Big Sandy gun show set for major event

After a two-year hiatus, the Big Sandy Gun Show is returning Friday through Sunday, organizer Keith Hanson said, and they are expecting a large turnout for the 15 vendors selling, buying and trading at the event.

Hanson, who is spearheading the Big Sandy show after nine years co-organizing the Chinook Gun & Antique Show, said the Chinook event 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 over the three days.

“It’s a great uplifting thing for a community, it really is,” he said.

The gun shows bring in extra money for the community, he added, but he also works to partner with local businesses and people.

“Everything we do we try to promote local — local restaurants, local bars, local grocery stores, local gas stations. Everything,” he said. “And that’s one thing with Big Sandy. I’ve already got on board with the three restaurants, and they’re willing to step up and help, and the grocery store’s excited. They have a little hotel there I believe everybody is staying at, for the most part.”

This is his first time spearheading the Big Sandy Gun Show, Hanson said, so he’s limiting the vendors to those who deal with guns from semi-automatic to lever action, ammunition and gun-related items, though some vendors will have antique guns and related items.

“I wanted to have enough room for all the gun vendors before I started inviting (general) 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, which are filling all 50 tables, 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.

However, one of the seven largest vendors is coming in from Idaho with all types of optics from scopes to night vision gear, filling six reserved tables, he said.

When he took on organizing of the Big Sandy gun show, Hanson said, he was approached by enthusiasts who asked to see certain products and vendors, and he worked to fulfill this wish list.

“We got a great variety,” he said, adding that “it’s just a great place to come and find those unique items.”

At the gun show, 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 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.”

The Big Sandy Gun Show starts Friday, set for 2-6 p.m., and continues Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 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 at the door to be drawn Sunday at noon, and the ticket holders don’t have to be present to win.

For more information, people can call Keith Hanson at 406-399-2913.