[jimkress]

I realize that the facts in this article will not affect the perceptions and 'feelings' of those who hate guns and gun owners. However, I present it here for those of you who are ruled by reason as opposed to hormones/ emotions.

[stainlessbanner]

Yet HCI claims that "25-50 percent of the vendors at most gun shows are unlicensed dealers." That statistic is true only if one counts vendors who aren't selling guns (e.g., vendors who are selling books, clothing or accessories) as "unlicensed dealers."

Good article. Good stats!

[dhuffman@awod.com]

I can only hope that this gets dissemination as wide as do Sarah Brady's dribble and droppings. Her Bunch needs to learn to hold their water until they turn blue. When my daughter was being petulant that was my solution and correction; "Fine. Hold your breath."

The conspiracy of ignorance masquerades as common sense.

[glock rocks]

click

[glc1173@aol.com]

""Close the gun show loophole," demands Handgun Control, Inc. The major obstacle to Congress's complying with HCI's wishes appears to be the desire of many Democrats to preserve gun shows as a campaign issue in the 2000 election." (Cato Institute)

No - it's the fact that many Democreep incumbents are from Red Nation and want to be reelected!

Even the Washington ComPost said it after we won the House gun vote last time; the split was regional - rather than partisan. It also attributed Algore's loss to the gun issue - and openly said that Red Nation Democreep incumbents now want nothing to do with it as a result.

Scandals of antigun politicians - from coast to coast

[Robert357]

First of all, I think that the "close the gunshow loophole" is an anti-gun smoke screen to allow a potentially popular legislative vehicle from which they can hang a few additional restrictions on firearm ownership.

I belong to a large Gun Collectors Club and regularly go to its shows. I belong to the NRA and a local Gun Club (or Range)and I attend the Gun Club's swap meets. I check the want adds to see if anyone is selling any interesting firearms. I like to own and shoot various kinds of firearms.

The Gun Collectors Association I belong to, is trying to "de-fang" some of the "Gun Show Loop Hole" lies. The Washington Arms Collectors (WAC) has had a long term policy that only firearms can be sold at one of its shows by members to members. This was likely done originally to promote membership. To sign up as a member one use to have to make a declaration in writing and being on file that one was not a convicted felon, not dishonorable discharged from the military, etc. Now the club has added a new requirement. The Washingotn State Patrol has a computer accessable screening that allows a member of the public with a pre-approved account to check to see if someone has a criminal record. Our club does that screening of applicants for membership.

Personally, I have purchased more holsters, ammo, outdoor clothes, and firearms related books at gun shows than I have purchased firearms. I would hate to see gunshows outlawed, which I believe is the intent of those trying to "close the gun show loop hole." I believe that it would be imposible to prevent private sales of firearms between neighbors or friends with any type of legislation. I dislike it that many newspapers refuse to run classified ads for the sale of firearms or handguns. Having said that, I also think that the approach that the WAC has taken does a lot toward removing the arguments that the critics of Gun Shows have. I would hope that other gun show sponsors try to find ways of dealing with the anti-gun groups in a way that does not restrict the freedom of the public. The WAC is a voluntary association that puts on one to two gun shows a month for the benefit of its members, but allows the public to attend if they follow the rules of the association. Even the NRA has rules about who can be a member of that assoication.

I have often heard that pornographers should voluntarily do something to keep their products out of the hands of minors; that movie and TV production companies show warn potenial viewers about shows that contain excessive violence or nudity. Likewise, I feel that Gun Clubs and Collectors Associations, should do something to warn the faint of heart that a gun show may contain things that they don't want to see and that such gun organizations should make some attempt to keep firearms out of the hands of people that should not own them. I think that honest people should be smart enough to figure out ways of doing business in a way that doesn't require new federal laws and new federal paperwork.

[backhoe]

Thanks for posting... Kopel is a good researcher and writer.

We owe it to ourselves to disseminate this story far & wide across the 'net:

Communicate! Let the Sons of....

[Askel5]

existing gun laws apply just as much to gun shows as they do to any other place

I survived my instant check last week ... =)

[tubebender]

I am a causal gunner and I have a question for my fellow Calif owners. When I take my Grand Son to the local gun show they always have a licensed dealer near the door doing transfers. My understanding is that Calif requires all sales there to "by the book". Can anyone clear this up for me?