Texas Gun Show in S. Austin and Changing Times

[jinzai]

Went to the "Texas Gun Show" in S. Austin yesterday to look around. Event was small, and not too busy. I was talking to a vendor and we were recalling the huge gun shows at the location on 290 near IH-35 just a decade or so ago (it now houses a technical school). Kind of funny, the guy was reminiscing about how they had beer and (although I didn't recall this) "hard liquor".

How times change. Not necessarily regarding the availability of libations at the local gun shows, but regarding the climate surrounding gun ownership in Austin. We have a police chief who is sponsoring gun buy backs in a town that has one of the lowest violent crime rates among similar large cities in the nation; yet, property crime here is higher than in other large metropolitan cities, like Houston for instance. (In fact, two burglaries ended in the deaths of the perpetrators here in the last ten days or so - in one, an 85 year old home owner stabbed and killed a 38 year-old intruder after confronting him and being assaulted; in the other, the burglar was shot by the home owner during a struggle.)

And of course, there's also the infamous ATF "stakeouts" at the gun shows that were once held at the Crockett center in north central Austin. A whole different can of worms there. (A quote on the stand from an ATF agent testifying against a gun dealer accused of selling guns to an illegal immigrant, when asked how he knew he was an illegal: "He just looked like he was an illegal." The gun dealer was found guilty. I guess racial profiling is okay when it's done for a pro-liberal cause...)

My point here is that I was extremely surprised at the small show and low turnout for this gun show event. Maybe it's the economy, and maybe not, but it makes me think about how a vocal minority (the anti-gun crowd) can, over time, affect the rights and lifestyle of the majority in such a drastic manner. In this case, simply by creating a chilly political climate toward gun ownership in central Texas.

Of course, libs don't control what ATF agents do, any more than they control the APD chief (well, unless you count the silly council). But it is due to their extremely vocal influence in the media and political activism in Washington that gun ownership is even in question at all in our nation.

Maybe I'm just bummed because I can't go to a decent gun show anymore without having to drive for at least an hour. But, it does give me pause when I consider how much the climate has changed in ten years here in the capital.

[WildBill]

Maybe I'm just bummed because I can't go to a decent gun show anymore without having to drive for at least an hour. But, it does give me pause when I consider how much the climate has changed in ten years here in the capital.

Gun shows have always been a hit-or-miss proposition. At the same venue, one month can be great, and the next month a bust.

[jinzai]

Maybe it was just the time of year then. In my former business (service/retail), July was traditionally our slowest month for new business.

I'll keep hitting this gun show and supporting it, regardless... I want to see it stick around so we have a good show to attend here in Austin.

By the way, here's the link to the Austin gun show schedule: http://texasgunshows.net/Austin.aspx

[idrathernot]

I've been to the gun show at that location a few times now and as of recently I've really wanted my admission fee back. I guess the fiasco scared enough of the real vendors off because it seems more like a flea market that a gun show. I mean there was a dedicated booth for purses, they were literally selling purses at a gun show. Additionally, I think one of the reasons that Gun Shows are "dying out" has less to do with diminishing popularity and more to do with gun auction websites that offer much more competitive pricing.

[tacticool]

I wouldn't waste time and money on an Austin gun show, especially with GT Distributors nearby.

[HankB]

. . . .I was extremely surprised at the small show and low turnout for this gun show event.

I attended this gun show once and was sorely disappointed at the dearth of actual guns at the event. When I go to a gun show, I am NOT happy about paying to see chocolate fudge vendors, "As Seen On TV" junk like Mighty Putty and Sham Wow, purse vendors, automotive engine oil additives, and beanie babies. I'd say the poor quality of the show is the reason for the low turnout; it's certainly the reason I haven't returned. (One of these days I'll visit the San Antonio show . . . )

I miss the SAXET shows out near the 290/I35 interchange . . . and the other gun show at the Coliseum. (Since torn down.)

[Pawpaw]

I guess it's all about where you are.

I went to the Big Town gun show yesterday after having not been there in years. I was a bit concerned because of some of the negative things I've read about the Big Town show recently.

I'll have to say it was a busy place. Sometimes, it was difficult to get around the booths to check out a specific item. There was lots of non-gun relates stuff there, but there always was.

I managed to get everything I was looking for and got a heck of a deal on a Kimber Ultra CDP II. I got it for at least $200 less than I could find it anywhere on the net.

I'm a happy camper!

[TexasTony]

I went to a SAXET show last weekend (my first). My area doesn't have a huge population (compared to Austin), but given the current gun climate, I was surprised at the very large turnout at the show. I don't think I've ever seen that particular parking lot so packed. I saw many people I know, and some I wouldn't have figured they would be at a gun show. Beer was on sale. My brother and I looked at the guns, we each purchased a knife (mine is a beautiful Cold Steel Spartan), and enjoyed talking to all the vendors.

I'm on a self imposed gun buying ban until my CHL comes in, but I did see many competitive prices at the show, and quite a few overpriced items. I can't speak to the gun shows of Austin, but the more rural shows seem to be doing well.

All in all it was great fun.

[GaryAdrian]

Our Pasadena Texas Gun Show is always busy. It's slowed down a little, but not by much. People are not lining up at the door at 8am anymore to get in. We have good amount of ammo and goods and my new AR was $100 less last week than it was a year ago.
Yep, times change.

[jinzai]

Yeah, I'll be checking out the gun show up in Belton soon, but like I said, I'll keep supporting the S. Austin gun show.

[GreezyG]

I tried out the Austin gun show twice. Both times I found it to be a complete rip off. .380 ammo I can buy at Academy, and did on my way home, for $30 was $55 at the show. Another booth was selling a Mossberg 88 12 gauge for $250. At Academy they sell them for $180. I saw a knife I liked, the vendor who was a nice guy was selling it for $55. A quick search on my cellphone found it for $30 online.

I know it's one thing to support the small guys and local business. But these are just a few examples of the ripoffs I've seen there.

YMMV

[rm9792]

, I think one of the reasons that Gun Shows are "dying out" has less to do with diminishing popularity and more to do with gun auction websites that offer much more competitive pricing.

Have you looked at gunbroker lately? I would venture 80% of the auctions are dealers. Northern Firearms is downright annoying as his ad is the pic instead of the pistol. The dealers are asking retail prices on the auctions as well. I dont look in the rifle section but handguns are a lost cause unless you have the patience to go thru dozens of pages at a time.

[WildBill]

Have you looked at gunbroker lately? I would venture 80% of the auctions are dealers. Northern Firearms is downright annoying as his ad is the pic instead of the pistol. The dealers are asking retail prices on the auctions as well. I dont look in the rifle section but handguns are a lost cause unless you have the patience to go thru dozens of pages at a time.

This is exactly what happened with Ebay. It started out as a way for individuals to sell their goods, but today most of the listings are from businesses.

[HankB]

The thing is, I've decided to get a Luger to fill a hole in my militaria collection, and gun shows are one of the best places to look. (On another forum, a guy wrote that there were at least 100 at his local show . . . in Ohio. )

But when the gun show is small, even if you DO find a guy with a Luger, it will either be a) mismatched, pitted, and crudely refinished with cold blue; b) some rare variation that - according to the seller - makes it worth many, many, $$$$$$$$; c) Both a) and b).

(Oh, by the way, the pitting is due to "bloodstains on the field of battle when Grandpa took the gun from a dead SS colonel during WWII . . . " )