I went to a gunshow yesterday, which apparently are a regular weekend event here in Houston. It was a very surreal experience walking around the trestle tables loaded up with weaponry of every description when the place had the family atmosphere of a summer village fete.
In Texas you can carry a gun in public if you have a 'Concealed carry permit' so evidently when wandering around the shops many of my fellow shoppers here have a gun in their pocket or handbag...
( and I thought they were pleased to see me!!
) My mate said that many of the international companies here made it company policy not to allow guns on company property, but the Texas legislature promptly changed the law to prevent companies restricting gun owners like this, but they eventually compromised and now they have to leave their guns in the car.
As well as the dealers at the show there were also quite a few private sellers and I got chatting to a chap in the 'restrooms' with a semi automatic assault rifle slung over his shoulder that he had for sale for $1500. I asked him if he would sell it to me as a foreigner, of course he replied, but he would need to see some sort of ID with a Texas address as he would have to 'fill out a form'. So no background checks required or the need for a licence. I jokingly asked him if we could do a quick deal in the car park without the need for paperwork and he said 'No Sir!', but I got the feeling that if enough cash was waved under his nose I would now be the proud owner of an assault rifle!
I think I kind of expected people to be suspicious of my motives for going there, but all the dealers and people were friendly and were just as curious about gun control in Britain as I was here.
I was however careful not to criticise US gun laws as I don't think it would have taken much to prompt a kicking round the back!!
More from the Lone Star State to follow!
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Topic: US of A!! (Read 7540 times)