Richmond Gun Show showcases weaponry steps from Henrico’s firearms hotspot

Showmasters Gun Shows filled two expo rooms with hundreds of vendors Nov. 15-16 at the Richmond Raceway, offering a broad range of weaponry for sale including AK rifles, historical arms and memorabilia. Also up for sale were tables upon tables of handguns, shotguns, ammunition, holsters, safes, antique pistols, swords, knives, cartridges, early western Americana and military war memorabilia. 

Upon entry, each visitor – from babies to the elderly – was offered a bright orange "Guns Save Lives" sticker.

Before the gun show, Showmasters posted political messaging on its social media account, opining that gun owners’ rights in Virginia are being threatened.

For the novice, the number of vendors at the Richmond Gun Show and the sheer number of items that propel projectiles using a chemical propellant or mechanical force openly displayed could be overwhelming and frightening.

For a fan, gun owner and gun seekers who visited, though, the merchandise was of keen interest, providing recreation, protection or a means of defense. Some of the very diverse attendees expressed their inclination to hunt through their outdoor-oriented garb.

Many of the vendors specialized in one type of firearm, such as the Automatic Kalashnikov (AK) or assault rifle, with their merchandise lined up on tabletops, as well as in or on top of cases.

Some vendors specialized in rifles displayed on the tables and on racks. Many of the frames were gleaming burnished wood. One vendor displayed uniquely Japanese rifles, setting it apart from others and attracting customers that were drawn to that style and make.

A wide variety of pistols – Rugers, revolvers and Semi-automatic Glocks – also were on display covering other vendors tables. In all of these categories of weapons, many of the designs were dark, traditional or subdued.

But there were flashes of whimsy, such as a red AK covered in cartoon characters and brightly colored pistols and holsters aimed to appeal to women, who were equally present in the crowd of buyers and sellers. Also for sale were a variety of other kinds of weaponry including arrays of knives.

Historical collectors’ items and militaria from world conflicts abounded – Soviet, Nazi, Vietnam. Things to decorate the home, clothing and other accessories were available too, along with food and other items of whimsy, such as Donald Trump ready-to-roast S’more kits that resembled the president and were meant to spark conversation. Pro-Trump hats, stickers and patches abounded as well.

It’s not clear how many guns were sold at the Showmasters Gun Show, as the organizers did not provide details in response to the Henrico Citizen’s phone calls or emails.

Virginia law does not have a "loophole" that exempts licensed dealers or those with a Federal Firearm License from conducting background checks when selling at gun shows. Both federal and Virginia state laws require FFLs to perform background checks on all sales, regardless of whether the sale occurs at their permanent business premises or at a gun show.

The state requires promoters to provide a list of exhibitors to law enforcement before and after shows and requires state police to be available for background checks at the shows, as they were at last weekend's show.

While the second amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms, research conducted by Everytown for Gun Safety’s found this year in Virginia there were at least 766 total incidents of gun violence. In Henrico County during that same time span, there were at least 23 incidents of gun violence reported in news outlets.

In 2020, Virginia passed a major suite of gun safety laws, including requiring background checks for all gun sales and relinquishment for domestic abusers under restraining orders, according to the Everytown for Gun Safety Research & Policy. In 2021, the state enacted legislation to address the Charleston Loophole, which extends the period to complete a background check before a firearm can be transferred, and to empower localities to pass their own gun safety laws.

The Henrico County Police Department’s data showed that in 2024, 159 guns were stolen from vehicles – with 53% reportedly in unlocked vehicles.

In December 2024, 40 guns were stolen from a Henrico County pawn shop whose doors were smashed by a driver in a stolen car.

In 2024 there were a total of 300 firearm offenses in Henrico County, which was a 2% increase from 2023.

Somewhat ironically, the area with the most firearm offenses in the county is just steps from the Richmond Raceway, at East Laburnum Avenue and Delmont Road.

Guns made the news in Henrico in alarming ways during the past few months.

• At the start of the school year, hundreds of students streamed out of Hermitage High School to join a nationwide walkout demonstration protesting gun violence in schools. 

• A gun was fired at a youth soccer game on a weekend at Holman Middle School; officials this week charged an Alexandria man.

• A preteen brought a loaded gun to a Henrico middle school.

• A 40-year-old Henrico woman was charged after bringing a weapon to a Henrico high school.

Monday after the Showmasters gun show, the business’ social media account conveyed warnings to gun owners regarding the upcoming General Assembly legislative session. An early morning post tipped a hat to Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin for vetoing all but one gun control bills that came to him for a signature.

Last March, Youngkin approved just one gun control bill – filed several years after the 202 shooting death of Henrico teen Lucia Bremer – specifically creating a felony charge for parents or guardians who allow a child under 18 to access a firearm despite knowing the child has a history of violent or threatening behavior, the Virginia Mercury reported.

Youngkin vetoed 30 bills, including ones to restrict assault weapons access, impose waiting periods to receive a gun after purchasing one, expand the definition of people convicted of domestic abuse who are prevented from having a gun to include intimate partners, ban guns in more public places and conduct a study on the effects of gun violence, according to reporting by the Virginia Mercury.

Later on Monday the Showmasters Gun Shows’ Facebook account posted: “On January 17th, when Abigail Spanberger is inaugurated Virginia will become a civilian disarmament state. Elections have consequences.”

On Wednesday, the Virginia Crime Commission discussed the impact of firearm injuries and gun related deaths as well as the prospect of requiring firearm purchaser licenses.

Statewide data presented by the Virginia Department of Health showed in 2024, roughly one-third of gun-related deaths are homicides (418) and two-thirds are suicides (746), with the key demographic being young men in both cases.

Showmasters has gun shows planned throughout Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia on weekends through the end of next year, with gun shows returning to the Richmond Raceway in January, March, May, July, August and November.

Dina Weinstein is the Citizen’s community vitality reporter and a Report for America corps member, covering housing, health and transportation. Support her work and articles like this one by making a contribution to the Citizen.