Brandon gun show marks 40 years

Over 1,000 collectors and families braved the cold Saturday to attend the 40th annual Brandon Gun and Collectibles Show at the Keystone Centre, one of the Brandon Wildlife Association’s largest fundraising events of the year.

Held in the Manitoba Room, the show featured about 60 vendors spread across more than 200 tables, offering everything from modern sporting firearms and antique military pieces to ammunition, knives, optics and collectibles. Handguns were absent due to federal restrictions.

The event, now in its 40th year, has been operated by the club for about 15 years after it purchased the show from a previous organizer, president Brad Kirkpatrick told the Sun.

“It’s one of our major fundraisers,” Kirkpatrick said. “The funds are used to maintain our shooting facility southeast of Brandon, as well as a boat launch at Rivers Lake, and to support our junior rifle program.”

The junior program typically serves about 24 youth each year and requires funding for equipment and ammunition, he said.

Attendance can vary depending on the weather, Kirkpatrick added, but Saturday’s turnout was strong despite frigid temperatures. He estimated as many as 2,000 people could attend on the first day, with Sunday generally drawing between 1,000 and 1,500.

“We’re very impressed with the turnout,” he said. “It’s a really good crowd this morning, it could be around 2,000 and people are still coming in.”

Kirkpatrick said organizing the show requires months of co-ordination with vendors, many of whom return annually. He credited show co-ordinator Lee Robbins for managing bookings and logistics.

“If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it,” Kirkpatrick said when asked about plans. “It’s a very popular show, and people seem to enjoy it year after year.”

Among the returning vendors was Dominion Outdoors of Winkler, which has participated regularly for about a decade.

Gabriel Fontaine, who represents Dominion Outdoors, said the crowd was about average compared to previous years, with steady interest from buyers.

“We’re a full-service gun store, so we carry firearms, ammunition and steel targets that we design and manufacture,” Fontaine said. “People have been buying and asking lots of questions.”

Fontaine said he has noticed growing interest from younger attendees.

“There’s always been kids, but we’re seeing more of them,” he said. “It’s important to get the younger generation involved and to remind people that firearms ownership, when done safely, has been part of Canadian history for a long time.”

Rick Miner, a Saskatchewan-based craftsman who makes hands-free, multi-point gun slings, attended the Brandon show for the first time. He described it as one of the largest events he has participated in.

“It’s a very good turnout,” Miner said. “I’ve been pleased with the sales and the number of customers.”

He said families, including grandparents attending with grandchildren, showed particular interest in his demonstrations. Miner said he plans to return in future years.

Longtime collector Lorne Bradley said he has attended the Brandon show for more than two decades, not as a dealer but as a hobbyist who collects and trades firearms.

“It’s like any other hobby,” Bradley said. “Some guys ski, some guys golf — this is mine.”

Bradley said prices at the show ranged widely, from about $100 to $2,500, depending on condition and rarity. While he noted the crowd was slightly quieter than in some past years, he attributed that to economic pressures and the cold weather.

Kirkpatrick thanked the public for continuing to support the event.

“We really appreciate people coming out,” he said. “Their attendance helps keep our programs and facilities running.”

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