Carrying in Gun Shows?

[erikhill]

I have not been to a gun show since receiving my CHL. I know that all firarms that are to be brought in the gun show for sale must be checked and locked by police/gun show officials. Does this also pertain to my conceiled weapon? I just want to make sure before I head to the gun show this weekend. Thanks for the input.

Erik

[BillD]

Yes. The PTB do not want loaded guns in the gun shows. Some idiot is always pulling out his gun to show someone else.

[STONES_SS]

I know at the Eastman gun shows they ask you if you have any loaded weapons on your persons. Anyloaded gun at a gun show is a no no.

[Fraser]

At the shows I've been to, civilians must unload their concealed carry weapons. A yellow plastic tie is then affixed to the firearm.

[JerryM]

I have been to some that do not ask if one is carrying. The word is CONCEALED. It is my view that anyone who draws his concealed firearm at a gunshow should lose his license.
I would post a sign to that effect and enforce it. If not complied with I would report it to the state authorities. We sometimes are our own worst enemy.

Jerry

[doc45]

The few times I've gone to a show in past few years, I clear my gun outside & out of sight, carry it to the table where they check guns, get the plastic tie & place it back in the holster. Never a problem so far.

**Edit to add that I show my them my ccw permit & during the entire time I'm in the show the pistol is unloaded, no magazine in it. The guards are always happy to snip the plastic tie when I leave. I reload a good distance from the entrance, pistol pointing down towards the grass.** Know too many times cars have been broken into & guns stolen from folks leaving them there.

[sgtdevildog]

week in Georgia and there was a sign that said if you were carrying concealed it was a violation of Georgia law because they considered the gun show to be "public gathering"

[ctrmass]

Shows in Pa always ask if you have ANY guns.
Eric

[Dingle1911]

In NC there is usually a sign that tells you are cannot carry, and there are several sections of the law that take place at a gun show that would prohibit CCW (admission is charged, public gathering, sign prohibitting it).

[ltcdwb]

As an FFL dealer that has a table at an occasional gunshow the general rule is NO LOADED FIREARMS. This includes my own concealed carry pistol. A good example as to the reason we do this comes from a show about a year ago. A CHL holder was carrying his Springfiled XD40 and wanted to try a belt bag for fit. He pulled his pistol out of the holster and dropped the magazine. The vendor that was waiting on him was asking him if he had checked his pistol at the door in compliance with the signs that were posted. Just as he began talking the pistol went off. The round crossed the table and went through the thigh of another man standing a row over. fortunately it passed through his outer thigh and avoided the femoral artery. The CHL holder did not know his pistol was not equipped with a magazine disconnect and had his finger inside the trigger guard. There were several problems here that would be a whole new topic. Bottom line is unload and have your pistol checked and tied as you come in the gun show. Then by all means have it handy to try out that new holster you have been considering. We always enjoy looking at the guns folks bring into the gun shows.

[cliffy109]

Here in VA, there is no law forbidding it, but the two companies that put on shows have very specific signs about it. They claim, and I tend to believe this, that their insurance company requires it. I know these shows pay outrageous fees for liability insurance and I have no doubt that they require them to forbid any loaded weapons. This even applies to vendors.

[nedry]

...ya can't even have rounds in the mag, or even loose ammo that'll fit the weapon. AND it's gotta be tied...

Organization policy. I don't agree with it, but I understand there are some reasons for it and abide by it anyway (especially since I'm still gathering parts to build my irons)...

[Brian Dover]

Folks, many of the show promoters are rather lackadaisical about enforcement of their "no carry" rules against the tableholders, which I find to be rather hypocritical.

Hey what can I say? One of my pastimes when out and about, even at gunshows, is to play a little game of "Spot the Pistol packer". Keeps me alert. Point is, the vendors sometimes don't play by the promoter's rules, for whatever reason. Food for thought..

[OZ 1911]

Went to my first Major gun show in the US a couple of years a go (Tulsa), its size was overwelming, did two days of walking and still didn't see it all (stalls in the lower section closed early). Wish we had them that good in OZ. getting side tracked a bit. Unfortunatly there was a serious injury on the satarday.

The show required that all firearms being sold had to be UNLOADED, INSPECTED and TIED OFF with a zip tie. All carry guns UNLOADED, INSPECTED AND HOULSTERED. The story I got at the time was a guy got in without unloading or having this Glock inspected, raced to the Glock table wanting a 'preban' high capacity Mag - was told their's none left. He drew it to show the guy behind the table 'no I don't have any left!'. On putting the .40 cal Glock (Hydra shock ammo) away discharge it though his friends legs seriosly injuring him. The anouncment the next day said 'the injured man was in a serious condition and his friend was in custody (charges pending).

I have been on a lot of ranges all over the world and have found that if you put people in unusual situations they don't always act as they should. The basics don't change SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY. I know I'm preaching to the converted but with gun accidents it's very hard to undo.

This is a great forum, I enjoy shooting, coaching and guns in general. My main priority is safety as I'm sure it is yours. Lets hope these 'errors in handling' are kept to a minimum.

All the best Grant

[dajarrel]

Here in the Mobile area there are usually three different venues that rotate the gun shows. At all of them a uniformed Police Officer sits and puts ty-raps in every gun brought in whether they are for sale or carry. There is also a sign at the door stating that your pistol permit is not valid at the gun show.
Doesn't seem to be a big deal, it's the way it's always been done and it's like the price of admission, non-negotible.

OBTW, I don't recall anyone ever being shot at one of the local gunshows.

FWIW

dj

[sundowner41]

Why do you feel the need to carry in a gun show with everyone around being a "gun person?" Even the parking lots around the "auditorium" have gun people present so you shouldn't worry about threats there. Go in and have a good time. A gun show is one place you can feel safe.

[TLE]

Most of the Texas shows now post the proper signage at the door for no carry. It didn't used to be this way but after a few BOZO's cooking off rounds in the shows they had to do something. You have to assume everyone is an idiot sometimes.

[cliffy109]

Originally Posted by sundowner41

Why do you feel the need to carry in a gun show with everyone around being a "gun person?" Even the parking lots around the "auditorium" have gun people present so you shouldn't worry about threats there. Go in and have a good time. A gun show is one place you can feel safe.

Ummm... I have several issues with that post. I'm not sure its such a great idea to air those issues because it really doesn't matter. We all have to live by the rules but here it goes anyway.

1. My safety is not your decision. This is the ultimate slippery slope argument that the anti-gunners use against us. If we're "safe" around a bunch of gun nuts, aren't we also safe in a bank with a security guard? How about a shopping mall? How about... everywhere.

2. I don't know what utopia you live in, but here in the VA suburbs of Washington DC we have this little issue of gangs. Yes, they do come inside the show and they are easy to spot. They are the ones looking at the Hi-Point pistols and shaking their heads at why they have to go through a background check. The walk between the front door and the truck is the most vulnerable position I am ever in. I have a gun and anybody observing me can see that. They can also safety assume I don't have a loaded gun on me. The other "gun people" around the show can't do anything either because they, like me, obeyed the rules about loaded guns in the show.

3. When surrounded by fellow "gun people" is not an excuse to fall into condition white.

4. Your post makes a number of assumptions about why we carry. I don't carry because I feel threatened. I don't carry because I think I'm going to need a pistol. I carry because I expect to not need a gun. If I thought I would need a gun, I'd bring a rifle or shotgun.

I am very uncomfortable being disarmed in a show. I obey the rules because I must and because I respect the promoters who put on the show. I know they have this rule due to liability insurance issues, but I don't like it.

[ctrmass]

Originally Posted by sundowner41

Why do you feel the need to carry in a gun show with everyone around being a "gun person?" Even the parking lots around the "auditorium" have gun people present so you shouldn't worry about threats there. Go in and have a good time. A gun show is one place you can feel safe.

Just because you "feel safe" dont necessarily mean you should let your guard down.
Eric

[farnorth]

All the gun shows here in Alaska that I've been to require you have your conceal carry weapon emptied and tie wrapped, like all other guns in the building. I have only been to one gun show out of state (I know, I don't get around much ). I went to a gun show in Monroe Washington, at the fairgrounds last October. At the door they asked for any cameras and any concealed carry weapons. What I thought was really neat was that outside the main entrance there was a bright red barrell with sand in the bottom so you could take your weapon out, unload and have it tie wrapped at the door. Never have seen on of those here, but I think it is a great idea. Greg
P.S. I used to see that same type of barrell outside the cop shop armory when I was in the Air Force.

[The Drew]

As far as the legality goes... It depends by state. Some states have laws that say if the "business" forbids concealed carry, then you've committed a crime. However here in PA there is no such law, and concealed is concealed. They ask. but you're under NO obligation to tell them and they don't pat you down, they just ask. I am under the impression that this is not a law here in PA, but is rather dictated by the show promoters Insurance carrier.

If they do find you with a loaded CC piece, technically they can ask you to leave. But I've never seen it happen, and I have observed several people coming through the gate who have the tie put on their weapons, and then just cut it off and reload and reholster... I don't know how many never admit that they are carrying.