By Joseph P. Tartaro | Executive Editor
By some estimates there are about 5,000 gun shows each year in the United States, some managed by non-profit gun collector organizations and some as privately-owned commercial events. They attract hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, men and women shopping for guns, ammunition, handloading equipment, books and all manner of gun and hunting accessories. A visit to a gun show is as much a social event for gun owners as it is a shopping expedition.
However, there are new reports that the future of gun shows in America may be at risk and an aura of uncertainly clouds the continued survival of gun shows because of uncertainty about the show promoters’ ability to buy liability insurance.
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — The Alabama Gun Collector Association Summer Gun Show is this weekend at the BJCC. The theme for this show is Western and vintage firearms. Show hours are Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The big topic at this show was the shortage of .380, 9 mm and .22 cal. long rifle ammo. AL.COM /Landov
No one can safely run a gun show or other public event without liability and other related insurance.
TGM has received a report that at least one commercial gun show promoter has been told that his company would not be able to renew normal insurance coverage for 2019 gun shows, which he manages in several southern and mid-western metropolitan areas. While he contacted TGM, he insisted on anonymity.
Previously he had been able to contract for coverage by major insurance firms.
When TGM contacted other commercial and non-profit show promoters to confirm his information, there was a uniform insistence on anonymity, but a confirmation that the ability to renew insurance for next year was uncertain as of mid-September as this issue of TGM goes to press.
At least one private show operator contacted by TMG blamed New York State Gov. Mario Cuomo’s regulatory initiative advising insurance and finance companies not to do business with the National Rifle Association (NRA) and other gun-related groups, as well as fines the state levied against insurance companies.
Others blamed big money anti-gunners such as Michael Bloomberg and George Soros. While nobody has come forward with confirming information regarding the billionaire influence, the evidence against the New York campaign is more believable.
The threat to the future of gun shows seems more likely to be rooted in the fines imposed earlier this year by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) against Lockton Cos. LLC of $7 million and Chubb Ltd. and its Illinois Union Insurance Company for $1.3 million for having “unlawfully provided liability insurance” to gunowners for alleged acts of “intentional wrongdoing.”
At about the same time, Maria Vullo, New York’s chief financial regulator, sent a warning letter to all insurance companies and financial institutions doing business with the state that they faced similar penalties if they don’t withhold services from the NRA.
This prompted the NRA to file suit in the Federal District Court for the Northern District of New York against Cuomo and Vullo for engaging in what the association claimed was a “blacklisting campaign” that violated both First Amendment and Second Amendment rights.
Now the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which has a different “collective right” interpretation of the Second Amendment, has filed an amicus brief in the suit supporting the NRA position regarding the regulatory actions of New York State as unconstitutional “blacklisting.”
Perhaps the future availability of insurance may hinge on the outcome of the NRA’s lawsuit, but a decision may be months away. Or perhaps another solution will surface. Either way, there are new concerns about the future gun shows as we know them.
Meanwhile, the anti-gun crowd will continue their campaign against gun shows because of the alleged “gun show loophole.”
Federally licensed gun dealers are allowed to sell firearms at gun shows and must conduct a federal background check. In addition, the District of Columbia and 17 states, including New York, require background checks for some or all private firearm sales.
