The gun shows will go on, but all sides have agreed on more safety precautions after the accidental shooting of a man at a Pennsylvania Gun Collectors Association show in May at the Pittsburgh ExpoMart in Monroeville.

Walter Gladkoski, 65, of Monroeville, was hospitalized May 14 with a wound of his lower leg.

State police said Gladkoski accidentally was shot by John Bogesdorfer, 64, of Monroeville, who was handling a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun at the booth of Hannah's Gun Shop of Tipton, Blair County. The weapon had been exhibited under glass and, as Bogesdorfer handled it, the pistol discharged, Samuel Kamin, an attorney representing the gun association, said yesterday.

No charges were filed.

After the shooting, Oxford Development Corp. and Mart/Hotel Limited Partnership, which operate ExpoMart, sought to void its lease with the gun association, which holds several shows a year at that venue.

Two years remain on the lease.

Kamin said average crowds of about 5,000, including dozens of law enforcement representatives, attend the shows.

The gun association and Oxford Development already were in court when the two sides reached an agreement in principle, said Kamin and Scott Bergstein, Oxford's vice president for operating businesses.

"We had an interest in both continuing a relationship with the gun show folks, but at the same time insuring the public safety," Bergstein said yesterday.

The tentative agreement means that the gun show Saturday and Sunday will go on.

Another show is scheduled for Sept. 24 and 25.

When Oxford tried to lock out the gun association after the shooting, the association sought an injunction.

The association has hosted shows in the area for 57 years.

Kamin characterized the accident as "an aberration."

Gun association officials said vendors and patrons are barred from having loaded weapons at shows. Guns are supposed to be secured with plastic ties to prevent firing, according to Kamin's court filing.

More than 700 tables are set up for each show for exhibits and information, Kamin said.

Bergstein said he expects the gun shows, which are held about every two months at ExpoMart, to continue for the foreseeable future.

But, he and Kamin said, more steps will be taken to ensure public safety.

"This is the first time they've had an accident," Kamin said.

"They don't do assault weapons. These are collectors. The Allegheny County sheriff and the Westmoreland County sheriff, the ATF [Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives], the [federal] gun task force are all there. Some have tables and some have informational setups."

Kamin said the gun association prefers holding shows at the suburban location for the convenience of patrons and vendors.

The agreement still must get approval of Common Pleas Judge Timothy P. O'Reilly.

Bergstein and Kamin declined to discuss the additional safety steps to be taken while the agreement is being finalized.

"We just want to insure that we minimize any risk to the public, and [the association is] very much on board with this as well. It's a cooperative effort to make it a safe venue," Bergstein said.