Fort Myers gun show leads to huge crowd and traffic delays

By Julie Salomone

CREATED Feb. 9, 2013 - UPDATED: Feb. 10, 2013

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  • Record crowds at Fort Myers gun show Video by fox4now.com

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FORT MYERS, Fla.- The Suncoast Gun Show is going on this weekend. Hundreds pack into the Lee Civic Center in Fort Myers.

 
Marty Howell is just one person waiting to get into the Fort Myers gun show. He's waiting in a very long line. 
 
"I think it's just an indication of where the US is going. People are voicing their opinions and showing us how they feel," said Howell. 
 
The crowd is so big, people are parking on the grass and in tow-away zones. The Lee County Sheriff's Office is warning drivers of delays in the area surrounding the Civic Center including delays on Bayshore Road. 
 
"I think it's that feeling that they might put restrictions put in place on guns and trying to stock up as well as you can right now," said Howell. 
 
Record turnouts have been reported at local gun shows throughout Florida ever since the President announced in January proposed measures to try and reduce gun violence. For example, President Obama proposed a possible ban on assault weapons and a limit on ammunition magazines. 
 
"Try and take our guns and there's never been a gun in the world that killed nobody. People kill people, guns do not," said Danny Startt, Fort Myers resident. 
 
Bruce Privacky is visiting from Michigan. He usually buys guns for hunting, but he is just at the gun show on Saturday to look. 
 
"I am not buying any guns, have enough guns already."
 
After speaking with people outside, Fox attempted to go inside the gun show, but was turned away. Fox was told the promoters of the gun show do not want media inside or on property. Fox was told to leave so we did.  
 
The Lee County Sheriff's Office released the following about traffic delays: Motorists are advised of significant delays if planning to utilize Bayshore Road (State Road 78) east of I-75 to State Road 31.  Delays will also be experienced on State Road 31 from Palm Beach Boulevard (State Road 80) north to North River Road (State Road 78).  The Suncoast Gun Show is open till 5:00pm today and again tomorrow from 9:00am to 4:00pm.  Motorists accustomed to using these roads are encouraged to allow extra time and/or seek alternate routes. 
 
 
Gun show runs til Sunday. Admission costs $8 and the show runs from 9am to 4pm.