Should Background Checks Also Be Required at All Gun Shows?

With another gun show scheduled soon in Gwinnett County, it's time to note a significant feature of such events. Background checks apparently are not required in Georgia and several other states, according to available information.

Large numbers of people flocked to the Gwinnett fairgrounds last weekend for a gun show. The current national discussion of gun control and safety (due to the December shooting in Newtown, Connecticut) was obviously a reason.

However, it also appears to be easier to purchase a firearm in Georgia and other states at a gun show than through a traditional retailer. This is due to the so-called "gun show loophole."

According to wikipedia.org:

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).

Yes, that would even extend to someone selling a firearm at their private residence, not just a gun show, as gun rights advocates point out.

This situation is what President Obama was targeting when he recently came out with several gun-control proposals. The "universal background checks" would eliminate the so-called loophole, according to cnn.com.

And the situation will arise again soon in Gwinnett. A gun show is scheduled at the North Atlanta Trade Center in Norcross on Febuary 16-17, according to a website.

Also, the attached map/graphic shows that most states are like Georgia -- they do not require background checks at gun shows.--

Should the "gun show loophole" be closed? What are your thoughts on gun rights? Share your thoughts in the comments below.