Western Frontier Gun and Knife Show returns

The Western Frontier Gun and Knife Show saw over 1,000 visitors on Saturday after relocating to the Otero County Fairgrounds.

The show had to relocate from the  Tays Special Events Center on the campus of New Mexico State University-Alamogordo to the Fairgrounds. 

"The show is going great," said George Elizondo, treasurer of the Evening Lions Club. "This is probably the largest amount of people that we've ever had at any of our gun shows."

Eli Calles, Western Frontier Gun Shows organizer, said the show was so popular they had to turn down vendors from across the state.

"A lot of them wanted to come and support it because we had lost our spot at the Tays," Calles said. "So they came from all over the state just for the purpose of supporting us. We've also had a lot people from Roswell, Las Cruces and all over New Mexico come down and support the gun show."

Calles said the gun shows have been long-standing within the community and have been hosted for at least the last 30 years. The show, which had been hosted at the Tays Special Events Center since 2011, recently had to find a new venue after New Mexico State University-Alamogordo President Dr. Ken Van Winkle made the decision in December to disallow the center to be used for gun shows or the NRA banquet which has a gun raffle.

Calles said he wanted to thank the Otero County Commissioners Ronny Rardin, Susan Flores and Janet White as well as the Otero County Fair Board for allowing the gun shows to be hosted at the Fairgrounds.

"Without them, this would not have been possible," Calles said. "Also want to thank Representative (Yvette) Herrell, Senator (Ron) Griggs and Senator (Bill) Burt and all of the people in Otero County."

Calles said the transition to the new venue has been smooth and that the show has 60 vendors selling firearms, ammunition, gun parts, knives, saddles, western memorabilia, holsters as well as women's jewelry and things for the home.

"It's important because it's part of our Second Amendment and the right to bear arms," Calles said. "This is a right of the American people and (this show) strengthens that right."

Riclin Firearms Training also has a booth and offers instruction on advanced defensive handgun classes, concealed carry refresher and renewal courses, women's classes, defensive carbine and defensive shotgun classes and one-on-one instruction.

"I'll do classes around the state but I'm based out of Alamogordo," said Richard Barbaras. "I did five classes in January, that's a lot because I generally do about 15 conceal carry classes a year."

Barbaras said it's important for gun owners to take his classes because the world has become a more dangerous place and we're responsible for our own safety.

"If you're going to have a gun, you need to know how to use it," Barbaras said. "You need to understand how to use it and also what the laws are regarding using it."

For more information about Riclin Firearms Training, visit www.riclin.net or call Barbaras at 430-3040.

Proceeds from the show will go towards the Evening Lion's special project, one of which focuses on eye glasses and eye exams for needy children that are in school and the elderly.

"We're still in action and it's come back even stronger than when we were up at the Tays," said Elizondo. "People have really come in to say that they are supporting us and all our endeavors."

The Western Frontier Gun and Knife Show will run today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Otero County Fairgrounds, 410 Fairgrounds Road. Admission is $5 and children under 10 get in free with a parent. For more information, call 430-8681.