We believe it is quite appropriate for members interested in guns/gun safety/hunting/wildlife, etc. to prepare exhibits or give educational presentations on gun safety and related topics. If the member wants to display a gun at your county fair as part of an exhibit, we encourage a discussion with the member about how to safely display the gun. This includes safety for the viewing public, and safety of the exhibit, not unlike safety with other valuable items on exhibit. This also includes not exhibiting any ammunition, removing gun parts as needed to make the gun inoperable, installation of trigger locks, and securing the gun as needed. As with other valuable exhibit items, the member should be aware that while county extension staff will attempt to display the item as securely as possible, there is always some possibility, despite your best efforts, of damage to and/or theft of exhibit pieces.

For an educational presentation at the county, much the same. The member should bring the gun cased, trigger locks installed, and it should be inoperable. Leave the ammo at home. I often suggest the member check the gun in with extension staff when they arrive, obtain it in time for the presentation, and then remove the gun from the presentation area and secure it in their vehicle immediately when finished.

There is no reason not to select a qualified exhibit or presentation using firearms for the state fair. However, the Iowa State Fair policy is no firearms (or other weapons) on the fairgrounds during the Iowa State Fair. We have asked about their use in exhibits and educational presentations, and the State Fair Patrol has consistently said “No means no”. There is not an exception during the state fair for the 4-H building, no matter what security precautions we might offer. The member will need to modify his presentation to use a model or some other prop to substitute for the gun. Often the barrel can be removed, and a 4-H’er could bring just the barrel for a demonstration on how to clean a gun. Consider using photos or a video to supplement the oral presentation. We realize this is sometimes a little awkward for the 4-H'er, but believe our members are resourceful and will make the best of the situation. For an exhibit, the member will prepare any poster, display, report, etc. documenting the restoration process (or other topic), but the firearm must remain safely at home.

State fair judges have been instructed in the past, and will be again, about state fair policy, and that the 4-H member is not to be penalized during the evaluation of an exhibit or presentation because they are unable to use the firearm as they did at the county.

Actually, I’m looking forward to it. In many ways, this blog will be an extension of the Fair Exhibit Q&A I’ve written over the past few years. It will be interesting to see if we can reach folks in a different, and possibly more accessible, way to make the mysteries of 4-H easier to understand. Most of the tasks I work with shouldn’t be classified as top secret, so if I can help even one more person understand something better, or make it easier to work with a 4-H member, it will be worth it. That’s what it’s really about, helping our 4-H’ers have a better experience for however long they’re with us.

I expect to write mostly about 4-H exhibit and communication event items. Even though it’s only February, I’ve already received a couple handfuls of questions for the 2008 fair season. I see that as a good thing as it means someone is thinking ahead. However, since I also work with assorted management, policy interpretation, and other items in support of our 4-H programs, we’ll work those in from time to time.

By the way, mark your calendar now – the 2008 “U Gotta Love It” Iowa State Fair is August 7-17. See you there!