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Your thoughts on the Washington Arms Collectors

SaintJacque

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2010
Messages
139
Location
Federal Way, Washington, USA
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I'm going to the WAC gun show at the Puyallup Fair Grounds this weekend. Since they do these every month, and its necessary to purchase or carry on the grounds, I was considering becoming a member. But first I wanted to see what you guys thought. Have any of you had any experiences with them? Do you recommend them? Are they in opposition to OC?

As a side note, are their signs prohibiting carry posted at the fair grounds? I was wondering if I could get in trouble if I just conceal carry.

Thanks in advance!
 

gogodawgs

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Oct 25, 2009
Messages
5,669
Location
Federal Way, Washington, USA
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SaintJacque wrote:
I'm going to the WAC gun show at the Puyallup Fair Grounds this weekend. Since they do these every month, and its necessary to purchase or carry on the grounds, I was considering becoming a member. But first I wanted to see what you guys thought. Have any of you had any experiences with them? Do you recommend them? Are they in opposition to OC?

As a side note, are their signs prohibiting carry posted at the fair grounds? I was wondering if I could get in trouble if I just conceal carry.

Thanks in advance!

I often work the OCDO table ....

I am a member ($35), I do not see WAC as opposed to OC, but as a measure of safety and liability to ANY gun show I have ever been to in ANY state in the country I have never not seen this policy.

One of our best OCers on this board is part of WAC security.

CCing on the grounds is a no no, I recommend NOT doing that!
 

SpyderTattoo

Regular Member
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May 22, 2008
Messages
1,015
Location
Kent, Washington, USA
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Thank you for the kudos gogodawgs.

If you're not a member, leave your gun secured in another location, ( security will not hold your weapon for you )pay for a ticket ( $8.00 ), then get your membership ( $35.00, actually $27.00 since we deduct your entry fee from your membership.).

After getting your current membership you can go retrieve your gun and bring it in ( having it tied off at the entrance gate ).

As long as you're a current WAC member, we don't have a problem with you CC'ing or OC'ing. Either is cool.
 

Flanders007

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2008
Messages
81
Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
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gogodawgs wrote:
SaintJacque wrote:
I'm going to the WAC gun show at the Puyallup Fair Grounds this weekend. Since they do these every month, and its necessary to purchase or carry on the grounds, I was considering becoming a member. But first I wanted to see what you guys thought. Have any of you had any experiences with them? Do you recommend them? Are they in opposition to OC?

As a side note, are their signs prohibiting carry posted at the fair grounds? I was wondering if I could get in trouble if I just conceal carry.

Thanks in advance!

I often work the OCDO table ....

I am a member ($35), I do not see WAC as opposed to OC, but as a measure of safety and liability to ANY gun show I have ever been to in ANY state in the country I have never not seen this policy.

One of our best OCers on this board is part of WAC security.

CCing on the grounds is a no no, I recommend NOT doing that!

So is OC allowed? Need to know before I walk in with a bag full of tshirts only to turn around and go back to my car to secure my pistol.
 

gogodawgs

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Oct 25, 2009
Messages
5,669
Location
Federal Way, Washington, USA
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SpyderTattoo wrote:
Thank you for the kudos gogodawgs.

If you're not a member, leave your gun secured in another location, ( security will not hold your weapon for you )pay for a ticket ( $8.00 ), then get your membership ( $35.00, actually $27.00 since we deduct your entry fee from your membership.).

After getting your current membership you can go retrieve your gun and bring it in ( having it tied off at the entrance gate ).

As long as you're a current WAC member, we don't have a problem with you CC'ing or OC'ing. Either is cool.
UNLOADED ONLY! no loaded magazines or speedloaders!
 

SpyderTattoo

Regular Member
Joined
May 22, 2008
Messages
1,015
Location
Kent, Washington, USA
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Correct, we use zip-ties to make the gun not able to function. Depends on the gun how we tie it up. Usually I like to go through the barrel for auto's and revolvers. Rifles are a whole different can of worms.

And like Gogodawgs said, no loaded magazines or speed loaders, no magazines in any weapons. We do provide a bullet trap outside at the ticket booth area for members who choose to carry loaded up to that point.

Please try to not sweep the security guys with your muzzle while unloading your gun at the trap... :shock:
 

deanf

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2007
Messages
1,789
Location
N47º 12’ x W122º 10’
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I find the WAC to generally be slow or completely unresponsive to legal/political issues. Yeah I know they have a lobbyist in Olympia - so does my mom.

I want them to be more like the VCDL or the other more strident East Coast 2A groups.

Their membership system sucks. They don't send renewals, so if you forget, then you have to go to a show and face a 1 hour wait. I've seen that twice.

An organization that is poorly run by a bunch of good old boys who are stuck in the 50's, from what I can see.

Those are my thoughts.
 

BigDave

Opt-Out Members
Joined
Nov 22, 2006
Messages
3,456
Location
Yakima, Washington, USA
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SaintJacque wrote:
I'm going to the WAC gun show at the Puyallup Fair Grounds this weekend. Since they do these every month, and its necessary to purchase or carry on the grounds, I was considering becoming a member. But first I wanted to see what you guys thought. Have any of you had any experiences with them? Do you recommend them? Are they in opposition to OC?

As a side note, are their signs prohibiting carry posted at the fair grounds? I was wondering if I could get in trouble if I just conceal carry.

Thanks in advance!
If you are asking if it is illegal to carry your firearms in the gun show, no it is legal to do so.
However if you are noticed I am sure you will be asked to leave and escorted out the door.

The concept of having to be a member to buy, sell or carry a firearm in the gun show is only done by WAC.
Gun Shows in Central and Eastern Washington has no restrictions as this and no membership requirements.

Basically WAC is just shy of going along the lines of what many anti gun advocates want to pass into law (Gun Show Loop Hole).
I say this is because they require either background checks or a CPL proving you are who you say you are and that you are cleared to buy and own a gun.

Note if you are not a member you will not be able to buy a firearm at the show.

Some of their rules.

6. Firearm sales to — or purchases from — non-members or persons prohibited by law from firearms ownership/possession are totally forbidden. Violation will lead to immediate and permanent expulsion as a member of WAC.

16. Any member who learns that another member has become disqualified from membership must report the circumstances to any Director, Officer or the WAC Office. Failure to report such knowledge may be cause for disciplinary action.

17. Any member who is required to conduct a NICS background check on a sale of a firearm to a member at a gathering of members and who receives a denial, must IMMEDIATELY report said denial and the identity of the prospective purchaser to the Show Manager or his designee. Failure to report such information may be cause for disciplinary action.

18. Any member whose attempted purchase of a firearm at a gathering of members is denied by NICS is immediately suspended and must surrender his or her badge forthwith. The suspension of such member shall terminate upon reversal of the NICS denial.

There are different reasons that could disqualify one from clearing a NCIS check and yet not be unlawful as a restraining order that has nothing to do with domestic violence or a prohibited act and yet they will revoke your membership.

Requiring you to report your neighbor !

I am curious of how many here would stand for such restrictions by the State or a City?

I'll pass for now.
 

amzbrady

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
3,521
Location
Marysville, Washington, USA
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I think the WAC is WACKED. Open to the public, but members only can buy. I refuse to go. Beside's how pathetic is it that the gun groups that run the gun shows, dont trust the gun owners to carry in their events, when we have passed background checks and are able to carry in public. IMO thats not saying much for us.
 

SpyderTattoo

Regular Member
Joined
May 22, 2008
Messages
1,015
Location
Kent, Washington, USA
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If you've seen the things that I've seen happen at the gun show, you wouldn't be so hasty. I've been swept by loaded guns out at the tie table many times. These rules are in place for safety because there are lots of people unholstering their weapons at the gate. In normal public places, no one is unholstering.

If you don't like the rules, don't come... :? So what? You have your opinion. It is what it is.
 

gogodawgs

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Oct 25, 2009
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5,669
Location
Federal Way, Washington, USA
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This show is LARGE, there are many many people there. The temptation to unholster to 'show'a weapon would be too great. Personally because of the size of the show, I would not want to be 20 aisles over when someone I can't see decides to be unsafe. There is too much opportunity for error upon too many people you don't know. (Perhaps the legal carrier at Lowe's earlier this week will remind you)
 

amzbrady

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Mar 1, 2009
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Marysville, Washington, USA
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I just dont want to be trapped unarmed in a place where someone could walk in with a pocket full of ammo, or aloaded magand pickup up a gun off a table and load it and start shooting. My opinion...
 

gogodawgs

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Oct 25, 2009
Messages
5,669
Location
Federal Way, Washington, USA
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amzbrady wrote:
I just dont want to be trapped unarmed in a place where someone could walk in with a pocket full of ammo, or aloaded magand pickup up a gun off a table and load it and start shooting. My opinion...

You can carry a revolver and the loose ammo in your pocket.

You can carry a semi and the empty magazine and loose ammo in your pocket.
 

BigDave

Opt-Out Members
Joined
Nov 22, 2006
Messages
3,456
Location
Yakima, Washington, USA
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The gun shows in Yakima, Tri-Cities and Walla Walla do not restrict non members from having their weapons cleared and zip tied or even keep their mags loaded.
I have yet to hear about an incident with them.

WAC does put on a large show and I have been there a couple of times, I personally do not feel I need to buy a membership to purchase a gun from another person or dealer for that matter.

I am not here to advocate anyone not attending the gun show, just be informed on there many restrictions.
 

SaintJacque

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2010
Messages
139
Location
Federal Way, Washington, USA
imported post

Some very good points from everyone. I think I'll check out the show this weekend and see how it goes. I wasn't a big fan of some of the rules posted on their site, either, but I'm not familiar with any other gun shows in western Washington (anyone know of any?). And I don't really want to cross the mountains. :D
 

DEROS72

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2008
Messages
2,817
Location
Valhalla
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I helped out at the table last time.paid the 8 bucks to get in and then bought a membership retrieved my sidearm ,had it tied off and was able to OC.Really quite simple.If you have your CPL it also goes faster.
 
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