Following the record success of its January show, the South Hot Springs Lions Club will host its second gun and knife show of the year this weekend at the Hot Springs Convention Center.
Steve Yach, gun show chairman, said the club hopes to repeat the business it saw in January.
"I think we're going to be in pretty good shape," he said, noting the club has 375 tables booked, which is more than it had for January's semiannual show.
One reason Yach expects good attendance is due to an ammunition dealer who is bringing a large supply, he said, noting that for the past few shows there has been an ammunition shortage.
"You can buy a gun but you can't get any bullets to shoot it," Yach said.
The dealer has 10 tables booked and is bringing "15,000 rounds of ammunition" which "should be plenty," he said. "Last year, (every vendor) who had ammo sold out."
Yach said they have around 100 vendors set for the weekend, which is "I think a little up from last show." He noted their last show "had more problems," referring to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This weekend's show will not have the same pandemic restrictions the past two had, he said, noting, "masks are not going to be required."
There will be signs at the entrance explaining that those who have been vaccinated are free to enter without a mask, and those without the vaccine are encouraged to wear a mask. Yach said those who are not vaccinated will be expected to self-police themselves and wear a mask.
"We can't technically ask them if they've been vaccinated," he said.
The booths will not be spaced out from each other this time, but Yach said the aisles between the rows of tables are wider than normal.
Yach noted that an unusually large amount of vendors are from Texas this year. "We're getting a lot of people from Texas ... a lot from Texas, more than usual," he said, and "a lot of Memphis area" vendors too.
Yach said there will be "over $3,000" in raffle prizes at the show, including a Crickett Rifle donated by Charlie Scuba and a custom knife by Claude Lambert.
Tickets are $10 for anyone 12 and older, and free for those younger than 12 admitted with a paid adult.
The money raised will be used to support 19 organizations, including World Services for the Blind, Arkansas Lions Eye Bank and Lab, Mid-South Lions Sight and Hearing, Lions Club International Foundation, Arkansas Sheriffs' Youth Ranches, The Caring Place, Habitat for Humanity, Jackson House, Potter's Clay, Samaritan Ministries, The Salvation Army, Ouachita Children's Center, Project HOPE Food Bank, Jones Eye Institute, Garland County Historical Society, Cooperative Christian Ministries and Clinic, Gift to Gift and Christian Fellowship of Athletes.
They also fund three scholarships to National Park College, which Yach said historically have each been for $1,000.
"Last show was a really good show. We did really well," he said, which allowed them to up the scholarships to $1,500 and he is hoping they will be able to do that again after this event.
The show is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Free parking is available, and only service animals are allowed. All local, state and federal laws are enforced and 24-hour security provided, a news release said. Donations of eyeglasses will be accepted at the event for recycling.
More than 80 dealers are registered, and will sell, buy or trade. The selection includes modern and antique firearms of all kinds, ammunition, custom knives, swords, accessories, reloading supplies, scopes and binoculars, with knives sharpened and a large selection of informative literature.
The next scheduled show is set for Jan. 15-16, 2022.