Moderator said:
Show question's
Are we allowed to conceal at the show?
Can we bring guns to see if parts or accesories will fit?
Did anyone nail down a meeting spot for the show?
Is tax tax charged? I would think they are supposed to but is it done anyways.
1. If you ask permission - NO! They used to allow vendors to stay armed, that is no longer the case. You'll see vendors with empty holsters, holstered guns with tie-wraps around the hammer, etc.
If you respond that you are armed, they will disarm you. If you respond "no", they will not search your person but may look in any bags you carry in. I always carry a canvas bag with my C&R FFL copies, C&R List, etc. and they have looked in it numerous times.
2. Yes, they will tie-wrap it so that it might be difficult to fit in some holsters, or test other accessories. Just be extra careful of muzzle sweep as people are everywhere (and my observations are that people are exceptionally careless . . . sweeping barrels across many people, even "sighting guns" on people to "check it").
3. I won't be there (stuffing myself on lobster at BR&P), so I'll leave that to others.
4. BY LAW every vendor MUST have a MA Sales Tax Certificate and must charge sales tax. While working the GOAL table at gun shows, I have had MA DOR agents approach/ID themselves to me twice and demand to see our MA Sales Tax Certificate. They walk around the shows early the first day on a regular basis and ensure compliance. They also send shills into shows to buy without paying sales tax and then fine the vendors. This is also a reason why you usually will NOT find "private individuals" renting a table to sell surplus items, as DOR REQUIRES them to charge sales tax, declare the sales as income, etc. (even if they do this only 1x in their lifetime).
Now, in spite of the above, very few vendors actually will charge you sales tax. Also, very few will give you any sort of a receipt too.
Hope this answers some questions.