Security stepped up at South Fla. gun show

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Gun control has continued to be a hot topic across America and Capitol Hill. Saturday, there was stepped up security at a South Florida show, as gun enthusiasts loaded up on weapons.

As families enjoyed a little fun in the sun Saturday at Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale, there were extra police officers on hand. "The place has a ton of security," said business owner Joe Brown. "I think it makes a heck of a lot of sense."

The gun and knife show took place at the War Memorial Auditorium.

The added security was re-assuring to those not headed into the show. "For all we know," said Brown, "it could be some loaded guy with arms. Who knows?"

"I called up," said Ed Triefler, "and I was told that the weapons had to be unloaded at the door, they would put guards around the triggers."

"I am a gun enthusiast," said Blas Cardenas. "I got my concealed weapons permit since 1997. I believe in the right to bear arms."

The stepped-up patrols didn't seem to bother many. "I am all for that," said Cardenas. "I think the first part about being a gun owner is being a responsible gun owner."

If gun owners on the property have a weapon out in the open, they were told to wrap it up. Fort Lauderdale police said, so far, everyone was cooperating.

While the gun show rolled on in Fort Lauderdale, gun control was front and center of three gun buy-back programs netting results in Miami. As many as 384 guns were taken off the street.

At these events, officers hope to keep guns out of the hands of people who choose not to be responsible gun owners. "So we have 384 reasons to be happy that we could have been saving lives by taking these weapons off the street," said Miami Police Chief Manuel Orosa.

Fort Lauderdale police officers stayed at the gun show until it wrapped up on Sunday at 5 p.m.

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