TAMPA, Fla. — This weekend, Tampa is holding its first gun show since the state’s gun laws changed earlier this year

What You Need To Know

  • The Florida Gun Show is being held in Tampa this weekend, the first since Florida's permitless carry law went into effect

  • Vendors say they are seeing huge crowds and increased sales

  • Women make up largest group buying new guns, says Robert Geisler, general manager of the Florida Gun Show and Shoot Straight stores

Permitless carry is now in effect, meaning Floridians can carry a concealed weapon without a permit.

Florida Gun Show and Shoot Straight stores general manager Robert Geisler had a busy Saturday at the at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

He says a lot more people are buying guns this time around, especially one particular group.

“Women,” he said. “We have a lot of women coming to buy guns. It’s our largest growing demographic by far. Ladies are loving these (9mm handguns). They’re light weight. They’re kinda high capacity. They hold 13 rounds.”

Andria Thomas is one of those women making another gun purchase.

“This one’s (handgun) for me,” she said. “It’s easy to handle. It’s not heavy No recoil and it can put somebody down.”

Thomas says she and her husband already own four other guns, but given the climate of violence she's seen lately she feels the need to upgrade.

“Things are really unsure now," she said. “Everybody seems on alert so need some protection the house. Nobody really wants to use them, but just in case.”

The gun show runs through Sunday.