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TUCSON, Ariz. — Thousands of weapons enthusiasts, many openly packing heat, crammed into an Arizona gun show chock full of high-powered rifles and semiautomatic pistols yesterday — a mere 13 miles away from last weekend’s rampage.
Despite the 4,500 who filed into the Crossroads of the West Gun Show at the Pima County Fairgrounds throughout the day, a donation box at the entrance for the six dead and 13 wounded, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, sat nearly empty.
The audacious showing came as Giffords continued her miraculous recovery, with doctors removing her ventilator by inserting a tube in her windpipe to allow her to breathe without the help of machines.
Some 7,000 people are expected to attend the two-day gun extravaganza that features more than 100 vendors hawking massive arsenals of AK-47s, assault weapons, sniper gear and ammo.
“When guns are in the news, it inspires gun owners to get out and defend their Second and First Amendment rights,” said show organizer Bob Templeton, adding that turnout was higher than expected.
Several vendors offered Glocks and 33-round extended clips — the type used by Jared Lee Loughner, 22, in his Jan. 8 shooting rampage — although sales were average.
New York Rep. Carolyn McCarthy plans to introduce legislation this week outlawing magazines that carry more than 10 rounds.
Meanwhile, a victim from last week’s massacre, Eric Fuller, was arrested yesterday after allegedly saying “you’re dead” to a gun-rights supporter as the two were speaking at a forum being taped to air on ABC today, the Arizona Republic said.
And a Long Island man, James Guarnaccio, 55, was arrested for allegedly making 40 harassing calls over a two-day span to the district office of Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Queens).