According to Mark, host of the YouTube channel God Family and Guns, the golden age of American gun shows may be over. In a recent video, Mark delivers a sobering message about the state of gun culture’s most iconic gathering spaces. He says the experience has been “eroded” over the last several years – and now, thanks to recent legislation and increased federal oversight, it may be nearing collapse. His main concern? The disappearance of gun collectors, long the beating heart of any good gun show.
The Collector Booth Is Gone
Mark identifies the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act as the turning point. This federal law, passed in 2022, introduced new restrictions that effectively banned non-FFL holders (Federal Firearms Licensees) from selling guns at booths. That includes private collectors, who historically brought unique, antique, and otherwise rare firearms to these events. Now, gun shows are increasingly populated by local gun stores moving inventory – rows of Glocks and AR-style rifles, rather than World War II relics or vintage wheelguns.
Remembering What Gun Shows Used To Be
Mark reflects on his own experiences, saying gun shows a decade ago were a treasure trove. You could find long-lost firearms, unique historical pieces, and rare finds you’d never see in a local shop. That kind of magic, he says, came from the collectors. “The dealers have stuff everybody already has,” he explains, “but the collectors brought the soul of the show.” In his words, they had “some of the greatest handguns ever made.” Today, he says, the cool stuff is gone – and so are the people who cared enough to bring it.
The ATF Presence Looms Large
According to Mark, another major factor behind the gun show decline is the aggressive oversight by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). He notes that in 2024, there was a noticeable increase in ATF presence at shows across the country. Mark doesn’t believe the agency is after actual criminal activity but rather targeting lawful, aging collectors who happen to be selling some of their personal firearms. “They’re the worst sorts, man,” he quips sarcastically, describing harmless older gun enthusiasts who have never caused trouble. “Clearly being sarcastic here,” he adds – but the frustration is real.
The White House Could Fix This, But Will It?
While Mark acknowledges that the Biden administration can’t simply erase the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, he suggests there are ways the White House and the ATF could soften its impact. For instance, they could reduce ATF enforcement at shows or clarify that occasional sales by collectors don’t violate the law. He believes there’s a path forward that preserves the spirit of gun shows without ignoring federal regulations.
Give Collectors a Way Back In
One of Mark’s biggest suggestions is allowing collectors to access the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). If the issue is background checks, not the collector status itself, then a straightforward fix would be to give private sellers a legal means of running checks at gun shows. “It’s probably just a username and password,” he guesses. If accessing NICS is the barrier, then fix the barrier, not ban the people.
You Can Still Sell Privately – Just Not Publicly
Mark points out the irony in current law: you can still legally sell your personal firearms as a private citizen, but you can’t do it openly at a gun show unless you’re an FFL. And you certainly can’t make a profit doing it year after year. This restriction creates a confusing and punishing gray area that discourages collectors from even showing up. He believes this uneven enforcement is not only hurting gun shows, but it’s also pushing gun culture further into the shadows.
Antiquated Laws Need Modern Solutions
Drawing an analogy from a strange Missouri law about tying up horses at City Hall, Mark argues that not every law on the books still makes sense in practice. Some laws are simply outdated and need to be adjusted to match modern realities. He believes the collector ban falls into that category and that lawmakers and regulators have a responsibility to modernize enforcement. “Outdated laws mean you make modifications,” he says.
Gun Shows Were Already Struggling
Even before the law changed, Mark says gun shows were on the decline. Fewer vendors, fewer attendees, and rising costs had already begun hollowing them out. In his words, the law was “like shooting someone who’s already starving, beaten, and dying of thirst.” The community was already limping, and now it’s been dealt what could be a fatal blow. If the goal was safety, Mark suggests, there were smarter ways to do it without decimating one of the most educational and community-driven aspects of American gun culture.
This Can Still Be Fixed
Despite his grim outlook, Mark believes it’s not too late to reverse the decline. The key, he says, is bringing the collectors back. That could mean allowing them limited access to NICS, reducing ATF surveillance at shows, or simply creating carve-outs within the law for true hobbyists and historians. Gun shows are more than just marketplaces – they’re meeting grounds, classrooms, and cultural touchstones. And they shouldn’t be punished for the actions of criminals who wouldn’t go to a gun show to begin with.
A Call to Action for the ATF and White House
Mark closes by calling on the ATF and the White House to act. Not to ignore the law, but to apply it in a way that still respects the rights of ordinary Americans who have been collecting and trading guns for decades. He emphasizes that this isn’t just about guns – it’s about community, tradition, and the slow erosion of civil liberties through regulation-by-default.
Losing a Connection to History
Watching the decline of American gun shows isn’t just about missing out on cool old rifles – it’s about losing a connection to history and a space where legal, responsible firearm enthusiasts could gather, learn, and trade. Mark of God Family and Guns has spent years documenting these changes, and his message is clear: this issue doesn’t require sweeping legislation or a political war – it just requires common sense. Let the collectors come back. Let them run a background check. And let gun shows be gun shows again.
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, John developed a love for the great outdoors early on. With years of experience as a wilderness guide, he’s navigated rugged terrains and unpredictable weather patterns. John is also an avid hunter and fisherman who believes in sustainable living. His focus on practical survival skills, from building shelters to purifying water, reflects his passion for preparedness. When he’s not out in the wild, you can find him sharing his knowledge through writing, hoping to inspire others to embrace self-reliance.