Florida Gun Show organizers say bump stocks gaining popularity amid ban concerns

Event coming to Orlando this weekend

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Florida Gun Show is coming to Orlando this weekend and organizers say many gun owners may be interested in buying bump stocks after the Las Vegas shooting and the call to ban them. 

The 200 vendors spent Friday preparing for the show by unpacking boxes and laying out their merchandise at the Central Florida Fairgrounds. 

Show organizer Scott Mongeon told News 6 that 15,000 people are expected to fill the facility over the next two days. He said some people might be shopping for bump stocks, a legal gun accessory that allows semi-automatic weapons to fire ammunition rapidly. 

"I know last weekend we did a gun show, and I think we maybe had one, or possibly two, vendors that had one or two bump stocks to sell," Mongeon said. 

Mongeon said bump stocks are gaining popularity after the gunman used them in the Las Vegas shooting. Officials said at least 12 of his weapons were outfitted with bump stocks. 

"We're here with heavy hearts. First and foremost, we always think about the victims in Las Vegas. We think about the victims in Orlando a little over a year ago," Mongeon said.

He said gun owners are now concerned that lawmakers could make it illegal to buy or own bump stocks. 

"People are buying them wherever they can find them -- gun broker, whatever site there is, and they're buying and paying a ridiculous amount of money," he said.

Bills are proposed in Florida and in Washington, D.C. that would ban gun accessories that mimic automatic weapon fire. 

Mongeon said some gun owners are worried and they might show up to the show looking to buy them. 

News 6 spoke to several vendors who said they are not selling bump stocks, calling them ineffective. 

But Mongeon said there could be people coming to the show to sell theirs and he warns finding one won't be easy. 

"They're gone. If you haven't bought it from the manufacturer or bought it from a distributor or bought it from a dealer, they're gone," he said. 

Mongeon said the gun show will offer everything in the sporting goods industry, ranging from guns, ammunition, knives, accessories, gun cases and much more. Concealed weapons certification classes will also be offered at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The Florida Gun Show is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Central Florida Fairgrounds. Click here for more information.

Tickets are $11 and can be purchased at the door.


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