Gun buyers target two-day show

Gun and knife enthusiasts gathered at the Agriculture building on the Missouri State Fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday to buy, sell and trade wares during the R. K. Shows, Inc. gun and knife show.

Tom Lumb, of Stoutland, sells hard-to-find ammunition and works on custom finishes for firearms at Cedar Knoll Gunworks in Brownsville.

He said he has had a significant upswing in sales of ammunition over the past month.

“Sales of ammunition is very good,” Lumb said.

He said that many people in the shooting public are concerned about a possible federal tax increase on ammunition when President-elect Barack Obama takes office in January.

“Right now, it seems to be a pretty good time for the firearms industry,” Lumb said.

Lumb said although the economic situation is keeping people from spending a lot, the firearms industry has not been affected.

“It’s better than I expected; people prioritize their spending,” Lumb said.

Juan Gonzales, of Knob Noster, sold rifles and handguns at the show. He said he has seen a big increase in the sale of firearms.

“Assault firearms and high-capacity handguns are very good sellers right now,” Gonzales said.

He said the reason for the jump in sales should be obvious.

“I think the democrats know why; because they elected Obama,” Gonzales said.

Bob Hofmeister, of Herman, sells handguns for Train Haus. Hofmeister said politics and the economy have played a roll in gun sales this year.

“For a small show, I think it’s been really good. I think people are probably buying items of a little lesser value,” Hofmeister said.

John Husong, of Sedalia, visited the show both days looking for a .308 Winchester rifle for hunting.

“We should have more things like this,” Husong said. “I will buy one before the end of the day.”

He said the economy has affected people in different ways.

“For me personally, it hasn’t affected my gun buying,” Husong said.

More than 40 vendors sold knives, rifles, handguns, clothing and wood crafts during the show.

Larry Shoemake, of St. James, was one of the only antique firearm sellers at the show. He has a collection of more than 40 guns from the 1700s and 1800s.

Shoemake has an 1892 Colt single-action Army revolver, with a certified letter, that costs nearly $5,000.

He said he’s traveled “many, many miles” to find the guns.

Although his sales are not as good as others at the show, he said he enjoys it.

“It’s just something to do on the weekends,” Shoemake said.