I asked Glen Caroline, who is NRA-ILA's grassroots director, about the First Amendment side of gun shows. "Recent legislation that would end gun shows as we know them would gravely impact the lawful transfer of firearms themselves, and would also end the transfer of information and political dialogue that is crucial to our grassroots efforts in communicating with our members and lawful firearm owners," he told me. "This kind of legislation is not only an affront to the Second Amendment, but would also have dire consequences for the First Amendment rights of gun owners."

At gun shows I've met county sheriffs, state senators, state representatives and even a serving U.S. congressman or two. As many shows as I've attended, I can't recall not seeing police cars in the parking lots or uniformed officers in the aisles. At the shows I attend, it's not uncommon to see BATFE agents standing in the aisles talking to officers in uniform, retired FBI agents or dealers. Hardly the company career criminals want to keep.

Who's Behind The Table?
At shows, you'll find guns on the tables of Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) and private individuals. Before 1986, most with guns at their tables at shows were collectors, selling a few items from their personal collections, as FFLs were prohibited from conducting business at shows. The 1986 McClure-Volkmer Firearms Owner Protection Act allowed FFLs to conduct business at other locations, and FFLs started attending shows – the vast majority of tables with guns on them at major shows are run by FFLs – all following the same laws by which they abide at their licensed places of business.

You do not need an FFL to sell polished rocks, army boots or surplus underwear at a gun show. At some shows, fully half of the dealers have no firearms at all on their tables. Books, scopes, knives and accessories are items not under the purview of the Gun Control Act of 1968.

Steve Clark, the proprietor of Beaver Creek Arms, which specializes in vintage firearms and military souvenirs, came from his home in Dillsburg, Pa., to exhibit at the Chantilly show for the first time. Clark began his career in firearms as a hobbyist and now relies on it for a full-time living. "I spent 32 years in industry," said Clark, a kindly, middle-aged man, then added, referring to the recent tough financial times on Wall Street, "We lost a lot of our investments." Of his new career, he said, "It's an investment venue. When I look at my 401(G)," he says with a grin, hoping that the listener understands that the "G" stands for gun, "it looks pretty good."

But guns aren't all that's for sale at gun shows. Also at Chantilly, Jeni Benos, a vendor from Pearisburg, Va., has banked on her warm personality and talents as a jewelry maker to establish a spot for herself during the past few years. Designs in her Jenuinely Jeni line include Pistol Petals, floral-themed pendants she hand crafts by peeling back and polishing the brass cases of spent handgun cartridges.

"They make a great statement about the Second Amendment," she said with obvious pride and enthusiasm.

What "Loophole"?
Anti-gunners call private individuals who sell a few guns from their personal collections – their personal property – the so-called "gun show loophole." What some refer to as a "loophole" is actually federal law.

Consider this. There is nothing anyone can think of that involves criminals and guns that isn't already covered under federal law – and that includes anything a criminal might do at gun show. Anything.

Whether it's at a gun show or anywhere else, acquisition of any firearm by a prohibited person under 18 U.S.C. 922(g) is a crime. Any felon who attends a gun show and touches a gun – or ammunition – is in violation of federal law with a 10-year criminal penalty as a start.

The same goes for fugitives from justice, drug addicts, adjudicated lunatics and domestic abusers. Interstate transportation, transfer of a firearm or ammunition by anyone in those prohibited categories, are felonies.

Continue Reading....

Go to Page One