The Business of Guns

Today, the gun show loophole remains just as active as gun shows themselves, with no federal regulations for private sellers. The dialogue about gun shows has shifted from targeting illegal sales at shows specifically to expanding universal background checks generally. Kopel, the former NRA attorney, believes these negotiation shifts have been responsible for gridlock, rather than opposition to background checks themselves. Kopel further believes that many gun freedom politicians fear the creation of a national gun and/or gun owner registry, which could facilitate seizures of firearms. What’s more, studies reveal that implementation of background checks may have limited results. A study by Everytown for Gun Safety (EGS), a gun control advocacy group, found that 80 percent of gun vendors in states with mandatory background check laws stated that they would require a background check before selling a gun, but just 6 percent of vendors from states without such laws said they would require a background check. “Criminals know,” the study concluded, “the place to go get armed with no questions asked.” One further issue is the ability to trace guns sold secondhand. Once a firearm leaves the hands of a federally licensed dealer, there is no requirement for a private owner to maintain the gun’s record. This makes guns sold at gun shows untraceable, since the “trail” for law enforcement will end at the moment the gun changes hands. The Economics of Gun Shows: There’s Money to Be Made At the annual Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show), tens of thousands of firearm industry vendors, manufacturers, salespersons, and journalists convene to view the newest and most advanced guns available for public purchase. One of the top 25 trade shows in the United States, and one of the largest trade shows not open to the general public, the SHOT

Chapter 3: Gun Shows

49