Colin Walters of Bonnieville, Ky. showcases his 1968 Volkswagen air-cooled Beetle and his 12-gauge AR-style shotgun which he had tried to sell at “Steve’s Gun and Knife Show” in Cave City, Ky. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Von Smith)
Gun enthusiasts and collectors travelled throughout South Central Ky. to attend Steve’s Gun and Knife Show on Saturday at the Cave Area Convention Center in Cave City, Ky.
The annual convention draws prospective buyers and sellers who barter and trade for a wide range of used firearms. Gun owners walking out with their new-purchases or unsold pieces posed for portraits against the backdrop of rural Kentucky.
Firearm sales nationally have fallen drastically in recent weeks, despite the recent Inauguration on GOP candidate Donald J. Trump. This isn’t the first time firearm sales have dropped under the new president, which earned the term “Trump-slump” during his first presidency.
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Sales peaked in 2021 under former President Joe Biden during a period a high-anxiety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, high crime rates and threats of gun-control from the Biden administration. The relief brought by the re-election of Trump has cost the demand that supplied high profits in 2021, but that hasn’t erased gunowners support for the new president.
Steve’s Gun and Knife Show, a staple of Barren Co., is set to convene again on March 29 at the Cave Area Convention Center.
Maddy Hayes of Webster, Ky. balances her son Wyatt Hayes in one arm and a Steven’s Model 20-gauge single-barrel shotgun in the other outside of “Steve’s Gun and Knife Show” at the Cave Area Conference Center in Cave City, Ky. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Von Smith)Specialized engravings on the sides of receivers give each shotgun, such as this one owned by Doc Chapman of South Central Ky., a unique sense of character. Chapman was looking to sell this worn 1970’s era Old Savage 12-gauge shotgun at “Steve’s Gun and Knife Show” at the Cave Area Conference Center in Cave City, Ky. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Von Smith)Doc Chapman, a dog breeder from South Central Ky., holds an Old Savage 12-gauge shotgun dating to the 1970’s outside of “Steve’s Gun and Knife Show” at the Cave Area Conference Center in Cave City, Ky. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Von Smith)Intricate metal engraving’s on the receiver of this 1954 Browning Sweet 16 gives the firearm it’s character at Steve’s Gun and Knife Show at the Cave Area Conference Center in Cave City, Ky. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Von Smith)A gun show visitor demonstrates the fine etch work of his 19th-century double barrel shotgun outside of Steve’s Gun and Knife Show at the Cave Area Conference Center in Cave City, Ky. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Von Smith)Ken Wininger of Glasgow, Ky presents his German-made 1932 model Mauser rifle outside of “Steve’s Gun and Knife Show” at the Cave Area Conference Center in Cave City, Ky. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. Wininger brought the Mauser to “Steve’s Gun and Knife Show” not to sell, but to have examined by an experienced military rifle specialist who could tell Wininger the caliber of the rifle, and understand more of it’s history. (Von Smith)Colin Walters of Bonnieville, Ky. was unable to find a suitable buyer for his 12-gauge AR-style shotgun at “Steve’s Gun and Knife Show” at the Cave Area Conference Center in Cave City, Ky. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. AR-style shotguns differ from traditional single action shotguns because of their magazine-fed loading style and semi-automatic fire. (Von Smith)
Von Smith is a photographer and writer from the south end of Louisville majoring in Photojournalism and Journalism. Von has been in the Herald newsroom since enrolling at WKU and intends on remaining there through graduation.
