Guns galore Sportsmen's Show at Tri Expo a great fit for Lebanon

Dan Freitas of Lebanon gets fitted with an ankle holster by vendor Chuck Limanni at Saturday's Sportsmen's Show at Tri City Expo. (The Lebanon Voice photos)

SOUTH LEBANON - Dan and June Freitas of Lebanon love the great outdoors, but they like to feels safe when they're walking in the woods whether it's here in southern Maine or up in the northern reaches of the Pine Tree State.

So they carry handguns, both of them.

"You never know especially up north when you're going to meet a bear," Dan said.

"Or some bad people," June added. "I mean we go deep into the woods when we're hiking or ATVing."

But both of them agreed it was disconcerting when they'd come upon other families hiking and they'd hear the worried comments from youngsters talking to their mom or dad.

"We'd here some kid say, 'Daddy, that man has a gun,'" June Freitas said. "We don't want to scare anyone; we just want to feel safe."

The Freitases found an answer to their problem on Saturday during the first day of the Sportsmen's Show at the Tri State Expo in South Lebanon, where Chuck Limanni of Lebanon was selling next generation ankle holsters.

The ankle holsters are made by DCCH, which also manufactures deep concealment chest holsters.

"I'm definitely buying one," Dan Freitas said.

Chuck Limanni shows how the holster he's wearing shows no telltale signs he's carrying ...

Limanni, who sells the deep concealment chest holsters as well, showed how they mask any telltale bulges, keep the moisture away from your skin and actually provide a therapeutic effect on your back for those who carry.

"You don't feel the weight," said Limanni, who added the holsters work on either side of chest or for a woman, can be placed just under her bra on either side.

Interestingly, the chest holsters are actually made from a material used in bras that breaks down into an ultra-comfortable fit over time and washes.

"It's worn against the skin, takes body heat and weight off," he said. "It actually supports your back if you're ATVing, hiking or bicycling."

To help alleviate back pain from gun wearing, two holsters are suggested, one on each side, where you can carry extra ammo or gun, or a passport and wallet.

"That's great if you're in worried about pickpockets or out of country," Limanni said, who added the holsters have no latex or cotton and are hypoallergenic.

...A 50 caliber Desert Eagle semi-automatic handun.

Limanni's table was one of scores of vendors who packed the Tri State Expo with vintage and collectible guns and knives, ammunition and several crafters tables, including one making custom leather belts and another selling homemade salsa, beef jerky and smoked cheese.

Organizer Carey Halkiotis said he expected folks from all over New England to attend the show. By noon on Saturday several hundred had already showed up, with more expected today when the Sportsmen's reopens from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Halkiotis said the newest wrinkle in the gun buying market was the influx of women buying handguns for self defense.

"Then you add the terrorist attacks in this country and all over the world and you see why," he said.