The Business of Guns

Text-Dependent Questions

1. What were President Bill Clinton’s main concerns regarding gun show sales? 2. Why are federally licensed firearm dealers at gun shows not necessarily more reliable than private sellers in performing background checks? 3. What is the only type of gun transaction that results in more arms diverted to illegal trafficking operations than gun show transactions?

Research Projects

1. Research the most recent gun show held near where you live. (A local newspaper archive may be helpful for searching for advertisements as well as coverage of the event.) What group supported the show? Did the show feature any special vendors or sales or notable attractions? 2. Research the largest flea market, swap meet, or other open-air market in your state, and write a report on your findings. How many people attended in the last year? What data are available for the amount of products bought, sold, or exchanged? Include any information about firearms or ammunition sold, if available; if not, speculate on the amount of the total sales involving guns. 3. Research any state’s gun show loophole law, and write a report on its passage. When was the law first introduced, and when was it first passed? What restrictions does it put on sales at gun shows, and, in your opinion, does it do enough to prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands?

Chapter 3: Gun Shows

57