Gun, knife show draws more than 6,500 to Show Me Center

The Missouri Gun and Knife Show is about the buying and selling of guns. However, that doesn't always happen for every dealer who makes the trip to Cape Girardeau.

"Some people will sell $30,000 worth of merchandise in a three-day period and some will sell nothing, but they'll still come back at every show," said Ron Warren, who came from Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., to sell antique guns from his collection at the Show Me Center event.

Attendance for the weekend was more than 6,500, which is close to the average number. J.D. King, one of the show's promoters, said he had expected attendance to be down.

"The weather has been good, so I anticipated less people, but we didn't take a hit," he said.

Warren said people come from across the country to participate, including Michigan, Colorado and Louisiana. The show is almost as much a social event as it is about guns, he said.

"You don't always know names, but you recognize faces. You get to know some of the people," Warren said. "You look forward to seeing them every year and gain a sense of camaraderie."

Freddie Johnson, an Iraq War veteran and retired police officer from Cape Girardeau, said he frequents gun shows in 15 states and that the Missouri Gun and Knife Show is one of his favorites.

Detailed hand-engraving on a Winchester Model 42 on Sunday during the Missouri Gun and Knife Show at the Show Me Center. (Laura Simon)

"There's always a good crowd and good people, and there are really fair prices here," he said. "I see a lot of people here that have become my friends, and they expect me to be here."

Tasha Watson of Scott City said gun collecting is a new hobby for her and that the local show is helping her become more knowledgeable. "I got into it because of my dad. He's a hunter, just like most of my family," she said. "I like the local gun show. I know a lot of the vendors from the local shops, and it helps me to branch out and learn more."

However, she doesn't collect guns like antiques. "I buy to shoot," she said. "I love going to the range."

For Warren guns are also about history.

"An older gentleman came and stood over an M1 Garand that I had," he said. "Tears came down his face as he looked at it. He told me that he hadn't seen that gun since he snuck into the service to fight in World War II at age 16 and he didn't remember it being that heavy."

While the sale of guns and knives was the focus of the show, there were also stands offering safety courses and information on concealed-carry laws, as well as stands selling organic honey.

Pertinent address:

1333 N. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau MO