Eliminating the gun show loophole

[Landric]

I think we need to close the "Airsoft and Sham-wow loophole" at gun shows in North Carolina. They can keep the beef jerky, I love beef jerky.

 

[mortablunt]

That "loophole" is no different than just private transfers between folks who don't trade guns for a living.

 

[jon_in_wv]

I don't know why you would go to a gun show as an exhibitor and not sell guns, I have always thought of them as a swap meet for firearms enthusiasts. I think historically the storefront dealer stayed away but now in CO at least some dealers make a good percentage of their yearly income from background checks and since the checks are required they have taken to the shows in increasing numbers.

I think you are missing my point a little. I liken it to a person opening a "firearms museum" next door to a licensed gun store. He buys and sells guns just like the dealer but he doesn't have to obey any of the laws the dealer does because he says the weapons he sells are from his "private collection". I have NO issue with a person going to a gun show with his private weapons for private sales or trade but when you get a table for the commercial purpose of selling firearms there seems a line should be drawn somewhere. If I bought and sold more than a few cars I would have to get a dealers license. I think the same could be enforced when it comes to firearms. I honestly don't have a problem with state laws that require a background check for private sales at a gun show because it is a commercial enterprise. You don't get in for free. I do, however, disagree with the same requirement for private sales on your own time.

 

[GEM]

Originally, anti folks pretended that all sales at shows were without NICS or whatever was used the locality. They switched to the private sales being a loophole and the gun show being an attractive nuisance as it made private sales easier. That was the case in Austin to move gun shows out of one locale.

When there was big line at a show with guys waiting to have guns checked and looped, some folks would move up the line and ask to buy the guns for cash, no questions asked. That was a touch problematic for the show owners.

 

[X-Rap]

I'm not missing your point at all, gun shows were historically a venue in which private or licensed gun enthusiast would congregate to buy sell and trade, some did it as their sole means but most did it as a hobby, many of the hobbyists back then were FFL dealers but that has changed over the years and now it isn't uncommon to see vendors display their old FFL cert with VOID written across in protest.
I will say the Clinton era is when this began to change with the ATF enacting more stringent rules on FFL holders and it has gotten to the point now that there is many more full time FFL's doing gun shows and their motive is mostly business and I can see the guys doing it to improve their collection or just enjoying the comradery might ruffle some of the FFL guys feathers.
Just remember that these non FFL exibitors don't get to buy wholesale and they can't charge the $10 fee for the background check so it isn't like they have this huge advantage over the FFL dealer.

 

[zoom6zoom]

This is one of those terms created by the opposition that we really have to stop using.

 

[jon_in_wv]

Amen. I stated the same earilier. It is just like "assault rifle".