Running a gunshow?

[Karl]

Short version:  my fraternal order is looking for money generators.  Our town has somehow never held a gunshow so this seems like an opportunity.  I recall  having seen "gunshow kits" for sale in the past but cannot find such a ting now that we want to start looking into this option.  We absolutely do not want to do anything wrong or to be perceived as doing anything wrong but our Alaska town seems to have quite the treasure hordes of firearms with no opportunity to wheel and deal. 

Does anyone know of a good "how to run a legal gunshow kit" for sale?

Has anyone here run gunshows? 

[Karl]

I was hoping that this was an easy question. 

[Trooper Hook]

Found a link to the six most important things to running a good gunshow: http://www.gunshowstoday.com/six-keys-to-running-a-good-gun-show/ . Some very good info there. I am a former reserve police officer with 30 years service. When our unit was first formed our city fathers would not supply us with anything other than old uniforms, eguipment belts and 2 radios for ten officers, We therefore for almost 15 years held a yearly gunshow. We learned some things such as have it in a venue that has enough tables on hand. Our first few shows we had to borrow tables  from different places such as churches and legion clubs. It was a a major pain picking up and returning tables. You will have dealers who will insist on carrying their own weapons, DO NOT allow it you should have your own 24 hour security as stated in the link. If they insist tell them they are NOT welcome. Weapons inspection at every entrance is important. To get dealers we found that getting ahold of other show promoters in our state they usually would give you lists of their dealers as long as your show did not conflict with theirs. Check with local gun shops and dealers also. If you can visit other shows and pickup dealers business cards. If you are an organization get an attorney and check with your insurance agent for a liability policy to cover your show dates. We found this was usually very reasonable. We usually cleared after expenses 2 or 3 thousand. Also see if your local motels and restaurants will give your out of town dealers a cut rate , builds up repeat dealers for your next show. Set a budget for your advertising. Also see what times of year the other shows in your state are held for scheduling. If you have a show good luck with it.

[Karl]

Found a link to the six most important things to running a good gunshow: http://www.gunshowstoday.com/six-keys-to-running-a-good-gun-show/ . Some very good info there. I am a former reserve police officer with 30 years service. When our unit was first formed our city fathers would not supply us with anything other than old uniforms, eguipment belts and 2 radios for ten officers, We therefore for almost 15 years held a yearly gunshow. We learned some things such as have it in a venue that has enough tables on hand. Our first few shows we had to borrow tables  from different places such as churches and legion clubs. It was a a major pain picking up and returning tables. You will have dealers who will insist on carrying their own weapons, DO NOT allow it you should have your own 24 hour security as stated in the link. If they insist tell them they are NOT welcome. Weapons inspection at every entrance is important. To get dealers we found that getting ahold of other show promoters in our state they usually would give you lists of their dealers as long as your show did not conflict with theirs. Check with local gun shops and dealers also. If you can visit other shows and pickup dealers business cards. If you are an organization get an attorney and check with your insurance agent for a liability policy to cover your show dates. We found this was usually very reasonable. We usually cleared after expenses 2 or 3 thousand. Also see if your local motels and restaurants will give your out of town dealers a cut rate , builds up repeat dealers for your next show. Set a budget for your advertising. Also see what times of year the other shows in your state are held for scheduling. If you have a show good luck with it.

This is some good advice and a good link.  Thank you.  Publishing a sheet of rules for dealers and posting a similar sheet at the entrance for shoppers would help a lot.

Alaska has constitutional carry so I am not sure that we can ban carrying guns.  Apparently a recent governor signed a law making it a misdemeanor to attempt to enforce federal firearms regulations (laws are still enforced just not regulations).  Being Alaska I doubt that this would become a problem. 

This is a fund raiser idea for a group of old crusty vets so I am looking for a really thorough set of rules for our piece of mind.  Since our hall only has maybe 3K sq/ft and less parking than we would like, we may limited the first show to only veterans and one escorted guest.  The local gun shows are interested but none of them have participated in a gun show before.  Our small city NEVER having held a gunshow is both why it sounds like a good fund raiser and worries us that there is some sort of hidden problem. 

I seem to recall that a couple of our members are security/police already.  We have a nice kitchen so might sell snacks.  We will probably just ask for a suggested donation amount for admission since locals are as likely to donate more than not. 

A couple fairly reliable sources believe that some of the largest private firearms collections are in this town.  That sounds a little hard to believe but there could be some serious trade plunder pop up at the first gun show. 

I suppose that my next step will be to corner my neighbor who works for the borough to see if there are any local laws to deal with. 

[Trooper Hook]

Karl the link I gave you that site has lists of gun shows in every state including Alaska get ahold of some of the promoters and ask what their rules are. That is why I suggested you contact an attorney and be sure to get the liability policy if God forbid someone fires a round in your venue. Remember its your show so you set the rules.  I see you are SASS so you should be used to rules. Have fun with your show if you have one.

[Karl]

Karl the link I gave you that site has lists of gun shows in every state including Alaska get ahold of some of the promoters and ask what their rules are. That is why I suggested you contact an attorney and be sure to get the liability policy if God forbid someone fires a round in your venue. Remember its your show so you set the rules.  I see you are SASS so you should be used to rules. Have fun with your show if you have one.

I am already asking if we have any lawyer members.  OK, I missed the part about asking the other gun shows what laws they are dealing with but will do that now.

The perk of having a fairly low SASS number is that everyone assumes that I know the rules and will follow them.....  ;-)  Of course the SASS shooters are very keen on a gun show.