I have been blogging about background checks and gun shows for some time now. Before anyone gets itchy, I should add that I am not taking sides. I am engrossed in the machinations, the political and legal elements, and the overall dynamics concerning the viability of background checks for gun shows.
As gun shows are destinations where there is a quick point of sale, the dynamics of background checks is pretty interesting. Buyers at gun shows are buying in the moment and for a number of reasons do not want to wait for background clearance before taking home their purchase. Gun show vendors certainly don’t want to be bothered putting buyers through background checks as the buyer may become impatient and the vendor loses his sale.
Of course there are the legal rights issues, the public safety issues and the myriad other issues that have been argued long before I wrote this piece. In fact, I have written a number of blog articles, including one called Furor Over Gun Shows and Background Checks. Like I say, it’s an interesting subject and one inveighed with a good deal of controversy.
Minnesota decided recently not to move forward with its background checks for gun shows. According to an article in the Star Tribune, The House Crime Victims and Criminal Records Panel voted it down, 5-3. Obviously, this decision has added to the controversy. Those proponents for stricter gun control are pushing forward, arguing that while licensed gun vendors are mandated to conduct background checks on gun buyers, they are not doing so at the gun shows. Weapons advocates claim there is no evidence that guns bought at gun shows are responsible for any significant increase in crime.
One thing about this issues, it is not about to go away anytime soon.
