[misanthrope]

Well, the fact of the matter is that the VAST majority of firearms bought at any gun show are sold by federally licensed firearms dealers (AKA "FFL"). Every single one of those transactions involves a NICS background check.

Only private transactions between individuals involving (probably) a single firearm owned by the seller are exempt from the NICS requirement. These sales represent a tiny minority of transactions at a gun show.

[Lumper20]

I have not been to a gun show since 1991, but; it was as you stated. A full check was run on anyone who bought from any dealer with a booth/setup. We had background checks that took up to 15 days then.I would not buy a weapon unless it was a long time friend or a FFL dealer.