The annual Gun Show at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds kicked off Friday evening, shortly before hunting season. Normally the show comes to town in April, but the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the event to August.
Joe Butterfield, president of the Four Corners Rifle and Pistol Club, which sponsors the event, said the gun show raises money for the Junior Shooters program. There was a $5 entrance fee.
The Junior Shooters program aims to develop marksmanship and gun safety for shooters ages 10 to 20, according to the website.
After visitors had their temperature taken and recorded for COVID-19 monitoring, they signed a waiver and headed into the large indoor barn, decked out with tables and vendors.
Michael Knehs, a vendor with the licensed dealer ETSS LLC of Hotchkiss, said the Cortez show was one of the only shows this year because of COVID-19. His table had long-range target rifles, collectible rifles and big-game hunting rifles.
Who bought tickets to the Gun Show?
He estimated that with the lost shows, the company missed out on $10,000, which is notable for a small company like ETSS.
But other local vendors work on rifles as a hobby.
Cameron Stevens restored several SKS rifles made in China in the 1980s. Stevens found the rifles, originally made in the Soviet Union, them in his uncle’s safe, and figured they would be a good restoration project. He researched all the parts to rebuild the rifle, along with the history of why the rifles work the way they do.
“It was a fun project,” Stevens said.
Who bought tickets to the Gun Show?
Also on the table were handguns made in Italy and Spain, imported by the European American Armory. But the biggest seller on Saturday was ammunition.
Ted Hamilton from Glenwood Springs sold palm skinners, along with other knives for hunting and breaking down animals. He also sold large military-type knives.
Hamilton was in the Navy from 1962-66, and grew up hunting deer and elk in Delta.
Who bought tickets to the Gun Show?
Other vendors were promoting their businesses at the gun show.
Robert Kehr, originally from Alaska, recently opened a gunsmith business in Cortez called Kehr Custom Arms Ltd. He said he can repair or manufacture almost any gun part, and customize paint and metal finishes.
He and his wife went to the gun show to advertise their new business.
Who bought tickets to the Gun Show?
Along with rifles and handguns, some vendors sold stun guns. Sharlina Crawford, owner of Foxy and Fierce Defense, said her company strives to keep women and children safe at an affordable price. She sells products including stun guns, pepper spray, knives and flashlights.
“It’s nice to give people a different option,” Crawford said. By late morning on Saturday, Crawford sold about six or seven stun guns.
She is a victim of domestic violence, and said a lot of women “don’t think it’s a problem, but it is.”
Who bought tickets to the Gun Show?
Her company provides discounts for women in need, and she donates some products to shelters.
Gus Schultz, a vendor from Utah, said stun guns are good for women who “don’t want to shoot anyone.”
“No one dies, but they are definitely knocked on the ground,” Schultz said.
In addition to stun guns that look like lipstick, Schultz sold hats with President Donald Trump’s name on them.
“If it says ‘Trump,’ they just go,” Schultz said. He will sell 20 to 40 in a day at shows across the country.
Signs for Trump, along with Trump hats, were popular and proudly displayed. The Montezuma County Republican Women’s booth promoted 3rd Congressional District candidate Lauren Boebert’s campaign rally later Saturday.
Craig Wright said it was his first time to the Cortez show, and he wanted to look at hunting equipment and show his political support for the Republican candidates.
Who bought tickets to the Gun Show?
Other vendors sold CBD products, metal artwork and even windows.
The CBD vendor from Colorado Springs, Tina Marlow, said her company has a following of law enforcement officers and members of the military because she has a certificate of analysis verifying that there is almost no trace of THC in her products, which people use to relieve pain and anxiety.
People who are drug-tested for their job feel more comfortable using it, she said.
Deb Ashby’s business, Command Concealment, sells systems that conceal weapons in a house or a car. The most popular item was a magnet that can hold a 20-pound handgun, along with a strap to mount a handgun in a car.
But Ashby also sells jewelry her husband crafts out of bullets.
Who bought tickets to the Gun Show?
“We’re one of the more interesting booths,” Ashby said.
Tiffany Nichols and David Krumwiede browsed for hunting gear. They also enjoyed being out of the house.
“It’s something to do,” Nichols said, laughing. She and Krumwiede purchased knives and ammunition.
Local resident Jay Harrison browsed and looked for a good deal.
Larger companies like Osprey Global and IJK Optics also were at the gun show, selling lasers and optics before hunting season.
“There’s also some good distance shooters here,” said IJK Optics employee James Mitchell. This weekend was the company’s first time at the Cortez show. The events serve as good advertising, but other shows in the area were canceled.
Butterfield, president of the Four Corners Rifle and Pistol Club, surveyed vendors to find out if they wanted to go back to an April date next year or repeat the August dates. As of early Saturday afternoon, vendors were split.
Who bought tickets to the Gun Show?
“In August, people are gearing up for hunting season,” Butterfield said. “But April is tax season, so people spend money,” he said, because of their tax refunds.
