As we all pretty much know, there are no gun shows in NJ.  At least none like the kind attended in free America.  The only apparent remaining gun show, or more appropriately exhibition, is produced by a gun club in Jackson.  The last, and only, post I was able to find about this club included this little blurb.

Jersey Shore Antique Arms Collectors, Incorporated 1962, holds monthly gun and militaria shows, year around, generally on the 4th Sunday, from 8 AM until noon. This is a small operation, the cluib has under 100 members and we typically have 25 to 35 tables ($15 for non-members). Location is AmVets, Post #2 in Jackson, NJ, 08527 (66 miles from Philadelphia and 77 miles from New York City)

 

The above quoted text was found on the gunshows-usa website, the last updated was in 2008 and, as expected , the information appears to be out of date.  As best I can figure, this last holdout basically has just one or two "show and tell" exhibitions a year now.

 

I have only a vague recollection of the last real gun show in NJ.  I think it was in the early 90's, and if my memory serves me, it was held at the Freehold National Guard Armory. 

 

Unsurprisingly there is virtually no information on the history of NJ gun shows to be found on-line.  Probably because the shows were shut down before the internet age and no cached data exists.  This is where the old timers need to chime in.  Does anyone here have any recollections of NJ gun shows?

 

Let the reminiscences commence.

 

 

Soooo....  82 people have read this post and none can recall ever having been to a gun show in NJ.  Man, that's bad.

I cant tell you about past gun shows but i do go to the one in jackson sometimes, its $15 for non members if you want to rent a table, but if you want to just go in its $4.00 or buy membership for $25 and get in for free every month 

I went a couple times in the 90's . A friend of mine was a regular. You could show guns but couldn't sell them there. People would make the deal there and after the show drive down the street and do the sale. I never bought anything and it was a really lame show. Pretty sure it was held an the Elks lodge.

I believe the Jersey Shore Antique Arms Collectors had their show at what is now the Hooper Avenue Intermediate School in Toms River. The tables filled the gym. It wasn't once a month but twice a year IIRC. There weren't a lot of gun shows in the 70s in NJ as I would have least known about them.

 

To my experience people generally want too much for what they have at gun shows. The only saving grace is sometimes you find that bargain or that accessory you have been hunting for some time.

I lived in Jersey for over 30 years and I never even heard of a gun show in Jersey until I joined this forum. All gun shows were in PA as far as I knew. Going back to the 80s.

I recall in the late 60's early 70's there was a once a month gun show ( last Sunday) at Toms River High School South. I don't know what organization sponsored it. It was fairly well attended and vendors took up most of the cafeteria.

 

Still fond memories attending with my father.

I recall in the late 60's early 70's there was a once a month gun show ( last Sunday) at Toms River High School South. I don't know what organization sponsored it. It was fairly well attended and vendors took up most of the cafeteria.

Still fond memories attending with my father.

I think thats the same one I talked about.

I think thats the same one I talked about.

Probably is. It was probably less frequent than monthly, the memory tends to embellish. Imagine a gun show in a school cafeteria today? No on even giave it a second thought! Just an available empty space for a community event.

Gun shows at schools!?!?! Think of the children!!!

Gun shows at schools!?!?! Think of the children!!!

Hey when I was in high school (late 60's) there was a gun club. They sometimes actually brought their guns to school and left them in their lockers until the meeting after school

Hey when I was in high school (late 60's) there was a gun club. They sometimes actually brought their guns to school and left them in their lockers until the meeting after school

A friend that grew up in Bergen County told me in the early 60s as a Boy Scout with a Marksmanship Merit Badge he used to strap his 22 rifle to the back of his bicycle, pedal to the police station and pick up the key to the range in the school basement. Many kids used to use the range by themselves.