Tips for Handling Guns and Knives at Shows

Follow Basic Gun Safety Practices

Always follow basic gun safety. Never point a gun at anyone, period. When handling a gun, always check the chamber yourself, even if someone says it’s empty. Return the gun to the dealer or table with the chamber in the condition you found it (open or closed).

Absolutely no horseplay with guns or knives. Follow basic safety practices at all times.

Don’t sweep anybody with the barrel. Always point the gun away from other people. At crowded shows, point the barrel towards the ceiling (for long guns), or down at the table (for handguns).

Never dry fire a gun, unless the dealer specifically allows you to do it.

If you bring a gun into the show, comply with show officials, and local laws. Your gun may need a trigger lock or tie before entering the show. Most show officials check firearms at the door and may put a nylon tie on for you before entering the show. Be sure to check the local laws before going to the show.

When Handling Knives…

Never touch the blade or edge of any knife offered or displayed as a collector’s item.

Always pick a knife up by the handle, never by the blade. It may be sharp, and you do not want to get fingerprints (or blood!) all over the blade.

Never snap a folding knife hard! This can actually damage the backspring or crack the handles on antique knives (or on new knives with fragile materials like pearl or ivory). Carefully open it, and carefully close it when you are finished inspecting it.

Never open more than one blade of a multiple-blade folding knife at a time.