San Angelo Gun and Blade Show Starts 2016 with a Bang

Sunday morning, weapons enthusiasts finalized their first weekend of 2016 browsing guns, knives, ammo and more during the Gun and Blade Show-Silver Spur Trade Shows, which began Saturday at the Foster Communications Coliseum. 

This is a show where more than 30 exhibitors come from all around to sell or trade their wares. These wares included guns (new and used), ammo, holsters, accessories, hunting stuff, jewelry for the ladies, knives, coins, collectibles, books and military items and more. Although the Coliseum wasn't overflowing with visitors, being that Saturday was the busiest, there were many couples, hunters and families who came out to enjoy what the vendors had to offer. 

This is not the first time San Angelo has hosted such a show.

Kim Sansom, one of the owners and operators of the Silver Spur Trade Shows, explained, “We’ve been doing shows at Silver Spur for 10 years. I’ve been promoting shows for over 25. We have a whole bunch of vendors that [offer] guns, gun related [items], knives, shooting, hunting [and] all that kind of stuff."

Sansom added that vendors also have quite a few things for the ladies and kids because they want the show to be a family affair. It's also a place for people to engage in a bit of trade.

"We want kids to grow up learning the proper measures and that these are for fun, shooting and hunting and not for bad stuff," Sansom stated. "We bring up the old heritage of that. You can buy, sell or trade. People can bring in firearms to trade or sell to others.”

With the show being a family affair and a place to buy, sell or trade, security was a top priority for Sansom at the show.

“We do not allow any loaded guns, period," Sansom noted. "Open carry, concealed carry, which we have to put up all the proper signage. We do that for safety reasons. We just don’t want any accidents. [People] can carry their guns but they have to have them checked. We have someone at the front door that checks them and straps them, and makes sure everything is safe. All of our vendors are required to have their guns strapped as well, and some of that is insurance now as well. We do what we need to do to create a safe environment for everybody.”

As for the dealings at the show, there is no state or federal law that states a person must be a dealer to sell or trade his or her personal guns. However, people are required to follow all state and federal laws about the age requirements and being a state resident. It is unlawful to sell a rifle or shotgun to a person under 18 years of age, or 21 years for a handgun. Federal law also restricts selling a firearm to a person who is not a resident of the state in which the transaction takes place.

Overall, the event provided the highest quality gun and blade show experience for dealers, visitors and venues. The Silver Spur shows are well-known and well-attended gatherings because of the adherence to safety.

Sansom said, ​“I would hate for someone to get hurt because a step hasn’t been taken to ensure safety. Because it has happened at shows before. We have had incidences before, but it has been on a Friday and it was a vendor. If something like that happens, they are banned from the shows and asked to leave immediately.” 

For more information on the Silver Spur Shows and future dates, visit http://www.silverspurtradeshows.com