Let's talk about gun shows

[Joe Link]

I've entertained the idea of Northwest Firearms hosted gun shows for almost as long as the site has existed. With our Volunteer Program taking off I'm evaluating other sources of income, to support it and our other endeavors. I'd like to get some input from the community to see if looking into it further is worthwhile. An important note, if we can't do it better than what's out there now, we won't be doing it.

I'll ask a couple of questions, but feel free to add whatever input you have

1. Do you think gun shows still have their place, or do you consider them a thing of the past?
2. What do you like best about gun shows you've attended in the past two years?
3. What do you like least about gun shows you've attended in the past two years?
4. What could be done to improve gun shows, and/or set ourselves apart from others?

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[Just Jim]

It's too bad the shows can't change. I have gone to them most of my life and they started down hill with government intrusions. When it takes an hour to do an "instant check" it basically ruined the shows.

What would be better is to form a club with no new gun vendors allowed and only club members could buy or sell. Might be able to get away from it being a "gunshow" and call it a club meeting event or something. Only members allowed, you could join same day if you have a ccw, otherwise you can't buy or sell at the club meeting. Lifetime club memberships and a family type organization.

Just a thought.

 

[Joe Link]

Interesting idea Jim, thanks for the post

What I'm most concerned with is the possibility of Oregon passing universal background checks, in which case I'm pretty sure it wouldn't work.

I wonder if the shows will get more popular in WA with I-594...

 

[eldbillbo]

Thanks to the passage of measure 5 in oregon the gun show loop hole Gun shows are not one quarter as exciting as they used to be. Back then there were private sellers who could give even the giant Keith a run for his money. Bartering haggling. Like here guys trading up or trading down getting rid of stuff that had got boring for something new and exciting it was alive.

I remember a private seller with racks full of guns and guys swarming around it he had a Marlin 30/30 nice one like new for $200 I asked if he would take $150 he took out a old silver dollar and said you call it if you win you get it for $150 if i do you pay $200 i called heads and got it for $150 for a gun guy it was a like disney land to a kid

Guys selling their passed away fathers collection rather than being at the mercy of what a gun store would offer. so prices were right there in between super deals could be found no beany babies or airsoft

tables were packed the place was packed So much to look at needed a whole weekend to absorb it all. I feel so sorry for the younger guys new to gun shows that they missed some great times

Now a days Meh basically its a Keith show with a few other venders and beef jerky and airsoft thrown it. I used to go to just about every one for the euphoric rush of all the action now maybe once every 16 months.

Now what your proposing sounds a little different it sounds more personal like a get together swop meet and opportunity to meet some of the supporting venders and hang out with board buddies so might bring back some of the fun in gun shows plus it may be better than meeting someone in a parking lot to swop ar15 uppers

 

[Slobray]

It's too bad the shows can't change. I have gone to them most of my life and they started down hill with government intrusions. When it takes an hour to do an "instant check" it basically ruined the shows.

What would be better is to form a club with no new gun vendors allowed and only club members could buy or sell. Might be able to get away from it being a "gunshow" and call it a club meeting event or something. Only members allowed, you could join same day if you have a ccw, otherwise you can't buy or sell at the club meeting. Lifetime club memberships and a family type organization.

Just a thought.

You mean like the Washington Arms Collectors? They can only buy and sell to members at their gun shows.


https://washingtonarmscollectors.org/


Ray

 

[Just Jim]

You mean like the Washington Arms Collectors? They can only buy and sell to member at their gun shows.


https://washingtonarmscollectors.org/


Ray

Similar but no new guns allowed. No FFL allowed.

 

[Just Jim]

Build it into an organization that fights for our rights yet keeps the organization local.

 

[308]

I'll ask a couple of questions, but feel free to add whatever input you have

1. Do you think gun shows still have their place, or do you consider them a thing of the past?
I believe they are a source of entertainment and a way of interacting with like-minded individuals. My buddy and I used to meet up at the shows and it gave us a chance to reconnect and look for cool things.

2. What do you like best about gun shows you've attended in the past two years?
Because of the gouging and overall d-bagging from many of the vendors who won't budge a dollar on that old 20rnd AR mag they pack to every show, I quit going. Perhaps it has to do with other life issues as well and that I have most of what I need now anyway. I just don't like inflexible vendors...it's not like I ever tried to lowball or rip them off, it just seems like they don't get it.

3. What do you like least about gun shows you've attended in the past two years?
See #2 above

4. What could be done to improve gun shows, and/or set ourselves apart from others?
See #2 above

 

[Capn Jack]

My last experience with a gun show was to drive 80 miles, pay for admission, to watch a "Club" run function of members trading war stories, over tables of over priced stuff they didn't want to sell anyway.

In the process I was told that, even though I possessed a CCP I couldn't buy a firearm, as I was not a club member. Need less to say, I don't do gun shows anymore.
If I need a part, I'll buy it On-Line. It's less expensive and I get a warranty.

 

[Just Jim]

Tie in NWFA to the buying and selling so there is no need for setting up tables.

 

[308]

Another thought came to mind along the lines of going to certain trade shows and national conferences is this:

1) We always have vendors with their new products
2) There are always seminars scheduled throughout the days that the event is in progress. With that in mind, a gunshow that has published ahead of time that there will be (1) hour gun safety classes, (1) hour use of force classes, etc would be really cool.

 

[eldbillbo]

Another thought came to mind along the lines of going to certain trade shows and national conferences is this:

1) We always have vendors with their new products
2) There are always seminars scheduled throughout the days that the event is in progress. With that in mind, a gunshow that has published ahead of time that there will be (1) hour gun safety classes, (1) hour use of force classes, etc would be really cool.

That would be a great idea hands on share of information .

 

[bolus]

as I've mentioned elsewhere, I'd pay quite a bit more for entry if there was an actual "show." Most like a convention perhaps. Where there are experts talking on such subjects as laws around firearms, preparedness, wilderness medicine, gun manufacturers showing new firearms, historical weapons.

You could have "how to" classes. Like how to build an AR. How to load your own ammo. what should go in a bug out bag and why, how to make a shiv from a human femur.

"Show and tell" presentations are great too. What do we all like just as much as buying guns? showing them off.

There are no prepper shows in oregon as far as I can tell. Mix that information in as well.

 

[AMT]

1. Do you think gun shows still have their place, or do you consider them a thing of the past?
I believe that the gun shows are not dead. They seem to be overrun with people that want MSRP (or above) for their products - even the used products seem to be MSRP or higher! Or, they want to top the highest listed price (not sold price, the listed price) on GunBroker. There are a few people that show up with goods that almost seem to have been "picked through" prior to the doors even opening to the public. (hmmm, how could that happen....???)

2. What do you like best about gun shows you've attended in the past two years?
On occasion someone "new" will be there with decent prices. Got to hit those folks early as they don't seem to be around on Sunday. (Maybe because their prices were reasonable and have sold everything???)

3. What do you like least about gun shows you've attended in the past two years?
The gun show regulars, with the same overpriced stuff. I don't even mind the folks that try and sell blow-guns, trinket's, etc. It is the bathroom remodel people.... the beanie babies people.... etc. To me, anything at the show that could be used in the woods, hiking, camping, shooting, etc. is alright. Yes, even the beef jerky sellers are ok to me. That is something that could be taken into the woods with you.

4. What could be done to improve gun shows, and/or set ourselves apart from others?
Less commercialism, more reasonable table/prices. Any John/Jane Doe wanting reasonable prices for the product. Regardless of what it is - so long as it is shooting/hunting/fishing/outdoor/personal protection related.


Even the classified ads on here..... there has to be a starting/asking price. When logically, and politely, pointed out that the price is high, a reasonable price can usually be agreed upon. Not so much at the shows.

How can you (NWFA) make a better one? As suggested before, maybe a "members only" (similar to WAC)? Unfortunately, I don't think you will be able to pick and choose who will be allowed to set up a table. Discrimination lawsuits and all.....

The Clark County Farigrounds show doesn't seem to be retailer overrun. BUT, the same ole' beat up stuff still shows up on a lot of the tables for outrageous prices.

I would highly support a more locally run show!!! Offer fair prices, discuss it if it is overpriced, and I will gladly hand over Benjamin's for something I want/like.

I'm gonna follow this thread!


Just my 0.02. The podium has been vacated and is now free for someone else.

 

[albin25]

Gun shows have become a parody of themselves and have about run their course. Jacked up prices and too many of the same jerks selling the same crap from show to show to show. Camo'd Seal wannabe's wandering around like they're sent from central casting to look like what most anti-gunners and media people believe all us "goofy-gun-nuts" actually look and act like.

I would gladly attend an actual gunSHOW. One where nothing is for sale but the vendors are there to show what's new and a place you could inspect hundreds of different makers and models. Maybe a custom gun competition...Best of caliber and type, Best over-all. Then throw in a few speakers maybe covering hunting regs or ballistics or holster types (keep intense politics out of it)
...and then maybe the curious and/or on-the-fence types that "check it out" may actually come away with a positive view of us.

Never been there, but I'll bet Shot Show in Vegas doesn't have wobbly tables of tired, easily irritated geezers selling shot-out, bent barreled, 30-06's to Mall-Commandos...

The old gunshow format has about had it...call them Gun Swap Meets or Gun Flea Markets.....they are NOT shows....and I don't feel they are in any way doing anything but harming the non-shooting public's perception of us or the rights we are trying to keep.

 

[RVTECH]

1. Do you think gun shows still have their place, or do you consider them a thing of the past?
With the current interest in guns being predominately modern, hi cap semi's shows are a moot point. If interest ever returns to traditional, historical & collectable shows might have a renaissance .

2. What do you like best about gun shows you've attended in the past two years?
The few vendors with traditional and collectable guns & accessories that still go to the shows are usually crowd free and easy to approach.

3. What do you like least about gun shows you've attended in the past two years?
Unfriendly vendors, Too much commercialism & redundancy and the lack of a 'swap meet/garage sale' atmosphere.

4. What could be done to improve gun shows, and/or set ourselves apart from others?
Promote it as a 'dealer free' gun show with only private individuals (like you and me) to display their goods.

 

[AMT]

4. What could be done to improve gun shows, and/or set ourselves apart from others?

Saturday Market style with a Grub and Gab Area, entertainment...maybe Threat Dynamics has a portable training system or ???... Airsoft targets set up for kids (safety equipment provided) rambling...

I have never attended a GunShow but I would think that if you want to promote 2A to the masses you would try to attract families and provide product, information, food and a full day of entertainment. Catering to a select few will not further the cause.

MT

edit to add: Voters Registration Booth

Saturday market style! That would be awesome!!! BBQ'ers, smokers, picnic tables, beverage (pop, water, juice, etc - no alcohol), people carrying/walking/sitting around talking/selling/trading items.

Awww yeah!!!!

 

[jbett98]

Northwest Firearms is my gun show.
Everyday I log on and peruse the for sale ads, all from the comfort of my office chair.

My neighbor down the street just retired from managing the Expo Center and any time I asked, he would give me free tickets to enter any gun show that was in town.
Another bonus was that his wife runs the parking, so free entry also.
Saved me a bunch of money, but at the end on the day, I was always disappointed with the sellers and their overpriced merchandise so I quit going.

It's a nice thought Joe, but being were such a litigious society anymore, I would be hesitant to host an event such as a gun show. All it would take is one maroon to put this site on national tv.
I liked the beer hall events though.

 

[etrain16]

Gun shows, I just don't do them. Never have. I'm turned off by excessively crowded places where I have to pay for parking, pay to get in, wait in line, and hope that maybe, just maybe, someone will have something there that is what I want and in a price I'm looking for. I'm with Jbett in that NWFA is my gun show - it's easy to browse, organized by category.

To get my interest, any 'show' would have to be something truly different than the typical gun shows. I just don't know what kind of 'different' would get my attention.

 

[Joe Link]

I'm really liking where people are going with the ideas of an actual 'show' or 'convention', rather than just a place for vendors to sell their wares (though there could be space for that as well). This idea seems more along the lines of the Sportsman's Show than a typical gun show.