Have Gun Shows always sucked?

[Conservator]

Have gun shows always sucked? or have they lost the battle against high volume online stores? I've only recently gone to two guns shows and in my limited experience I've been quite disappointed. I should add that I was pistol shopping, so if you're in the market for ammo, parts, or even rifles - that may be a different story. Paid $16 to get in w/ my wife. Every table seemed to a have the same selection (Glocks, S&W sigmas, & Springfields). And the prices were outrageous compared to what you can get now online. And if you're in the market for a deal on a used gun, local pawn shops seem the way to go... Is this a new trend or has it always been this way??

[cadillacdude1975]

dont ask dont tell is the policy at the gun shows. no waiting period. no background check.

[osrb]

dont ask dont tell is the policy at the gun shows. no waiting period. no background check.

Only with private sales. Not the dealers.

[dvc]

I have gone to gun shows since the mid 80s.Back then there were lots of bargains to be found and you were lucky if there was one show a month in the surrounding area.The show at the Alhambra Temple was a sight to behold and look forward to.There were good shows at the Trade Center as well.Over time promoters started having shows every weekend in places like Atl,Nashville,Birmingham,etc and the dealers started spreading out and the quality of the shows dropped.Then came Bill Clinton and the AWB and gun shows became fun again,more people,dealers etc.The recent gun craze has left me behind as I am "out of the game" so to speak.I don't shoot,reload or buy/sell trade guns anymore due to the economy kicking me in the nuts and kneeing my face. On line prices remember you still have to get the gun transferred to a local dealer and he will charge a fee in addition to sales tax.And last but not least yes pawn shops have always been a good source for used guns.

[cadillacdude1975]

yeah the private sales is the loophole they are trying to close isnt it?

[goomba]

yes, the private face to face sale is the "loophole" they are trying to close. nevermind that they would also like to resrict you to one "non-dealer" sale a year, and eventually if I want to sell my daddys shotgun to my neighbor we will have to go to a dealer and pay to have the paperwork, pay his fees etc etc....

as for the gun shows. they can be hit or miss. it entirely depends on what you are looking for. and how much your willing to pay.

[JC]

Deals can be found at shows if you're patient.
I think the best deals come from parts,and accessories though

As far as ordering online,yeah its cheaper.
Skips over in Ooltewah only charges 20 bucks to do a transfer,and there is no tax paid on the item.(ok,so you're suppose to report internet orders,which I ALWAYS do since I always have black helicopters following my every move and all )

[Deleted]

> Skips over in Ooltewah only charges 20 bucks to do a transfer

Wow. That's a WHOLE lot better than other places I've seen (or dealt with) in town.

[Conservator]

Whoa! So if I order a gun online, which I just did, I don't pay taxes to the online store, but you're saying I'm supposed to pay the taxes on my own or to the store doing the transfer?? This is the first I've heard of this!
Oh, and Grants in Dalton is doing a transfer for $20 too.

Yoda, nice lizard earing pic! I grew up in S.FL and knew a kid that would do that.

[JC]

No tax paid online if its out of state. That would be taxation without representation.
There is also no tax paid at the store since you're not buying the item from them,they're just handling the shipping for you in a way.

But you're suppose to pay all your taxes for anything you buy online,but for that you'll need a form from the tax man