Yes, yes, I’m someone who should hate Vegas. It exemplifies everything I’m against — waste, over-consumption of natural resources. It’s the antithesis of local, sustainable and eco-friendly. But somehow I seem to find myself here about once a year. I manage to enjoy myself despite not being a gambler or a shopper and every visit is wildly different. When I came with my niece, we were all about the shows. Then I showed up to
run walk the Las Vegas Marathon. Finally last year, I did Baby Vegas with The World’s Most Beautiful Baby. Now for something completely different. I’m here in Vegas this time to go to a gun show. And not just any old gun show. I’m told this isn’t just a gun show where Goober and Gomer show up to buy new hunting rifles. Apparently the real action is in war grade weaponry for law enforcement, military personnel and military contractors. I’m going to be moving in those circles. I’m doing the Shot Show with a former Navy SEAL.
If you’ve been reading this blog awhile, you’ll know that SEAL is my friend Chuck, author of SEAL Target Geronimo: The Inside Story of the Mission to Kill Osama Bin Laden. I’ve been handling his website, so ostensibly this is a chance to do some upgrades that are better handled with a face to face meeting. But really, it’s an excuse to see my old friend after many too many years. Seems every time I invite him to Sonoma, he’s off in Iraq, Afghanistan or undisclosed locations, so when he said he was autographing books at the show, I got on Orbitz. What the Hell!? How often does a card-carrying, Obama-supporting, recycling, Prius driving, Northern California Liberal get to go to a serious GUN SHOW. You just can’t pass up these opportunities.
Still, as I’ve mentioned, my Vegas trips always have a theme. So what is the theme of this one? Didn’t take me long after arriving at McCarran Airport to know. The place was crawling with shady looking characters, Israelis and guys who looked as if they came out of a casting call for The Dogs of War. Clearly, this adventure will be all about espionage and locating the evil genius who is building a death ray to take out key world capitals. But, in my world, there’s always comedy. So think Austin Powers International Man of Mystery. I’m already working on our cover. (Caution: if you haven’t seen the three Austin Powers movies at least twice each, you can stop reading now. You won’t get it.)
Yes, if anyone can, I’m going to find out WHO NUMBER TWO WORKS FOR! The Shot Show starts tomorrow and my first report from deep under cover starts then.
P.S. — If you want to get an autographed copy of SEAL Target Geronimo, Chuck will be signing at the Mako Group booth. All proceeds to the Navy League Warrior Foundation. Check it out!
Shagalicious, baybee! Seriously, getting into the Shot Show is almost impossible for the average Joe gun show habituĂ©. It’s more of an industry showcase. Have yourself a time!
Okay, this is a little creepy. So, do international weapons traders just walk up to a booth and order, say, a couple hundred rocket launchers and a dozen or so tanks and hand over the Ministry of War’s American Express? It makes my blood cold to think it’s all that simple. I’m glad you’re in good, safe company. I hope you have a shagalicious wardrobe to match your cover!
Wear camo and a spritz of female deer urine
SusanA – no.
Mind your p’s and q’s and have a good time. Just remember you are not in the cozy confines of San Francisco/Sonoma.
People watching should be okay, so long as you don’t follow anybody down empty corridors 🙂
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