend for supper at the Cleveland Airport Mariott. He was running late, so I pulled my phone off my belt and started dialing. Before I could get the last digit punched, he walked by. He didn't notice me sitting there (deep in conversation with a couple other guys 'cause I'm kinda hard to miss) and I ended up popping out of the chair and hollering. Odds are that I could have completed the call if I'd thought about it.

Cellphones are getting to be everywhere.... I was at PIT again last week, and realized that at one time I was the only one in there with a phone. I think that if I'd left mine in the car, I'd have been about the only one in there without one.... I picked up my sister and a niece. We had three working phones in the car on the way back, plus an old StarTAC that I keep for "911" use....

I also had a dual-band HT, and a hi-band radio in the car.... And a 1911.... Doesn't everybody?

Regards,

 

[dragongoddess]

Being one of the few liberals here. My guess. When I go to a gun show I just don't stop at those tables with the so called repulsive stuff. I don't buy from them. Thats the only way I know how to deal with this subject. I support those who bring a quality product to the show by visiting their tables and purchasing items if they have what I'm looking for.

 

[Deanimator]

Being one of the few liberals here. My guess. When I go to a gun show I just don't stop at those tables with the so called repulsive stuff.

I'm another liberal here.

I draw a fundamental distinction between people who collect militaria and people who sell "The Turner Diaries". I know Jews who collect German firearms and militaria. German uniform cuff titles and rank insignia are items of historical significance. NSDAP era uniform items are fascinating merely for their seemingly endless variety. Neo-Nazi "literature" is merely the expression of stupidity and family trees that look like telephone poles.

 

['Card]

If you guys think Guns Shows are a showcase of the dregs of humanity, you should try attending a Renaissance Faire - or even better, an SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) event. Hang out in one of those places for awhile, and you'll think the Nazi's and Mall Ninjutsu look pretty normal by comparison.

Personally, I've lost interest in gun shows because most of them in my area seem to be dominated by mil-surp guns. You can occasionally find a decent deal on a used pistol, but that's about it unless you're into Mosins or Garands or AK's or AR's - and I'm not.

At the last show I attended I ran into a guy who owns a gun shop in the area. He stocks all sorts of things in his store, but his table at the show was entirely mil-surps. I asked him about that, and he said that hunters and sport shooters will come into his store to buy things when they were shopping, but that most of the people who would buy a mil-surp at a gun show wouldn't ever come into his normal store. So he stocked mil-surps at the gun show because that's what sells at the gun show, apparently.

Just one more example of the market moving in a direction I ain't interested in going, I guess.