Gun Show Loophole – Fact or Fiction?
Earlier this month, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers called a special session of the state legislature to address the issue of gun control in Wisconsin. The sessions were some of the shortest on record for Wisconsin.
In speaking with my Wisconsin District 74 Representative earlier this week, we touched briefly on the reason for the calling of the special session. She mentioned one of the issues to be addressed is the “gun show loophole.”
Gun show loopholes can be added to the lexicon of mythical and imaginative phrases such as the check is in the mail and fake news. Those who don’t understand the Second Amendment are all too ready to throw up this topic as a critical issue for the need for gun control.
Unfortunately, these misguided individuals don’t understand the process responsible gun owners go through in order to purchase their guns. Their ignorance can be twofold. One, they have found a strawman topic that they are going to cling to for dear life. Second, they are simply too soft-minded or lazy to do their own due diligence as guns are bad.
Were any of these anti-gun zealots to walk through the door of a gun show in their local area they just might learn a few things. They would learn that the tables of guns for sale at the show, are all being sold by Federal Firearm Licensed dealers (FFL). These licensed dealers are the norm, regardless of where the sale of the firearm is taking place.
To purchase a firearm, in a gun show or at a local gun shop or maybe a pawn shop, you will need to fill out forms that require you to accurately and honestly identify yourself. (Something completely lacking in our national voting system, but I digress.) You are required to provide factual information regarding your criminal background and citizenship status. (OMG) Once the paperwork is completed the FFL will call the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to process your paperwork.
Looking at this process, if you’re in the business or engaged in the sale of guns of any sort, you need to be licensed. Therefore, the chances and opportunities for the dreaded “gun show loophole,” are rather slim.
The same general process goes for those who purchase their guns online. If there is an individual who is engaged in the sales of firearms, is not an FFL, doesn’t perform the NICS check, isn’t exposing a loophole. They are committing a federal crime.
Please educate yourself before you fall into the ongoing trap and continued fake news about the gun show loophole.