Gun handling at gunshow advise wanted

[ATAShooter]

I am going to a gun show tomorrow in Richmond va,... I have a Oliver Winchester Commemorative New, in the box with the tags and strings still on it. It has only ever been handled with gloves,... I hate to be so anal, but the police are going to strap it at the door and folks are gonna want to look at it, what should I do, take gloves with me and say here ya go? Thats gonna torque the cops at the door... What do I do?

 

[22-rimfire]

They will strap it at the door. From that point on you can control the handling. Go in with the action open when you pass through the "strapping area". Take a cloth with you to wipe finger prints and such off the gun as needed. The cops won't hurt the gun. Most have been down the road before.

Put a sign on your back to limit the "what ya got there?" and "can I see it?" You can even post a price if you feel firmly about price. This is usually a bad idea though. Later on in the show, you can plant yourself near the concession area if there are tables and chairs and let people come to you.

Dealers won't pay you market prices. Be prepared. They will pay you an amount which will allow them to sell it and make a profit. How much profit is subject to negotiation? Good Luck and enjoy the show.

 

[jsalcedo]

I tape a sign to myself with the specifics and a reasonable price for the gun.

I'll attach a good sling to the rifle because carrying it around in a box gets tiring and having hands free is a must.

I'll get about 20 bites over the course of an hour (nobody ever cares to handle the gun).

Usually I will get 85% of my asking price. If I don't care to leave with the gun.

 

[Standing Wolf]

When I carry an engraved or obviously very expensive gun, the person at the entrance usually offers me the opportunity to add the plastic doohicky myself. If your entrance person doesn't, ask. The worst that can happen is he'll say no.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

Before you hand it over, mention that this particular gun is rare or unusual and ask the police officer if he would allow you to zip tie the gun to his satisfaction after he verifies it's clear. He may even allow you to open the action to show him it's clear and allow you to zip tie it. Just ask him before you hand it over. Most of these guys volunteer for this duty &, althought they're on the clock, they're likely to be gun nuts themselves, so they'll probably understand. Also, don't try this during the inital crunch first thing in the morning. Everybody and his brother will be trying to get it and half of them will have guns.

I doubt the officer will do it the way you want and use your gloves. Probably cite safety reasons. Take a gun cloth with you and wipe if down after he's finished.

Everybody who asks to see it, you lay the ground rules before handing it over.

 

[Jim K]

Some shows now are banning "walk around" sellers both because of dealer complaints and because the seller is not controllable (no address, not known to show staff), so try to make sure in advance if you are OK and not violating any show rule.

Also, be aware that some undercover type (cop or newsie) may try to entrap you, so know the law on private sales in the state, and use some discretion in selling. They antis love headlines like, "Gun crank sells assault rifle to Channel 4 reporter posing as terrorist." (Never mind what an assault rifle is - it is whatever the Channel 4 anchor says it is.)

Jim

 

[f4t9r]

Good luck and enjoy the show

 

[jsalcedo]

Some shows now are banning "walk around" sellers both because of dealer complaints and because the seller is not controllable

Where I'm at the dealers LOVE walk around sellers.

What you got? What you got in dat? I got a table full o trades...that got da switch?

 

[SouthpawShootr]

Some shows now are banning "walk around" sellers both because of dealer complaints and because the seller is not controllable (no address, not known to show staff), so try to make sure in advance if you are OK and not violating any show rule.

Also, be aware that some undercover type (cop or newsie) may try to entrap you, so know the law on private sales in the state, and use some discretion in selling. They antis love headlines like, "Gun crank sells assault rifle to Channel 4 reporter posing as terrorist." (Never mind what an assault rifle is - it is whatever the Channel 4 anchor says it is.)

Jim

This particular show has not banned walkarounds (I was there today and there were a bunch of people roaming with for sale signs).

An undercover cop is a valid concern. You could protect yourself to some degree by asking potential buys to produce an ID and another document with their name and address on it (best is a voter registration card). Most of the undercover cops are looking for blatantly illegal transactions. ATF agents, most times, concern themselves with trying to get dealers to do something illegal and the occasional dimwit who has violated NFA then tries to make money from it.

 

[MechAg94]

Some shows now are banning "walk around" sellers both because of dealer complaints and because the seller is not controllable (no address, not known to show staff), so try to make sure in advance if you are OK and not violating any show rule.

Also, be aware that some undercover type (cop or newsie) may try to entrap you, so know the law on private sales in the state, and use some discretion in selling. They antis love headlines like, "Gun crank sells assault rifle to Channel 4 reporter posing as terrorist." (Never mind what an assault rifle is - it is whatever the Channel 4 anchor says it is.)

Jim

The only time I heard of this was when an aide to one of the Houston congresswomen inquired about buy a silencer without a permit. He was told to buzz off.
Banning private sellers would be pointless. That is the whole reason some people go to shows. It adds to the swap meet atmosphere.

 

[ulflyer]

Agents in N.C.

ATF has been fairly active lately at shows in Central N.C. At Hickory not long ago there were two male ATF's acting like buyers and a female ATF with a guy (not sure he was ATF or just her SO). In civies of course, just like regular gun show lookers. Those two were hovering around the incoming tie desk, like free lance traders do, to see if they could get someone to sell them something illegal. They've been active in Charlotte regularly.

Know the laws on buying and selling and be careful.

 

[magsnubby]

As 22-rimfire suggested, just take a nice soft cloth with you and wipe the gun down after each handeling.

Don't worry about the cops. Most of them working the shows are gun enthusiast. I was at a show this weekend gathering signatures for our petition and had several cops sign the petition.