'Upbeat' attitudes on display at Rapid City gun show

Rapid City Journal ^ | 08 jan 2017 | Hannah Hunsinger

[rellimpank]

The last time there was a new president elected for the United States, attendance at Rapid City’s annual gun show spiked. This time, attitudes in the community are much more relaxed.

“Over the past year, sales and attendance at gun shows has been down a little bit, but that comes after a giant increase we had since 2008. In 2008 and 2012 for this show, we had like 22,000 people come through here in a weekend,” said Lee Rohrer, one of the event organizers and member of the Rapid City Rifle Club.

[MileHi]

There may be some good buys coming.

[Azeem]

That’s completely the opposite in Indiana. Gun shows have been booming the last 8 years. We have 5 different shows around the state this weekend alone. The problem is attendance is declining since the election now that the election panic buying has stopped. Also, retailers who paid top dollar for inventory are still asking for “President Hillary” prices.

[niteowl77]

I don't attend many gun shows anymore simply because they aren't as much fun for me as they used to be. The old ones were kind of corny and full of smoke - admittedly preferable to the aroma of some attendees - but they were like a gun/hunting/surplus regional fair. The older military guns are now either in some millionaire's collection (or are overpriced to reflect same), the oddball iron from the 1930's forward that used to be a staple is pretty much reduced to a few decrepit examples, and even the vendors with new stock are kind of lackluster.

The last show I went to had very few younger attendees, and the even fewer females all appeared to be there under duress; this is the opposite of what I see at the local ranges nowadays. Most of the vendors seem to be sort of "stuck in the Fudd," and to be honest, crotchety old guys who give the appearance of being disobliging and dismissive of the new CCW/tactical crowd don't enhance any future prospects. Adapt or die.

Mr. niteowl77

[ebshumidors]

Wait, I read an article that libs were buying guns now.

[rellimpank]

--asked in one of the local gunstores if that was the case and got a grin-

-of course this part of Nye County voted about 75% Trump--I suppose the liberals are hiding under their beds---

[libstripper]

If anybody’s looking for a real blowout, just attend the NRA’s national convention in Atlanta from April 28-30.

[Rannug]

Too danged cold in Rapid. Tell the dw throw another log on the 🔥 Cook me up some bacon and some beans. Life is good.