By Philip L. Watson
Gun Shows are constantly under attack by anti-Second Amendment activists.
Since the recent movie theater shooting in Colorado the debate has been reignited in the media about gun shows even though gun shows or guns purchased there had nothing to do with the shooting. Rarely challenged in the press, gun banners have dubbed all person-to-person firearm transactions as the “gun show loophole.” Red herring public relations campaign as it is, this particular pro-Second Amendment activist can’t help but resist debunking some of the talking points and traditional misinformation used by anti-gunners to rail against the so called “gun show loophole.”
Let us first examine why anti-gunners hate gun shows in particular and are desperate to bring it up as much as possible. Only in understanding the true goals behind the public relations campaign against gun shows can we debunk their “loophole theory.”
Neal Knox wrote a great chapter about gun shows in his book The Gun Rights War.
“The constant drumbeat against gun shows from the anti-gun forces stems from two sources. First, of course, is the fact that there are guns at a gun show, and they change hands. That’s enough to set off any anti-gun zealot. But a deeper issue lies beneath the surface. Anti-gun activists often have come up through the ranks of union or environmental activism. They recognize a grassroots organizing opportunity when they see one.”
The fact that thousands of gun owners from a mixed background such as cops and construction workers, to corporate executives meet at gun shows every weekend throughout the United States truly drives the gun ban crowd through the roof. Never mind that most of the goods bought and exchanged at gun shows are actually goods like outdoor gear and ammunition, the true motivation of the gun banners is to actually to crush the pro-gun movement.
Knox continues,
“They are a way for gun organizations, or simply a concerned gun owner, to quickly and cheaply communicate with thousands of other gun owners, to distribute literature, get signatures on petitions or letters to lawmakers, or to spread the word to vote for or against some politician.”
This truly strikes at the heart of why they really hate gun shows. Needless to say, gun shows have also been a successful way for pro-Second Amendment groups to raise money.
Now knowing the true reason gun shows are hated amongst the gun-ban crowd, we can address the so called “gun show loophole.”
Private transfers should be protected as a cornerstone of freedom. Let’s say your significant other, family member, or roommate has been threatened by someone and you must leave for a business trip or work after deciding to leave your firearm in their possession for protection. The gun ban crowd would like nothing more than to throw you and them in jail for an unreported transfer or no background check. Never mind any circumstances of the immediate need for a means of self-defense or the actual character of the person in possession of your gun.
Consulting Mr. Knox again,
“All those gun show sales and swaps are highly visible while private transfers aren’t—and gun shows are public assemblies, which have always been the source of the people power that disturbs all establishments (which is why “freedom of assembly” is in the First Amendment).
If only dealers could sell handguns (and eventually all guns) at gun shows, they would become trade shows without the bargain basement appeal that brings out those thousands of potential buyers—and all that political muscle.”
And there you have it. Their true motivation is revealed. Anger with the “gun show loophole” is actually desperation to do away with the Second Amendment, in more ways than one, while also infringing your First Amendment rights, and your private property rights.
