http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B02E2DB1F3DF936A35753C1A9669C8B63&scp=1&sq=John+McCain+and+gun+control&st=nyt
Gun control is an issue that has long been debated over by many people and politics. This article talks about how people who are for gun control have recently become excited over the new commercial John McCain has produced about this issue. In the commercial, John McCain proposes that people who buy guns at gun shows should undergo a background check. He continues to say that because of this loophole, criminals have been able to easily purchase weapons. Research has shown that these weapons that were bought so easily have been utilized in numerous crimes. This commercial has been played in states such as Colorado and Oregon, where this idea needs to be stressed more to the public. Unprecedented laws and uncompromising enforcement of existing laws needs to be accomplished. McCain believes that people do have the right to own weapons “but with rights comes responsibility.” McCain’s belief has been influenced like many, from the incident that occurred at Columbine. One of the weapons used in this tragedy was bought at a gun show.
I believe that it is absolutely necessary to have background checks at gun shows to ensure the future safety of our country. It surprised me to learn that there currently are no regulations existing at gun shows. McCain obviously is concerned about this issue. He has proven this through his many speeches and his involvement with the National Rifle Association. Doing background checks would help decrease naturally the amount of deadly shootings such as the incident as Columbine. With more criteria to meet it would be much more of a struggle to purchase a weapon. Employers need to know what the customer’s true intentions are in buying a weapon. I agree with McCain when he claimed, “I believe law-abiding citizens have the right to own guns. But with rights comes responsibility.” I think that everyone does have a right to defend themselves but we need to formulate a criterion that needs to be met when purchasing guns to help decrease the number of unnecessary deaths.
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The same rules apply at gun shows as elsewhere. If you are "engaged in the business of dealing in firearms," you must have a federal license and run a background check. If you are just disposing or swapping a few items from your personal collection, you don't. It's the same rule everywhere, gun show or not. A gun show is not an exemption or loophole in the rules.
Next question: might a gun show be special in some way, an event of unusual use to criminals that justifies special treatment?
The Bureau of Justice Statistics has twice polled upwards of 10,000 prison inmates, asked if they had been armed prior to arrest, and where they got their guns if they were.
Both studies came back with findings that under 1% of criminals who were armed had gotten a firearm at a gun show. (Understand that that under 1% probably included some who became first time offenders, and thus would have been able to buy with a background check anyway.
Gun shows attract gun enthusiasts, many of whom are cops. A street criminal deals with a fence of stolen property, not with exhibitors at gun shows.
So even if one assumes that gun laws in general work, there would be little reason to worry about gun shows. It's a nonproblem.
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