imported post
The last time I went to the Hampton show, they had me unload my handgun, remove all magazines, empty all magazines, and then put the bullets & magazines in one baggie. The baggie had my name written on in with permanent black marker and they were only releasing the baggies if you showed your ID. No taking down of information occurred. They were just comparing the name on the ID to the name on the baggie.
My firearm, they-zip tied it... well tried to. They couldn't figure out how to lock the slide open. I sighed and had the person give it back. I locked the slide open and then zip-tied it.
I had the same observation about those zip-ties... what exactly stops someone from buying a magazine or three, ammo for the firearm, bringing/buying a small knife or clipper to cut the zip-tie and then loading up? Then again, it may just be a means for them to comply with the insurance requirements because they have to. The fault may not lie with show itself.
Feel good safety measures don't improve the situation. Enacting them often makes it worse. Take for instance the unloading and handling of firearms at the entrance. The more a firearm is manipulated, the more chances you have for something to go awry.
Norfolk's shows follow the same/similar rules.