Potlatch Gun Show continues to grow

Hundreds of people filtered into the Potlatch Elementary School gymnasium and weaved their way through the 85 tables full of pistols, rifles, knives and other items on display Sunday at the Potlatch Gun Show.

Chris Milbert, whose late father John Milbert first organized the town’s gun show more than 30 years ago, said the 85 tables is the most ever at the annual gun show. She estimated 60 vendors, which is also more than usual, occupied the tables.

She said 60 to 65 tables were used last year, and she previously thought 65 was the maximum number the gym could hold. Milbert did say the gym was at capacity Sunday in terms of tables.

Milbert said she attributes the vendor expansion to the aura and energy the show radiates.

“A lot of people leave saying it’s the best gun show around,” she said.

She said vendors came as far away as Sagle, Idaho, and Electric City, Wash.

Despite the growth, Milbert said she would only move the show to another venue if the Potlatch School District board of trustees no longer supported the show’s location.

At Wednesday night’s Potlatch School Board meeting, Superintendent Jeff Cirka said Milbert told him the show might have outgrown the size of the school gym due to additional booth requests and that another venue may need to be examined.

Milbert said if they were forced to change venues, they would need to find one that also supports a kitchen and cafeteria. The Potlatch Knights of Columbus annual sausage feed is held in conjunction with the gun show every year at the school.

The show’s location is so familiar to everyone that Milbert said she would not want to change venues unless it were necessary.

Other than the opportunity to check out guns, knives and ammunition, the show also creates an chances for locals to chat with each other.

“Everybody knows everybody,” she Milbert said.

Vern Peterson, former owner of Garnet Ammunition in Potlatch, is one of those who likes to mingle with area farmers, ranchers and loggers.

“It’s a good show and to have it in a school gymnasium, that’s a plus,” Peterson said.

Peterson said when he was younger students were allowed to store guns on racks inside their vehicles while attending school. He was even able to shoot deer and pheasants on his way to school.

Some local vendors, like Latah County Sheriff Richie Skiles and Paul Kilborn, were also in attendance.

Kilborn was selling hats, knives and rifles. He said he has lived in Potlatch all his life and he has visited the show since it started. He has served as a vendor the past 11 years. Kilborn said his love for guns and gun shows keep him coming back.

“I’ve been around them all my life,” he said.

There were no issues at last year’s gun show — or this year’s — despite persistent rumors of protests in the days leading up to the event.

Milbert said many people from Potlatch are supportive of the show at the school and others who relocate to the town are sometimes more reluctant to having it there.

Garrett Cabeza can be reached at (208) 883-4631, or by email to gcabeza@dnews.com.