The annual Carman Gun Show filled the the town's community hall with rifles, shotguns, muskets, hunting gear, and even antique weapons.

A rifle from the 1860's was on display at one vendor's table. This particular gun was produced by Remington and its sales kept the company alive after the American Civil War.

"I restore guns," said Steve Jones. He and his brother Jeremy come from Starbuck, and they operated a booth at the gun show last Saturday. The brothers have been restoring guns, working on other people's guns, and trading parts for the past five years. The parts are becoming more rare according to Steve.

"Anything we can scoop up, we try and grab it otherwise it goes to the local dump," he said.

Jones got into working on guns, old and new, because he loved shooting--the hobby and the community that forms around shooters/gun enthusiasts.

"It's a ball," he said.

Restoring antique weapons can take a lot of time, Jones admitted. He could be working on a rifle for hundreds of hours. There usually isn't any ammo for these old guns either, so Jones takes the time to make the bullets as well.

The gun show had new organizers this year. Cathy Reid and her husband Bruce took over planning and running the event from Dennis Bell, who had captained the gun show for the past eight years.

"So far the transition has been really smooth," said Reid. She was impressed at the turn out, both in vendors and the attendees.

"We had to turn back people, only so many are allowed," Reid said about the vendors. Even after adding six tables to the crowded hall, gun sellers were still being turned away.

This is the 27th year the Carman gun show has run.