Posted on 07/09/2007 5:35:42 AM PDT by marktwain
Let's be clear about gun shows: There is nothing that can be done at a gun show that cannot be done legally outside of a gun show.
The terms "gun show loophole" and "unlicensed gun dealer" are fabricated to mislead the public into thinking that gun shows permit gun sales that would be forbidden anywhere else. The intent of this scheme is to villainize gun shows, making the public more receptive to additional restrictions.
This is just the first step in a "private gun-sale registration" scheme.
Gun banners know they must take small steps, placing more and more hurdles to gun ownership so that fewer law abiding citizens will go to the trouble of purchasing a firearm.
None of the hurdles would affect criminals. According to a 2001 U.S. Department of Justice report, only 0.7% of criminals got their guns from shows.
A gun purchased from a dealer at a gun show requires the same background check as a gun purchased at the dealer's store. No loophole.
In most states, a gun purchased from a person's private collection requires no background check, whether purchased at a gun show or at someone's home. Again, no loophole.
A gun is like any other private property: It's yours to sell whenever you wish.
Of course, gun banners would call you an "unlicensed gun dealer."
Hogwash. Does selling your personal car make you an "unlicensed car dealer?"
Gun banners want to force dealers to do background checks on private sales. That would put a heavy burden on dealers who must keep the paperwork for decades and delay their own sales while running those checks. That would drive up the cost of buying a gun, creating another hurdle for the prospective law abiding purchaser.
Of course, closing the imaginary "gun show loophole" is only the first step. Gun banners will then say that since private sales are not allowed at gun shows, the "home gun-sale loophole" must be closed.
Ultimately, complete gun registration is the goal. Where there is registration, there is confiscation, as gun owners in California, Illinois, New York and Washington, D.C., learned when authorities confiscated guns that were banned after the owner had bought and registered them.
We can expect an intellectual response from the Left comprised of little more than “Is too a loophole! Is too, is too!!!”
True.
Another reason is that you won't see a Clinton/Gore/Kerry bumper sticker at a gun show.
Remember that John McCain tried to close said “Gun Show Loophole” a few years ago.
We have this in CA where all sales including private person to person and gunshow sales must go thru a dealer witha ten day wait.
Phil is the President and founding member of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, and a high-energy activist for gun rights in Ye Olde Dominion. Great guy.
TC
At an out-of-pocket cost per gun of about $50 charged to the purchaser, for background check and paperwork. This doesn't count the purchaser's time, trouble, or transportation expenses.
All of this money is completely WASTED since there is no evidence than any such gun laws have a beneficial effect on crime rates.
Every day I hope for the coming collapse of Kalifornia's government. Only when school teachers and other public employees realize that there is no money for their pay, will they consider the effects of suspending the costly infringements of my right to keep and bear arms. When that time comes, I will let them eat cake.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
“That’s strike X against John McCain. He’s hostile to the Second as well as to the First Amendment. He is NO champion of freedom!”
Which is why we tried to recall him in Arizona. Unfortunately, 9-11 interfered.
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