Gun show attendance soars before anticipated executive order

Published: Jan. 2, 2016 at 8:30 PM MST|Updated: Feb. 28, 2016 at 4:28 PM MST
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PIMA COUNTY, AZ ( Tucson News Now) - It was a packed house Saturday at the Crossroads of the West Gun Show at the Pima County Fairgrounds, the Tucson area's first gun show of 2016.

"I have never seen so many people in there. You can barely even look at a gun," said attendee Alex Aszelay.

People in attendance said it may be because folks want to buy a firearm before President Barack Obama issues an executive order requiring background checks for more gun sales and increasing reporting requirements for lost or stolen guns.

Obama is expected to announce the new restrictions Monday.

[Read more: Obama to announce executive action on gun control]

"You never know what you are going to run into when you are out there. It is still the old west," said Aszelay.

Some attendees said more background checks would take guns out of the hands of innocent citizens.

"Criminals will always get guns. Law abiding citizens are being deprived of that opportunity," said attendee Tony Kaprowski.

Others said more background checks mean safety is a top priority.

"We have a right to own a weapon, but before you own that weapon you should be vetted," said attendee Tim Grimes. "Until someone checks everyone else, every man, every woman, then we aren't safe."

Crossroads of the West Gun Show CEO Bob Templeton was not at the event Saturday, but Tucson News Now spoke to him on the phone.

He said he doesn't think business for his gun shows will be affected if the executive order is issued because his sellers are licensed and he doesn't deal too much with small-scale sellers.

The gun show continues on Sunday.

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