Thursday, January 10, 2013

Closing the Gun Show Loophole in Virginia

Local news reports
It’s a loophole in the law that should have been closed years ago. Virginia lawmakers will get another chance to make the state safer by closing the loophole and requiring the background check for buyers from private sellers. State Sen. Janet D. Howell, D-Fairfax, has said she will introduce such a bill in the Assembly session that begins today.

Why is closing the loophole even important? Because the gun shows provide access to weapons for convicted felons and those with a history of mental illness. Further, the gun show loophole makes a mockery of the background check law that prohibits the sale of guns by licensed dealers to people who should not be buying guns.

The Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, a national legal nonprofit that compiles information on gun laws and advocates for “smart gun laws,” has given Virginia regulations a “D.”
While everybody is focused on Feinstein's Assault Weapons Ban, many states are enacting sensible gun laws like this one.

What's your opinion?  Please leave a comment.

9 comments:

  1. They know to strike while the iron is hot. Once again in California they are trying to close the last remaining "gun show loophole" (the loophole that allows it to exist). Looks like they'll have to wait till the next tragedy though.

    http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jan/08/gun-show-fate-debated-at-fairgrounds-meeting/

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    1. As you know the "loophole" refers to sales without a background check. CA has that. This goes way beyond normal gun control requirements and has to do with people's sensitivities. Do gun shows glorify the gun culture of violence or are they just gatherings of lawful and responsible Americans. Many people believe the former.

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    2. Rights aren't subject to what people believe about them. People's beliefs may cause infringement of rights, but that's what our Constitution is for.

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    3. What do you believe, mike? Do you think it is wrong of them to try and close down the Del Mar or Cow Palace gun shows? Or are the "glorifying violence" by showing guns?

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    4. I'm not sure. I suppose if all the other gun control restrictions are in force, gun shows should be allowed.

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    5. Another thought on that, like hunting, guns shows are sick but I wouldn't really want to outlaw them.

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  2. Mikeb, this is an editorial, not a news article. It's unlikely that Virginia will pass this rubbish. Your side may get gains in California, Illinois, and New York, but you already have those states. Don't expect to see anything happen in the good states.

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    1. I agree. But if they did pass it, what would be the result? Private sellers would stand out in the parking lot to sell their guns. As they are not in the venue, they would not be covered by the law and could sell their guns at their leisure. So I guess the NEXT law would cover the parking lot too? And what would the one after THAT cover?

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    2. Jim, I don't think it's limited to the gun shows.

      "requiring the background check for buyers from private sellers"

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