Recent Gun Show Experience

[LittleRed]

Let me know start off by saying this probably venting more than anything else. Secondly, I suppose I am looking for someone to say I am right be be mad or that I am too uptight (be nice).

I went to a local gun show yesterday, and this time my wife came along. I am sure they are all different in other parts of the country, but in general—and yes I am stereotyping—there are two dominant crowds. The ghetto, thug-looking crowd who only ask if this gun will "cap 'em good" and how many "bullets it got". These are actual phrases overheard. The other crowd is decked out in enough camo and molle to outfit a small army—I suppose these would be the oft-spoke-of "mall ninjas" (if that's your thing—that's fine). Then there's "normal" people peppered throughout. I am about a pro 2A as you can get, but when  scan the crowd—even I think it's scary.

I couple of the "thug" types, walked by with the very obvious smell of marijuana. I know that may not bother some as much, but here are a couple of guys, looking to but a gun, while high. That last thing I wanted to do was make a scene, but when my wife went to the restroom, I walked up to an on-duty police officer and told him about the two guys. Here is the part that INFURIATED me. His reply was "Smellin' and sellin' are two different things". Noticing I wasn't happy with that response, he said he'd walk by them—which he did followed by nothing. It is ILLEGAL to use marijuana. It is ILLEGAL possess or "be in control of" a firearm if one is drug user. This is second incident recently were the police reaction to crime or potential crime has been almost apathetic.

The other incident involved my sister's purse getting snatched. The thieves charged and airline ticket. The police wouldn't even look into the name on the ticket. The credit card company wouldn't release the name citing privacy issues. Privacy of the criminal? This apathy in our police and system leads to more crime. It is the same apathy that never did anything about the guy in Tucson. Then when things happen, someone will want more gun control, or want to ban gun shows.

Please understand this a not a rant against LEOs. Maybe, there was little he could do. I just bugs me beyond belief when I or others try to help out and do the right thing and the "system" seems to ignore or favor the criminals.

A third incident, I was in a gun shop, overheard a sales guy and customer talking. The customer wanted to see some shot guns. 18" no-stock types. The sales guy, trying to point the guy in the right direction ask what he was looking to do with it. His response: "Take somebodies head off with it". The sales guy, said he can't sell him a gun. The customer, somewhat upset, said he was just kidding and that he was the principal at a local middle school. I few minutes later, I see the sales guy showing him some more firearms.

I understand jesting. I understand saying some stupid things. But, what do you ignore and what do you take seriously. I think we as gun owners need to be very careful about the image we portray. If I were coming into a gun control debate neutral, this past week's gun show and gun shop experience would have made me side with more gun control.

Remember, I admit to venting so the above is more emotional than rational, but I'd love to hear opinions on any of the above. End of rant 

[tombogan03884]

As to the guys smelling like weed, that means nothing. You can buy incense that is perfectly legal that is weed scented.
About the credit card, the company does not need to release the name , the cops may investigate the theft, or at least file a report so she has a report # to submit to her insurance and CC companies, but those companies have their own investigators who take care of filing charges when they have enough evidence.

[fightingquaker13]

As to the guys smelling like weed, that means nothing. You can buy incense that is perfectly legal that is weed scented.
About the credit card, the company does not need to release the name , the cops may investigate the theft, or at least file a report so she has a report # to submit to her insurance and CC companies, but those companies have their own investigators who take care of filing charges when they have enough evidence.

Actually CC companies general don't press charges if its below a certain amount. They just write it off and raise your late fee/interest rate. Its why they almost never show up at a bankruptcy hearing either (oddly enough Sears is the only exception. Owe them a dime and someone will be there while Visa will write off thousands.).

As far as th gun show? Yikes! I have't been to one in years so I can't compare it my local scene, but you're right, if you brought a neutral leaning friend it would turn them off. That or make them buy one so as not be outguned by the idiots. Personally, I wouldn't sell to someone smelling of pot or alchohol. I wouldn't let them on the range either. 
Better luck at your next show.
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

Depends on your local demographics, up here we get the thugs and mall ninja's as well, but they are out numbered vastly by blue and white collar shooters and hunters.

[LittleRed]

Depends on your local demographics, up here we get the thugs and mall ninja's as well, but they are out numbered vastly by blue and white collar shooters and hunters.

Hunters are probably what's missing around here. It is a big metropolitan area, so not as many hunters per ca pita. Like I said, I'm just venting/ranting. As far as the gun show thing, I could just see one of these thugs or someone like them on the news for a shooting and the media will jump on that fact they bought the guns at a gun show.   

[Sponsor]

[twyacht]

Well, I went to the local "big show" Sat. In S. Florida, we get the camo/tacticool bunch, the Rambo wannabe's, the thugs of certain ethnic backgrounds, and just "regular" folks. (Like me),..

What concerns me are the thugs, with cash, that are buying "good" stuff. Not the Cobra .380's, beat up .38's,....but the NIB Sig's, Glocks, Armalite's, DPMS, etc,....

I was reassured that those "thug" types only shoot their pistols canted flat because they come out of the box that way,....

But it is an issue to think about in a urban/suburb environment. That's why I practice, practice, practice,...AT A RANGE!!!

These thug types, practice on their stolen Playstations, and stolen X-Box's....

I have overheard conversations, from folks that know what their talking about, and punks that just "get my gak, on" types that makes me wonder.

Rant all you want LittleRed, I have done so here many times. All we can do is practice, stay sharp in public, stay up with current reliable tactics, practice, and live our lives.

Sorry about your sisters dilemma. It's a bunch of time consuming crap to get new cards, new this, new that. etc,...The police aren't really focused on solving that type of stuff anymore.. All they suggest is ".Call the 1-800 number get new cards issued,....blah, blah, ..."

[tombogan03884]

What they DON"T tell you is how you're going to call a number that is on the back of the card that was stolen 

[PegLeg45]

What they DON"T tell you is how you're going to call a number that is on the back of the card that was stolen 

Good point, Tom.......after watching a news spot on CC theft a few years ago, I loaded all the pertinent 800 contact numbers for various cards such as CC, insurance, and bank contacts for stolen cards into my cell phone. If my wallet is lost or stolen (and as long as my phone isn't stolen too) I can call and cancel cards and such.

[JC5123]

Well, I went to the local "big show" Sat. In S. Florida, we get the camo/tacticool bunch, the Rambo wannabe's, the thugs of certain ethnic backgrounds, and just "regular" folks. (Like me),..

What concerns me are the thugs, with cash, that are buying "good" stuff. Not the Cobra .380's, beat up .38's,....but the NIB Sig's, Glocks, Armalite's, DPMS, etc,....

I was reassured that those "thug" types only shoot their pistols canted flat because they come out of the box that way,....

But it is an issue to think about in a urban/suburb environment. That's why I practice, practice, practice,...AT A RANGE!!!

These thug types, practice on their stolen Playstations, and stolen X-Box's....

I have overheard conversations, from folks that know what their talking about, and punks that just "get my gak, on" types that makes me wonder.

Rant all you want LittleRed, I have done so here many times. All we can do is practice, stay sharp in public, stay up with current reliable tactics, practice, and live our lives.

Sorry about your sisters dilemma. It's a bunch of time consuming crap to get new cards, new this, new that. etc,...The police aren't really focused on solving that type of stuff anymore.. All they suggest is ".Call the 1-800 number get new cards issued,....blah, blah, ..."

I haven't heard this phrase before, please explain?

[Dakotaranger]

The last gun show I went to, there were guys that were in a camo jacket (ie not head to toe), but you go to the mall and it's not that unusual.  Guys up here generally just buy one good coat and that's it.  I'll admit I had my cargo pants on but since I've lost all the weight finding where to put everything I was carrying before has become more difficult.  

That been said I was disappointed I was looking for a good molle pack didn't find anything.  There was a TON of junk, and I don't mean in the terms of firearms or parts I mean toys and VCR tapes.