Firing Back: National Gun Day Show Recap – What Loophole?
This past weekend saw one of the largest gun shows in the world take place in Louisville, Kentucky. Known as the National Gun Day Show – or just as often The Great Eastern – visitors were greeted to more than 2100 tables with dealers from around the country in attendance. This event of course coincides with Show of Shows – or SOS – the largest military collectibles show in the world with more than 1600 tables.
What is interesting, and usually not noted in the media, is the attention to safety. Every gun going into the show, or set up on tables was required to be zip tied so that the gun could not be cocked and thus fired. Of course it was stressed that all the firearms were unloaded as well. As expected there were no problems with accidents.
But more interesting was the fact that the large dealers actually set aside table space for instant background checks, and out of state handgun sales required that items be sent to a dealer or shop holder with an FFL (Federal Firearms License). There were private sales between individuals that didn’t require the background check – but it was hardly the nefarious “gun show loophole” that is often spoken of by anti-gun zealots.
During this reporters attendance at the show questions were asked, “Can you legally own this firearm,” and I personally saw one dealer actually say, “I really can’t sell you this gun,” to a pair of youths that we’ll just say stood out. For the most part the shows were attended by collectors, those with an interest and respect in firearms, as well as those with an interest in sport shooting and hunting.
What the National Gun Day Show was not was a black markets arms fair for gang bangers, gangsters and criminals. It was an event for law-abiding citizens who know and respect the law. I can hardly wait for next year’s shows.
Guns of SOS
The annual Show of Shows (SOS) is in full swing this week in Louisville. The annual military collectibles show features some of the impressive historic military firearms ever seen under one roof. Here is a sample:
Class 3 versions of famous WWII firearms including the PPSh-41 (top) and StG44 (bottom)
FirearmsTruth Goes to the Shows
This week we’ll be traveling to the great state of Kentucky to attend two great shows in Louisville. From Thursday to Saturday is the Show of Shows, the largest militaria show in the world, with more than 1,600 tables, presented by the Ohio Valley Military Society. And this Saturday and Sunday is the National Gun Day Show with 2,100 tables.
The following veteran guests have agreed to attend the 2011 Show of Shows, health and schedules permitting:
Frederick C. Blesse, MG, USAF Ret., Korea, Vietnam fighter pilot, USAs 6th Ranking Jet Ace, author.
Robert L. Williams, 506 PIR, 101st ABN DIV, D-Day veteran and author of Return to Normandy.
Don Malarkey, Brad Freeman, Earl McClung, USA WWII, Band of Brothers.
Steve Domitrovich, Warren Schmitt, Ted Paluch, Tom Bacon, George Fox. USA WWII, Malmedy survivor.
Sid Phillips, R.V. Burgin, USMC WWII, only living characters of HBOs Pacific.
Ira Weatherly, Pilot, B29 Straight Flush, 1st Atomic Mission, Hiroshima weather plane.
Russ Gackenbach, Navigator, B29 Necessary Evil, 1st Atomic Mission, Hiroshima photo plane, and 2d Atomic Mission, Navigator, B29 Enola Gay, Kokura weather plane.
Richard Cole, USAAF WWII, Doolittle Tokyo Raider, Co-pilot, Aircraft #1.
Tom Griffin, Doolittle Tokyo Raider, Navigator, Aircraft #9.
Eugene “Gene” Strine, USN WWII, author Forgotten Widow (P-61 Black Widow night fighter).
Bud Anderson, USAAF WWII, P-51 Pilot, Triple-Ace.
Warren ‘Bing’ Evans, USA WWII, 1st Ranger Battalion.
Both events will take place at the Kentucky Fair Expo Center, South Wing C.
Show of Shows Official Website
National Gun Day Official Website
Check back later this week for photos from SOS
Show of Shows and National Gun Day This Week
We’ll take a break from reporting on the media bias against guns to post about two great shows taking place this week in Louisville. The Show of Shows, hosted by the Ohio Valley Military Society, is the largest military collectibles show in the United States and for that matter the world. With more than 1,600 tables, this is the premiere show for all things militaria including firearms, uniforms, accoutrements and for this reporter personally helmets!
And for the sporting shooter and hunter, there is the National Gun Daily Show with 2,000+ tables just down the hall. Both shows are taking place this week at the Kentucky Fair and Expo Center in Louisville.
Show of Shows (SOS) – Thursday to Saturday, February 19-21
National Gun Day – Saturday and Sunday, February 21-22
