COSTA MESA (CBSLA.com) — A record turnout is expected at The Crossroads of the West gun show in Costa Mesa this weekend.

Based on ticket sales, KNX 1070’s Ed Mertz says a crowd of more than 20,000 people is expected.

Many attendees told Mertz on Saturday that they decided to arrive early.

“‘Cause I knew the crowd was gonna be crazy. I went to the Ontario show a couple weeks ago and it was nuts,” one man said.

Another told Mertz he purchased ammunition for his Communist-style assault rifle.

“I bought 1000 rounds of SKS, 500 rounds of .45′s,” he said. “I was target practicing but because of what’s going on in our government right now, I think it’s only fair that people start stocking up.”

The event marked the second local gun show since a shooting rampage that claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults in Newtown, Connecticut.

Earlier this month, an estimated 18,000 people attended a similar show in Ontario.

Mertz reported that attendance at the Crossroads of the West gun shows has skyrocketed.

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