Hundreds attend gun show in Idaho Falls

Saturday is “gun Appreciation Day” and the national event encourages people to visit local gun ranges, gun stores, and sporting goods stores.

In Idaho Falls, hundreds of people attended the Lewis & Clark Trading Company’s gun show at the Shilo Inn.

Organizers said they’ve never seen lines as long as they were and they attribute it to the fear of the unknown.

Gun show promoter, Steve Snider, said he’s been hearing customers say President Obama’s gun control proposals has them worried about the future of firearms.

“I really feel it’s because people are afraid they’re going to start losing their gun rights and they want to make whatever purchases they can before that happens,” said Snider.

With lines out the door and people standing elbow-to-elbow just to look at the firearms on display, organizers said they’ve never had a show with much foot traffic.

President Obama’s proposals include instituting a universal background check on those looking to purchase a gun, a ban on high-capacity magazines, a ban on assault weapons and cracking down on gun trafficking.

“I think what’s going to happen is President Obama’s suggestion is going to make everybody a licensed dealer and then everybody will have to go through background checks,” said Snider.

Another common worry felt by many at the gun show is that the government may one day take everyone’s firearms.

“I don’t think things will go that far, that’s my opinion. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens,” said Snider.

The gun show will re-open Sunday from 8 a.m. To 4 p.m. at the Shilo Inn in Idaho Falls.

Meanwhile, the Wyoming Republican Party has endorsed “Gun Appreciation Day” as a way of showing strong support for the right to keep and bear arms.