Lions host bi-annual gun show

CLOVIS — The event ongoing this weekend at the Clovis Civic Center is billed as a gun and knife show, and there's no shortage there of firearms, blades and accessories for the gandering and purchasing. In plenty of other ways, however, it's also a social function and a miniature bazaar of other products, from old coins and watches to food, jewelry and artificial nails.

Organizers expect up to 1,700 attendees browsing a venue-capacity of 124 vendor tables across the weekend at the biannual fundraiser now in its seventh year, said Clovis Evening Lions Club President Joe Whitehurst. Of an anticipated $14,000 raised, everything above costs stays in the community, he said, benefiting charities and annual eye-screenings for children in eastern New Mexico, among other services.

Turnout so far was slightly higher than at the previous show in October, Whitehurst said Saturday, owing in part to an improvement in weather, though "the state of the Union makes a lot of difference."

The attendance numbers seem large compared to the comfortable and convivial atmosphere Saturday afternoon at the function, with the fudge and ice cream stand, teenagers raising money for a trap and shooting competition, locals returning for their favorite tables and vendors bidding salutations to the colleagues they may not have seen since the last show.

Dawn McCutcheon said she recently found a market niche that allowed her to travel on the circuit with family. Compared to shows in her home base of Albuquerque, she said this weekend's event was "beautiful" and felt less cramped.

"Why am I selling nails at a gun show? Because my husband sells knives," she said, pausing her needlework to speak with The News. "For a couple years now he's been looking for a niche so I can come along too."

McCutcheon said sales so far were decent, and she believes her nails stand will cater mostly to "wives, girlfriends, mothers and sisters." Then again, the market is open for anyone.

Other vendors came to purvey their wares in a similar fashion. Norma Henninger of Texico said she started her coin booth after enough time attending shows with her husband and his gun stand. Dean Henninger sells "rifles, long guns, maybe a pistol," but noted that in recent times "at a lot of these shows you see less and less guns."

Offering a variety of products may help at such an event, where it's usually "95 percent looking, 5 percent buying," he said.

"It's the curiosity factor," he added. "That's standard. Lots of people are here for the first time."

Marge Chalker, of Clovis, said she began selling polished stone jewelry through a family member who sold guns at past shows. Now she wraps in wire the stones that are cut and shaped by Frank Engel. On the table, among their lapidary products, was a simple slingshot billed as a "custom made primitive weapon." That's a joke supplied by a friend, Chalker said, suited for "when you sell rocks at a gun show."

The mix of options agreed with those browsing the tables Saturday. Leslie and Patsy Bruce said they came in from Melrose, he for a holster and she for some jewelry.

Jim Encinias and Gary Ritchey said they were loyal attendees, and while they have a couple pistols of their own and shoot sometimes at the range, they were out Saturday for "more than guns."

Of particular to interest to them, they said, were handmade items such as the knives for sale from Max Pastor.

"It's a hobby, but I enjoy doing it," Pastor said, showcasing a small selection of knives forged and crafted in past months at his studio between Clovis and Portales. They're beautiful objects, he said, but "they're a tool" all the same.

Even as the market may see changes with the times, some still dig in their heels and keep to what they know best.

Don Burben, of Roswell, said he sells mostly "Winchesters and Colts," but "that's getting to be a thing of the past."

"All of these young people want bump stocks and assault rifles," he added. "We're not into that at all."

Maxie D. Lisman, of Panhandle, Texas, was concerned that most young people nowadays didn't have enough disposable income in the first place. Yet his table is one of specialty merchandise, primarily watches and accessories like chains and fobs.

"Cowboys wear pocket watches," he said, wearing a red kerchief and looking over a pair of glasses with an attached loupe. "My grandfather and father were watchmakers, and so am I. ... I'm about the only one left in the tri-state area that repairs pocket watches."

He said he hoped somebody would soon "have enough sense" to go to school for watchmaking so the tradition could continue.

"That old curmudgeon there, I fixed his watches about 30, 40 years," he said, pausing during an interview Saturday with The News to wave to a passing acquaintance.

A few local representatives had tables at the weekend show as well. Recently appointed Curry County Commissioner Seth Martin sat at a stand with a range of firearms, from "tactical to antique and collectible," while Clovis City Commissioner Gary Elliott celebrated the event for the support it enables to the community.

He also said he was somewhat surprised, "with the terrible tragedies we've had," that tempo and demand at this weekend's gun show didn't appear much different from normal.

"It's just like business as usual," he added.

Reflecting on some of the diversity of selection, Whitehurst said organizers make a pointed effort to put on a respectful event with a little something for everyone.

"We really try to be politically correct and not offend anyone," Whitehurst said. "But if they're offended by guns, they're probably not going to be here."

The show continues in its final day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.