Closing the Gun Show Loophole: Keeping Guns Safe from Children and Out of the Hands of Criminals

One of the top gun issues you hear about in today's media is the "Gun Show Loophole". Just about everyone involved in the fight against gun violence realizes the importance of keeping firearms safe from our children and out of the hands of prohibited purchasers.

Shortly after the horrific school shooting at Columbine High School it was realized that some of the weapons used by the suspects were obtained at gun shows. The shooters were able to have a friend go to a gun show and purchase the Tech-9 Assault Pistols from a private individual. No background check was required and the seller maintained no record of sale.

The young female suspect who purchased the weapons for Dylan and Kliebold told the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department investigators that if she would have had to do as little as show a drivers license, she would have never purchased the weapons.

In communities all across America individuals purchase thousands of guns each weekend at gun shows. Many of the sales are completed without background checks, record of sale or other documentation. Just as young people are able to purchase alcoholic beverages, they also attend gun shows and can easily acquire handguns, assault weapons and long guns.

Law Enforcement officials agree that the only way to ensure firearms are not sold to under aged purchasers or convicted criminals is to require background checks and records of sale at gun shows. Overwhelming law enforcement officials have supported closing the gun show loopholes in recent public elections in Colorado and Oregon. Today law enforcement supports closing the loophole on a national level.

To learn more about closing the Gun Show Loophole contact the Law Enforcement Relations Staff at (202) 289-7319.