The big gun show at the fairgrounds had record size crowds last weekend. I did not go but I've to 2 or 3 at the same place in the 2000s.
The venue is huge so SRO crowds is a sure sign of the gun buying madness.
I'd venture a guess & say about 30-40% of the crowd was new gun owners, entry level shooters or 2A/right-wing/political types who want a firearm before a mandated gun ban or new law.
The gun show crowd there is not really my scene. A lot of mall ninja crap, IL Nazis, dank tables, and odors of BO & Chinese food.
The weapons & firearms are marked-up and the booths are staffed with young sales clerks who can't understand the difference between nickel & stainless steel.
Or they say; "I don't like DA only pistols cause you can't cock it."
No $#*+.
CF