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DaveDragon
Mar 12th, 2008, 2:54 pm
Gun Shows and People Watching (http://davedragon.rilysi.com/2008/03/guns-firearms-weapons-rilysi.html)


One of my favorite pastimes, when not riding motorcycles that is, is attending local Gun Shows in Tampa and Lakeland Florida.

These shows are large with hundreds of vendors selling their wares, lined up in long rows of tables covered with Guns, Accessories, Tools, Ammunition, Holsters, Bags, Antique Firearms, Laser Engraving, Gun Safes, Knives, Swords, Cross Bows, Blow Guns and dang near every variation of the above.


There are even some locals that sell beef jerky of many varieties at the shows.

Attendees can sit for their Florida Concealed Weapons Permit and complete all of the required documentation, fingerprint cards, etc needed to secure the CWP from the State.

There’s something special about standing at the end of a row of tables and seeing literally hundreds of firearms on display for purchase. Well I enjoy it anyway!

Another thing I enjoy is People Watching at these events. You see a wide cross section of the population at these shows and folks from every walk of life. From the very old to the very young (with parental supervision), all races and national origins are represented as well.

There are several local/regional firearms manufacturers represented at the shows and they sell hundreds of variations of their firearm offerings.


With these vendors you can pick & choose from all of the options for the gun your buying/building right at their tables.


Select a lower receiver and stock option that suites you, pick the upper receiver with the options you desire and continue selecting mounting rails, optics, slings, magazines, cleaning kits, etc, etc, until you have a completely custom AR15/M4 to your liking.


Pay the vendor and leave with your new assault rifle; that is if you have the CWP. If not, you can pick it up in three days from your local gun dealer.

Every conceivable brand of and style of weapon can be found at these shows that stay in a loop moving from city to city around the state.

I recently built an M4 with bits & pieces purchased at these shows as many folks have done. I had one in the Army and wanted to get one in my safe before our gun ownership rights are again attacked by the anti-gun lobby.

Some of the NRA’s more right-winged fanatics put pictures of Hillary Clinton on the tables displaying their guns with the text, “Get yours now, While you still can!”

I guess there’s some truth to the hype, but I still find it funny.

I have several firearms, both Class III and Not, that make up my small but interesting collection.

Some of the weapons in my collection are:
Dan Wesson .357 Magnum (http://www.notpurfect.com/main/dwrev.htm) 5 inch Barrel
Walther P22 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walther_P22) with Gemtech (http://www.gem-tech.com/) Suppressor
MAC-10 SMG (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAC-10) in 9mm / Open Bolt Design
M4 5.56mm NATO (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M4_Carbine) / Suppressor on the way
Remington 700 PSS (http://davedragon.rilysi.com/www.remington.com/rifles/700.htm) converted to M-24 SWS (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M24_Sniper_Weapon_System) / Suppressor on the way

There are more not listed above but this is a cross-section of my collection.

Of course, I have the Federal Tax Stamps where appropriate.
http://www.davedragon.org/pink/guns/TN_Tax-Stamp-Gemtech.JPG (http://www.davedragon.org/pink/guns/Tax-Stamp-Gemtech.JPG)
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The image is an actual Federal Firearms Tax Stamp, designed in 1934 and still in use today.

To get a tax stamp for a weapon or accessory like a suppressor, you must have the signature of your Chief law Enforcement Officer and an extensive back ground check.

Some County Sheriffs or Chief law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) will no longer sign the Form 4 for you as they think this will keep weapons of the type coved by the Stamp out of their counties. Of course this only works on the unknowledgeable would be class III owner as there are other means by which to legally secure the Tax Stamp.

I created a Revocable Living Trust ([url="http://www.woodatter.com/lawyer-attorney-1236139.html"]Gun Trust (http://www.davedragon.org/pink/guns/Tax-Stamp-Gemtech.JPG)) with myself and Sue as the Trustees. I submitted the Trust Documentation along with the Tax Fee of $200.00 US and the Tax Stamp Application to the B.A.T.F. for approval.

It took all of 90 days for the paperwork to clear and the IRS to issue the Tax Stamp affixed to the Living Trust Documentation. Now to add another Tax Stamp to the Trust takes only 30 days to complete.

I was raised around firearms and spent many a day in the woods hunting everything from squirrels to dove to deer in my youth.

Service in the Army and elsewhere gave me the training and experience to use firearms safely, and when needed, destructively.

I'm not interested in debating the 2nd Amendment aka The right to bear arms (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_rights) here; just posting on a topic I enjoy.


LATER

Chick
Mar 12th, 2008, 4:25 pm
Good post, Dave! I, too, really enjoy gun shows and people watching at those events. Haven't added to my collection is some time -- you got me thinking though. :)

grifscoots
Mar 12th, 2008, 5:37 pm
I always ride the bike to these shows to kind of curtail purchases. We once purchased a spear with a flint point. Sandy carried it on the back of the bike. Talk about double takes whilst traversing the highways home.

My newest is the polymer Kahr .40S&W. That booger is 3/4" at it's widest point.

Like Dave, I'm no longer interested in debating the 2nd ammendment. Either you get it, or you don't. If you don't, and they do, then you will.

Randy
Mar 12th, 2008, 6:31 pm
Like Dave, I'm no longer interested in debating the 2nd ammendment. Oh, why not? :stir:

grifscoots
Mar 12th, 2008, 6:51 pm
Oh, why not? :stir: Too much like an oil thread :p

DaveDragon
Mar 12th, 2008, 7:13 pm
Too much like an oil thread :p

What Oil do you use in your firearms?
Dino or Synth?
Do you get from your Mary Kay Rep or at the local dealer?
:stir:

Chick
Mar 12th, 2008, 7:17 pm
I never did understand why there is debate on the 2nd Ammendment and not the others. Seems purdy clear to me what our founding fathers wanted.

cfell
Mar 12th, 2008, 7:33 pm
Right on, Dave! There's just something special about us "weapons enthusiasts.."

I wonder how many of those meets they have in Hawayah?

DaveDragon
Mar 12th, 2008, 7:51 pm
I wonder how many of those meets they have in Hawayah?

That fell through when the company didn't arrive at anywhere near my final number.

RaffyK
Mar 12th, 2008, 9:17 pm
oh oh ...a gun thread.

Let's just say we here in the PRK do not get to buy some of the items you have.

On the other hand I have been on a buying spree and changing the contents of my safe.

grifscoots
Mar 12th, 2008, 9:50 pm
What Oil do you use in your firearms?
Dino or Synth?
Do you get from your Mary Kay Rep or at the local dealer?
:stir:Synthetic MK, you beast! (demoed at an elevator near you)

DaveDragon
Mar 13th, 2008, 10:01 am
Synthetic MK, you beast! (demoed at an elevator near you)

Does it have a pinkish tint to it?http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif

loansumrider
Mar 13th, 2008, 11:15 am
as long as you guys carry... I do'nt have to... stay close !!

grifscoots
Mar 13th, 2008, 3:49 pm
as long as you guys carry... I do'nt have to... stay close !!Dave, can you believe he just said that?

Lonewuff
Mar 13th, 2008, 4:24 pm
as long as you guys carry... I do'nt have to... stay close !!

Now that right there.....that's a scary thought and ranks right up there with "Cover me, I'm goin in". :eek:
:histerica

We have the biggest gun show in the country right here in Houston twice a year. My wife always tries to find trips out of town for me during those weekends...I haven't figured that one out yet. It is just so easy to get a kitchen pass on those weekends, but on the others I have to make all kinds of promises. :rolleyes:

I just walk around drooling and saying things like "oooh aaaah" or "can I pick it up and work the action" and that is just from the women walking around. :D

I love listening to guys explaining to their wife why they need this particular weapon or the best is listening to a guy try and help his wife pick out a gun for her to carry. That is a scream. Then you get to see the bad-ass wannabes. Damn I love a good gun show.

So what is this 2nd ammendment you guys are takling about? ;)

DaveDragon
Mar 13th, 2008, 4:44 pm
Dave, can you believe he just said that?

T'was unexpected from a Texican!

martin4801
Oct 3rd, 2008, 6:32 pm
T'was unexpected from a Texican!
the currency of the future, guns, and gold, and ammo. not nessarily in that order

Moot
Oct 3rd, 2008, 8:30 pm
Nice Cross-Section of firearms, Dave. While up filling my elk tag I had the chance to fire a friend's Freedom Arms 454 Casull with a 7.5" barrel. Single action, 5 shot, hand-made revlolver. 300 grain loads. B&L 2x6 scope. Holy Smokes what a gun! Amazingly accurate at 25 yards up to 100 yards. I'd love to have one but its almost too much gun for a handgun, although the recoil was surprisingly managable for so much firepower in a single action. Guess that's what you get when you spend $2100.00 for a hand-made revolver.

wsteinborn
Oct 3rd, 2008, 8:40 pm
Missouri just passed a law finally allowing NFA suppressors - just need to get my Curios & Relics collector form done, then find a company that will sell an appropriate model, and start form 4, and finally my sig rifle won't be as noisy.

Long road to go.

RonKMiller
Oct 3rd, 2008, 8:53 pm
Anxiously awaiting my SOG mini auto. 2.5 oz, 3.5 inches long (closed).
For when you want to get up close, personal and fast.

Test drove the big brother a few days ago and it was - well - like BUTTAH! - right out of the box. :eek: