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Major Gun Show To Attract Thousands In Monroeville

MONROEVILLE (KDKA) -- Firearms dealers began to unload their wares Friday afternoon at the Monroeville Convention Center, site of one of the largest local gun shows this weekend.

"This is a big show," Robie Elliott of C&S Gun Shows told KDKA money editor Jon Delano. "This is one of our larger shows that we do. It draws a very big crowd, and we expect a huge crowd this weekend."

Every year, C&S of Blacksburg, Va., does over a hundred gun shows east of the Mississippi, four here in Pittsburgh.

With over 175 dealers and 600 tables for gun enthusiasts, it's more popular than ever.

"Attendance has skyrocketed. People are scared. They are worried about their rights, and they very well should be," added Elliott.

Dealers say President Obama's gun control proposals have been good for business.

"He's the best gun salesman this country has ever had," noted Ron Dalessandris of Guzyk Gun Shop in Ambridge.

And all types of firearms are available at this gun show, although dealers worry about supply keeping up with demand.

"Dealers such as myself and others are having trouble finding products to sell to people because the demand is so great. Distributors are out of everything," noted Jeff Graham of Highland Arms Company in Ligonier.

As for background checks, every dealer here must run a background check on every firearm they sell.

The exception is when a private individual comes to this show and wants to sell his shotgun or rifle to another private individual. Then there is no background check, whether it's sold at a gun show or anywhere else.

Dealers say they take the background check seriously.

Delano: "Have you had situations where it's been denied?"

Dalessandris: "Absolutely, and those people are visited by the state police and their names were in the paper. Oh yeah, they are consequences if you lie on that form."

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