Sheriff’s gun show to benefit Georgia Youth Homes draws large crowd

LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. – Despite having to compete with the Georgia-Florida football game on Saturday, the 5^th Annual Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Gun Show was a huge success.

Rhonda Sheppard, administrative assistant to Sheriff Stacy Jarrard, estimated approximately 400 people attended Saturday’s opening day, more than twice as many as attended any previous gun show.

While Georgians – like most true southerners love their football – they also are committed to helping disadvantaged children, which is what the gun show is all about.

All proceeds from the two-day event are donated to the five Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes located throughout the state. The homes were established in late 1950s as sheriffs became increasingly concerned about the growing number of abandoned, neglected and abused children. They recognized it was vital, not just for the children, but for our state, to give these disadvantaged youth the chance to grow up in a loving and secure home environment.

The homes teach at-risk young people to overcome adversity, accept authority, personal responsibility and hygiene and manners.

The homes are sustained by donations from the public and by events such as last weekend’s gun show.

Hundreds of guns were on sale at very reasonable prices from a single-shot derringer to a monster .50 caliber anti-tank sniper rifle with an effective range of about 2,000 yards and a price tag of $3,500.

Hugh Stowers traveled from Dawsonville to attend the show and purchase a weapon for his wife to use for protection.

“I think the prices are wonderful,” Stowers said. “What she is buying is a $500 gun and she is getting it for $300. A sheriff’s deputy recommended it. It’s breech-loaded like a shotgun. You insert one shell in the barrel and it pulls the rest out of a clip.”

 

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