Reply #40: I go every few months - a no "attitude" answer

[DonP]

The laws and rules for selling guns are the same, at least for gun shows in Illinois and a lot of other states, as they are if you walk into any gun store.

The majority of displays are from FFL dealers selling the same guns and ammo and accessories they sell in their store with a few price reductions to keep folks interested. But at a show they can display more of their stock on tables than they can in the store. In other words you may have a S&W revolver in three different barrel lengths rather than one they have in their store case.

You might find an individual selling off part of a collection or a guy walking around with a sign on his back saying a "Browning BPS 20 gauge with 3 chokes for $300 ask me about it". They are pretty much the exception rather than a common sight. I bought an Enfield No. 4 Mk II rifle from an individual at a nearby show a few years back. It was in great condition and had all the original accessories with it.

You can find FFL dealers that make show circuit. I found a Lever action in .45 Colt, stainless with a 16 inch barrel that I had been looking for for two years at one. The dealer just sold at shows and had a small shop in downstate Illinois. All the normal waiting periods and rules that apply to an FFL in a store apply at the gun show. If a guy offers to sell you something to you "in the parking lot", he's probably an BATFE agent making a sting.

There are also a lot of places that clean out their old holsters, grips and accessories bin. One table I saw had nothing but USGI military surplus uniforms, canteens etc.

Most of the shows around here haven't allowed Nazi or any other offensive regalia for a decade at least.

It can be a good place to pick up reloaded ammo or components and tools if you're interested in that. Dies, scales etc are sold pretty cheaply and you can find good deals on powder in 5 pound jugs if you take the time to look for them.

There are also a lot of Airsoft tables and people selling the same Sham Wow type of crapola you'll find and at trade show or flea market. It seems any size crowd brings those people out of the woodwork. These are the people that Brady refers to in press releases as "unlicensed dealers" well, yeah because they are selling stuff that has nothing to do with guns.

You will not find "machine gun kits" to "convert any gun to full auto", you won't find grenades, RPG's or pretty much anything related to full auto unless you're going to Knob Creek.

You can also count on the NRA and your state rifle association having a table and usually a state cop or two near the door.

Once you've seen a few of them you get pickier about what you want to buy and how much you want to pay for it. They can be fun and are always interesting people watching.

Most of the folks that talk about them have never really gone to one and go by what they heard from someone, that has also never gone, say about them.