VIDEO: Flea Market Holiday Shopping

TUPELO, Miss.(WCBI) – Not everyone was looking for Christmas bargains at the mall this weekend.

A singing Santa Claus greeted visitors to this weekend’s flea market at the Tupelo Furniture Market. November and December are traditionally the biggest months for the flea market during the year. And this year’s cold weather reminded visitors to donate to the 4th annual Coats for Kids drive.

“A lot of people they’re just now getting their coats out and they’re hey this too little so they’re bringing them up here. It’s with WCBI and we’re trying to get everybody to bring coats for the needy. We have a lot of people who come just to do that and then they’ll come through the market. We have a lot going on this weekend. The coats go the Salvation Army and then they give them to who they think needs them the most. ‘And how much of a demand is there?’ A whole lot. We do have people who just call and randomly asking if we have things like that so we like to have some always on hand,”said Flea Market manager Melissa Kelly.

There were plenty of things to win at this month’s flea market including this gun safe, which coincided with the gun and knife show in another building.
It is not surprising that the gun and knife show portion of the flea market was very well attended because hunting is almost integral part of the Mississippi culture. The Second Amendment is very well respected here.

“I probably started shooting when I was five years old. and all my life I’ve either hunted or shot for sports or whatever, but it’s a culture,”said licensed gun dealer Randal Hancock.

Randall Hancock of Ripley was one of the licensed gun dealers at the show. He encourages citizens to give the gift of the Second Amendment.

“The Second Amendment is one of the best amendments to the constitution. It’s the only thing that let’s us be as free as we are today,”said Hancock.

He has some recommendations for first time gun purchases.

“Probably a 22 rifle of some kind more than likely a single shot until they get started and learn. It’s according to the kid and how old they are and different things. I’ve got a lot of people coming into my store and buy small 22 revolvers first whatever the person likes what they’re going to do with it has got a lot to do with it but most time I started both my daughters off when they were young on a 22-bolt action rifle,”said Hancock.

Hancock says purchasing vintage guns is a great investment.

“Vintage guns for collectors are great. I’ve collected old Winchesters and Colts since I was probably 12-years old. They’re a good investment. As a matter of fact about any gun’s a good investment because the last 10 years the price of guns have probably gone up 40-percent of what they were before so put money in the bank you can’t 40 percent off your money but in guns I always have. I’ve done really well them over the years,”said Hancock.

Hancock says there are some of his guns he just won’t part with.