Don't just check for the date and admission of an equipment or shooting-sports event. Also find out about the parking, the entry, the accessible routes, the toilets, the payment options and the rules for purchases. A short conversation with the organizer of the event in question will reveal all the practical details which you would miss by reading the advertisement for the event in general. These are the things that you should check in order to plan your arrival at the event in the best way and to avoid having to make hurried decisions on the day.
Confirm the entrance, ticket, and arrival process
Ask for confirmation of the entrance, the opening time for public and the possibility to purchase tickets on the day. Ask if advance tickets are required, if identification is required or if there is any other confirmation required. Note that events are different so what has been said at a previous event is not necessarily applicable.
It is also worth asking the organizer if re-entry will be allowed. If someone attending the event needs to return a gun to a car, or go home to collect someone else, they will need to be given a hand stamp, wristband, etc. to allow re-entry to the event.
Also be aware of potential queues for entry to the event. Are there separate queues for advance ticket holders, exhibitors, guests, and people with accessibility needs? Are you coming with lots of gear in a case, or are you bringing children with you? If so, it's worth checking how busy it's going to be when you arrive.
Get specific about event parking and transport
Make sure to find out about the parking facilities at the event location before you attend an equipment or shooting-sport event. Will there be enough space for all visitors? Are the parking spaces located near the event location or do visitors have to walk a long way through loose or uneven ground with possibly stairs? Are there spaces for visitors with disabilities?
Ask for the current process for people with accessible needs to park and get to and around the event. The number of accessible parking spaces, whether they are on a first come first served basis, whether they are reserved for particular people, whether they are being monitored for return by other people, and whether they require a permit issued by the venue or local authority, all can change.
Look for information on public transport, ridesharing drop-off and pick-up points. Even if a convenient drop-off point is indicated for the event, it does not necessarily mean that it is close to the main public entrance. Be aware of the weather and ask if there is covered entrance/ waiting area if necessary.
Check accessibility at gun shows before you arrive
Ask about step-free routes, lifts, door widths, seating, accessible restrooms, lighting and sound levels as well as distances between car parking and displays. A person with limited mobility, a temporary injury, a dog, or other sensory needs will have different requirements than someone who just wants to know if there is a ramp for people with wheelchairs.
Find out who to contact on the day if the accessible route is blocked or if you need any assistance. Having a written accessibility policy is all well and good, but having a named contact who can be contacted on the day and who can provide staffed information at the venue is so much better. Ask for practical examples of how you can describe your particular need.
Facilities, such as restrooms, eating areas, etc., are spread throughout several halls. Ask for the accessible path to each public area, including restrooms, food vendors, etc. as well as the registration areas. While special treatment is not expected, it is expected that the venue can accommodate visitors with disabilities for a safe and enjoyable visit.
Ask what gun show facilities are actually available
Many venues list out basic facilities such as restrooms and seating. However, these can be located in remote parts of the venue, or there may be little in the way of facilities to relax in between looking at displays of interest. Ask for details of seating and where you can get a drink and take a break if needed.
Make sure to check if food and water will be available, and if there will be any concessions. Ask if visitors are able to bring in their own water, and if there are any restrictions on bringing in bags or containers. You would assume that there would be vendors available to purchase food and drinks from near to the venue, but this is not always the case and they may be shut or not set up. Also find out if you will be able to leave the building and come back in.
The mobile phone signal, cashpoints, and method of payment are also best confirmed in advance of an event. Even the best organized of events can occasionally experience problems with a weak signal, a cashpoint being out of order or a particular method of payment not being acceptable. Be prepared to act sensibly to protect yourself and your personal documents and cards in the crowded environment of an event.
Clarify display, handling, and purchase procedures
Should you wish to check out any firearms or accessories then you should first ask the gun show organizer how the displays are handled, and can visitors touch and feel the firearms and accessories on show. If so then are they under the control of the Exhibitor, and are visitors to follow staff instructions. There should be clear safety procedures in place at entry to the event, or as displayed around the event.
Ask how purchases will be documented and where they will be processed. Find out if items can be immediately removed from the display, or if there are any special restrictions on certain types of firearms or accessories. Remember that the laws regulating gun shows can change quickly, so check the latest information from the relevant government web site before you go.
In addition to the above points, ask the gun show organizer the following questions for all types of gear including accessories: Will the seller(s) provide adequate packaging for the item(s) I am purchasing? Will I receive a receipt for my purchase? How will I be able to carry my newly purchased items through the venue? Written terms of purchase are better than verbal.
Compare answers and spot weak planning
By asking the gun show organizer questions about your access needs, you can have a better idea of what to expect. Even if they don't have all the answers for you, a clear explanation of what you can expect for access to the event, its' limits, how to contact people to help with access needs, and the rules for the event will help you plan for your needs.
Missing an entrance, assuming accessible parking will be reserved, bringing a prohibited item in a bag, and waiting until point of sale with legal questions about buying or transferring a gun are all common mistakes that can be avoided by planning ahead for the worst case scenario of long parking spaces, queues, and non-functioning cash machines and by finding out the purchase procedures before attending the show.
Write down all the answers relevant to your inquiry. Even if only one of your questions is not fully answered in a satisfactory manner and the route looks to be too long, facilities to be unsuitable in some way, or if the event is unable to fully explain the purchase procedures of their wares then perhaps another date or even better a different event would be more suitable. Asking these types of questions in no way constitutes over-preparation, it simply enables would-be visitors to choose an event to attend at a time and date that is suitable for their particular circumstances and to attend that event with patience, understanding and due respect for the rules.
