Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting Going to a gun show.....

[Wayne M.]

I've never been before. Going to my first gun show Sunday Morn. I'm looking for advice and do's and dont's in that setting. I thinking about leaving fingerprints on everything, should I be concerned? should I carry an oily cloth, or would I look like I'm nuts????



Thanks!!

 

[HHhuntitall]

You're not nuts, just paranoid. I would be too. Latex gloves would be easier and perhaps less obvious in the long run. Really, though, I'd not worry about it. Security cameras already have you entering and exiting the premises. Most likely, if your prints are on a firearm, it's NOT going to be used in a crime. Criminals obtain 98% of the firearms they use from burglaries of residences. Most firearms found in gunshows are legal firearms, owned by legal citizens of the the USA, and they're legal to trade for personal reasons. Over the years, I've only had one firearm that ever ended up beign stolen, and it came from a pawn shop, so I ended up getting compensated by their insurance. I had a friend at the County Sherriff's office run the numbers. The most important thing to remember about a gun show is to have fun visiting with like minded people. Not all of them, but most will be much like you. And don't pay too much for a firearm!!

 

[BIGNASTY]

Wayne

Dont know but can you even have a gun in NY I have been told its an altogether different game in NY vs MT at least in NY city

 

[GHarman]

WayneM,
Yer not crazy at all!
I got broke in on gunshows in your neighborhood, way back in 1970.
I was discharged from active duty, at the Phila, Naval Base. I worked locally for a few Months to get enough grub stake set aside to come to Colorado(and buy old guns!).
Met a gent that loved old guns and he sold me a fine old 1858 Remington revolver.
He talked me into going to the big gun show at Melville, Long Island.
After a trip up the Jersey turnpike and through NYC(I got so sick from the dirty air!)
We got to the gunshow. I traded for an original Hartford 1874 Sharps and a German Sheutzen rifle. WOW!
I was a nicky newguy and them dealers saw me coming a mile away!
The Antiques that were available then, for pennies on the dollar compared to todays cost, would blow your socks off!
Have a GREAT Experience. Just dont let them know how excited you are!
GregH

 

[GCroyle]

Sorta related question, at a show, with a dealer (private sale or C&R types I think) that doesn't need paperwork, how do you know that the piece you are eyeing ain't hot or dirty somehow?

 

[GHarman]

Gary,

If you are dealing with a legitimate dealer, collector there is very little chance that it will be a hot item.

Frankly, in all the years I've been going to gun shows, I've never even considered that as a possibility.

Now a days, with instant check, there is a far more slim to non existant chance that a dealer would be willing to deal in questionable items in a public forum.

If you have a concern, and you do buy something, you can take the serial number and make/model down to your local PD and have them run a NCIC check. In doing that, you have changed your private deal into a 4473 Form red flag, if the firearm was clean, the local police also have a record of it. If it was stolen, the burden of proof then falls on you! Where did you get it, who, what, when , where kind of scenerio. It opens a real can of worms. So my advice to you is, if you dont trust the dealer or the firearm source. Dont buy it.

GregH

 

[GCroyle]

Greg,

At shows I think it is an assumption right or wrong that the "dealer" got smell tested by the promoter and has a track record. But as J. Doe purchasing from a private sale C&R type w/o paperwork kinda hard to know. And consider the scenario of a private sale that AM to a "dealer" and a sale that afternoon from dealer to J. Doe.

Just a discussion inquiry, no dog in this fight other than learning.

Thanks Greg.

 

[GHarman]

Gary,
Not interested in an arguement, either. Just my humble opinion.
We are ALL innocent until proven guilty! Knowing your surroundings and who you are dealing with is always, paramount!
GregH

 

[GCroyle]

Greg,

Your experience and information always welcome and respected.

Now, I just need an idea for the next gotta have it for the safe. But really just need some time to snap some caps, been a while.

Gary

 

[Wayne M.]

Thanks guys- but I just got back. I had a good time. Got to see stuff for real that I've only seen pictures of. I didn't buy anything except for a neat surplus ditty bag. My fingerprint concern was 20% legal and 80% etiquette. I didn't want to ruffle feathers by slobbering my acidic prints on everything.
Big- ny state isn't too bad legal speak. Ny city is lots of permits and paperwork and $$. I've been a rifle/ shotgun paper holder for 10 years, but never did anything. A bud of mine is getting the bug to exercise his 2nd amend right and is Persuing his paper. This trip was only a fact finding mission. NYC is extremely antigun as you all can imagine. Pistol is altogether another story!

 

[Wayne M.]

Greg. A bud on the job was a civilian rigging contractor at Philly yard. Later than '70 tho.

 

[GHarman]

I spent my Last 4 Months on active duty as a Security/Sentry at the PNB. Mustered out 27 March, 1970. I even had a head on with the Admiral of the 4th Naval District:-laf, Before I left!

Not spitefully, mind ya. Just doing my Job. He wanted me to take a shortcut for him. No Way!

He made the rules and he was going to follow them!

That was 42 years ago! Man, Time flies when yer havin' fun!

GregH

 

[BIGNASTY]

It ALWAYS gave me great pleasure in BREAKING IT OFF in the KEISTER of some A** HOLE that made a stupid rule for ALL TO FOLLOW.

 

[HHhuntitall]

As for etiquette, I think it's adequate to ask before handling a firearm. I always ask first, or if they're busy, I only roll it over and look at it on the table. Having had my own tables for years, I know what it's like for someone to pick one up, slam the action, and then dry fire it..... It's hard for a sasquatch to keep his mouth shut.....



As for a Curio and Relics dealer, those serial numbers won't be in the system unless they are reported stolen. If they are fresh imports, such as the latest 1895 Mausers, it's doubtful any are stolen. I'm not sure about up there, but here, if you enter the serial number in the PD database, it only kicks it back if it is actually stolen. Unless the officer writes it down, there is no record of it being ran through NCIC. It dumps that information every 7-24 hours, depending on the system load. Even if it's reported stolen after running the number in an hour, they system won't catch it. It just works on current input data. If it is stolen, and you are willing to turn it over, typically, no charges can be pressed, as you just bought it, or are interested in buying. Laws may be different in NY state, but here, most officers give you the third degree. If you are honest, they can't really do anything about it except take the firearm into custody. I've had that happen a few times with the local County Sherriff. They are always glad to get the firearm back to the owner, as it speaks well of their reputation. I also have a reputation for doing a lot of trading, and knowing who is trying to sell what in the area. If a certain collection has been stolen, I usually see some of them, and know who has most of them..... As of right now, there are few petty thieves in the area... . Seems some got shot a few months back by an old man in his trailer with his shotgun, and there really haven't been any break-ins since..... I love Texas! Diesel theft is pretty rough, you can't leave a tractor parked off the side of the road anywhere for more than a day or the tanks will be drained!! They hit my neighbor two weeks ago for over 200 gallons... . Not sure where they put it, but that's a lot of diesel!! Even at $. 44 cheaper a gallon, it's still over $3. 50 here.....

 

[Wayne M.]

Thanks HH. Good info.