Big Sandy Gun Show looking for vendors

After a two-year hiatus, the Big Sandy Gun Show is returning January 28-30, and organizer Keith Hanson said, at more than a month out, the venue has only 15 tables left for vendors interested in participating.

Though Hanson has helped organize the annual Chinook Rod and Gun Club gun show for the past nine years, this is his first time spearheading the Big Sandy Gun Show, he said, so he’s limiting the vendors to those who sell and/or buy guns, ammunition and gun-related items, even for vendors dealing in antiques.

“I wanted to have enough room for all the gun vendors before I started inviting antique dealers,” he said. “When they show up they have beautiful, beautiful antiques, but they are quite large some of them. ... And it’s my first year, and I don’t know how it’s going to go over.”

Many of the vendors already signed on are from the local area, as well as other parts of the state, including Big Sandy, Havre, Chester, Lewistown, Hamilton and Missoula.

“The more local the better,” he said.

He said he sees these events as a way to bring extra money into a community along with providing a service, and he’s working with many of the Big Sandy businesses to coordinate services for food and lodging.

The Big Sandy Gun Show starts Friday, Jan. 28, 2-6 p.m., and continues Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. General admission is $5 for all three days, and children under 12 get in free but have to be accompanied by an adult. There also will be a 50/50 raffle tickets on sale as a fundraiser.

Hanson said the Chinook gun show had very high visitor numbers this year and after talking with people about the Big Sandy event he’s expecting 300 to 500 people to come through the venue.

He said he has 35 tables reserved already with three large vendors already on board. Vendors can reserve up to five tables and 15 are available. 24-hour security will be provided.

All state and federal law must be observed at all times, Hanson said.

“All guns must be checked and cleared at the door whether you’re a vendor or a person coming in ... that’s just kind of state law. And we abide by all (Federal Firearms License) rules and state law when we’re there,” he said, adding that “some vendors will make you fill out paperwork and some won’t.”

For more information or to reserve a vendor table, people can call Keith Hanson at 406-399-2913.