Comments on: Virginians love guns and booze

By: Sandi Saunders

Sandi Saunders — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 03:22:21 +0000

“Under the terms of the Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986, however, individuals “not engaged in the business” of dealing firearms, or who only make “occasional” sales within their state of residence, are under no requirement to conduct background checks on purchasers or maintain records of sale (although even private sellers are forbidden under federal law from selling firearms to persons they have reason to believe are felons or otherwise prohibited from purchasing firearms).” THIS is referred to as “the gun show loophole” because the law itself created the caveat that allows the untraceable sale of guns to no background check people as long as you are not a firearm dealer.

When laws create “a means of escape; especially: an ambiguity or omission in the text through which the intent of a statute, contract, or obligation may be evaded” it is referred to as a “loophole”. The Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986 should have made ALL sales at gun shows or anywhere else subject to background checks, and it did not. It is much like the myriad tax laws that allow stuff they did not think through to circumvent the purpose. Those are referred to as “loopholes” too.

You may argue it is “a lie originated and perpetuated by the Left and gun-grabbers” but the truth is that people thought the law made sales at gun shows subject to background checks and it does not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_shows_in_the_United_States

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loophole

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 01:12:42 +0000

#6 – “I have heard the term used and understood it to mean no background checks at gun shows.”

And that is the liberal lie.

A dealer selling a gun at at gunshow must follow the same laws that apply as if he were selling somewhere else.

A private seller my sell face-to-face without a background check no matter what the location of the sale.

The “gunshow loophole” is a lie originated and perpetuated by the Left and gun-grabbers. There simply is no such thing.

By: Eric Andrew

Eric Andrew — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 20:15:40 +0000

Mike, Scott: You piqued my interest. I have heard the term used and understood it to mean no background checks at gun shows. After reading more, I see that it much broader than that. I ask this as a someone who generally opposes gun restrictions on type number and waiting time for some context. What is the opposition to universal background checks? If a convicted felon/wifebeater/mantally unbalanced person can simply evade the check by going to an in-state gun show with an in-state seller, isn’t it like locking your front door bu leaving your back door wide open when you go on vacation?
If a gun is simply a commodity, which it is, then restricting it from certain people, necessitates some form of regulation. I, as a law abiding citizen should be able to have as many and whatever type of gun that I want, but should also be responsible if it is misused. I must keep it reasonably safe from theft or misuse. I should be responsible if I pass it to someone who should not have it. Other than that, I should be able to have a full or semi auto whatever with a yard long clip to defend myself and my home or just go target shooting if I want.

By: 89Hoo

89Hoo — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 20:13:26 +0000

I think the gun show loophole phrase is an all-inclusive term to include such situations as when someone inherits his parents’ weapons, and is not restricted to gun shows.

By: Eric Andrew

Eric Andrew — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 20:01:04 +0000

How many readers are saying, “Venn what??” Well said RT.

By: Scott M.

Scott M. — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:07:12 +0000

Michael, I think you’re dancing around definitions. It’s like when someone say Pro-Choice vs. Pro-Life. We all know what it means.

By: George Krutz, III

George Krutz, III — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 14:43:23 +0000

Virginians love sex and drugs.
Virginians love air and water.

Statistically, I would verify both statements.

Big deal.

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 14:14:31 +0000

I see the RT is continuing to perpetuate the myth of there being a “gunshow loophole”.

There is no such thing as a “gunshow loophole”.