Gun Show Cops

T

tegemu

New member
I was at the Jax, Fla. gun show today and there were two cops at the door, banding guns, and a couple roaming the floor. All were gun enthusiasts. One of the cops at the door was very impressed with my Carry Springfield, GI 45 with some improvements and nice grips. He asked my permision to dry fire it. We talked at length about it and where he could get some work on his. I recommended Jim Rose, a particularly skilled and highly regarded Gun Smith, with a national rep as being especially skilled with 1911's.
While on the floor I had two Semi-auto's dangling around my neck, for sale. I noticed one of the Sergeants crooking his neck to see that both were tie-locked. I found it reassuring that he did - sort of like I like it that TSA is trying to prevent Airborne incidents with pre-board searches, I am definately annoyed and inconvenienced by them but post 911, reassured as well. I thanked the Sergeant who was pleasantly surprised. He then said, "This concerns me more," and pointed to the magazine. His concern made perfect sense and I immediatly removed both mags. The whole encounter with the Duval County Sheriff's Office (Jax Police) was a reassuring pleasant one. Not a trace of discourtesy or interference with the show. I couldn't help but think, "Now that's what police forces are for and how their Officers should conduct themselves." Thank you Deputies.
 
I've always had very pleasant experiences at gun shows with the law enforcement present. Unless I go to a show near me, they don't know that I'm an LEO, and I don't tell anyone, and I've always been treated the way I treat people...with respect.

Actually I've more than once made some great friends with the officers at gun shows. Very much Pro-RKBA guys.
 
I am definately annoyed and inconvenienced by them but post 911, reassured as well
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Agree with your first two points but I must strongly but respectfully disagree with your last point. Every study that I am aware of (including at least one by a misguided college student ) that tested TSA in terms of catching weapons gave them a failing grade. I also believe that due to them missing metal items on myself and my mother ( and not searching her cane and wheelchair :rolleyes: ) Even ignoring metal, knives can be made out of obsidian (SP?), glass (Used to be used for eye surgery) or plastic.

TSA is a (IMHO) "feel good" govermental program. Much like having national guard walking around the airport with unloaded M-16s post 9-11. And they were going to stop the terrrorists how ?



As far as cops at gun shows I like having them there. IMHO they keep some of the low life our of the gun shows, I've never been harrased by them (actually I've always been treated with respect and reasonably by every LEO I've had dealings with but that is how I treat them as well) but there was the incident in Virginia

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=189042&highlight=virginia+gun+show+police

I would have a MAJOR problem with police going to my neighbors and telling them I am buying a gun.:mad:

NukemJim
 
To clarify: I agree whole heartedly with the opinion of TSA. However I am very pleased that the concept of preventing Airborne incidents, if possible, is receiving some attention.
 
From what I have seen both the TSA and gunshow cops are nothing more than feel good programs.

The first show I went to I didn't know about checking guns and walked in with one stuck in my belt I walked around the show for about two hours like that and was never challenged.

When I walk in now they cop at the door simply asks me if I have any guns, I could easily tell him no and not be checked.
Even if they check my gun there is nothing to prevent me from having a loaded magazine in my pocket

I have never been to a show where I didn't see a mag vender cutting of the ties to show a buyer that his mags will fit the customer's gun.
I have a little pen knife with me and can do the same thing.

On a brighter note though I like the cops that work the shows
Around here they are off duty paid security and it seems to be the same guys all the time.
You don't work that kind of gig more than once unless you are interested in guns and get along with the gun crowd
 
I'm a gun show "cop" - I volunteer to check guns coming in and verify they're not loaded. It's a good way to see the guns that owners want to get rid of before the dealers inside get to see them. Thankfully, I've never been a TSA employee nor do I want to be one. At out local gunshow, which is put on by the county sportsmens association - checking guns is done as a requirement to use the building. Our policy if the gun is concealed and I can see it, it doesn't exist. I'm not into patting people down to see what they're carrying, but if you come in and flop your coat open and I see your carry weapon - it has to be unloaded to enter the show.
 
Short of a platoon-sized element of machine-pistol toting terrorists, who would try to rob anyone at a Gun Show? The security staff are armed, and the plethora of guns and ammunition, many times beside each other, would deter any breathing human.

We can "what-if" any scenario you like, but the possibility is going to remain pretty slim. The size of most Gun Shows would prevent visuals of the entire floor, and the crowd would prevent the robber, or terrorist, from stopping others from warning people in the areas not yet secured. How long do you think that a tape security device on your CCW would take to get off and the weappon brought into play?:)
 
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