Jesus, you people are stuck on the "Gun Shows" thing, that's for sure. Gun shows have been the target of the left and their propaganda via nonstop media coverage for so long now low information, nonattending gun haters think the devil himself has a Mass Shooter booth set up at each one handing out guns for free with pamphlets on how to terrorize their local school or town, and how to hate the government, with free Tannerite for the kiddies. Well in the past now. There was a time many moons ago when naferious buyers where able to pick up a gun at a gun show with little trouble or some form of background check, many moons ago. It's not exactly the place to go and try to illegally buy a firearm these days. There are checks and are legitimately run, these are not one tooth camo clad nut job sellers handing just anybody a full auto SAW saying "This will shoot up dem commi bastards reeeeal good, and I'll meet ya out back with a truck load of grenades and explosive ammo". Do you know how many under cover cops troll these things, whom also pose as buyers from any suspicious seller? I live in the south and it's not even like that. You do have some gung ho types there, but that's really no different then the really into it gung ho people at other shows. Ever seen the people at the craft shows, lol? Now for the brain dead sheeple I'm not comparing weapons to crafts mearlly the enthusiasm some have for a hobby they really enjoy.
The nonstop propaganda the antigun groups have flooded the media outlets with for so long now has imbedded the nonknowing minds with at the mere mention of the term "Gun Show", instant mental images of government hating hillbilly, Nam Vet dressed, scarey crazy people selling automatic weapons to anybody and everybody. You tell someone something no matter if it's the truth or not over and over and over and eventually they believe what they hear without further thought.
Gun show loopholes are a term made up by the antigun groups from a time in the past because it makes people think anyone can skirt the law there and easily. If you break down the factual numbers out there the majority of guns in illegal hands come from the black market of stolen guns. There are however a few that make it into illegal hands by straw purchasers at these shows (who buy them legally there passing a background check just like they could at a gun shop/dealer). Straw purchases also occur through gun shops as well.
The majority of guns used in crimes though are from stolen sources. There was a man (Pageland SC) recently arrested an hour or two from my location a few months ago as an example, with between 7,000-10,000 stolen guns on his property and in a warehouse. Where do you think they where going, black market. Last I checked straw purchases are mostly illegal now, gun show "loopholes" are now a myth and corrected in the past. Private sales to straw purchasers (which can happen in a private sale with an unknown buyer and uncaring seller) and theft account for the vast majority of guns used illegally and in crimes.
If those of you stuck on gun shows want to actually complain about a legitimate source of easily non background checked weapon sales then bitch about online sales (and as mentioned above the mentally ill issue). I've purchased quite a few guns in the past from the gun classifieds online sites. I always require a Bill of Sale for ass coverage and prefer to deal only with CWP holders. South Carolina however requires no Bill of Sale or form of ID other than for age (which is at the discretion of the seller/buyer) or background check with these private sales at the time being as well as many other states. Some do require a Bill of Sale, it varies state to state.
I personally like it the way it is but also have to accept the times we live in now and would have no issue with background checks being required with these types of sales. BUT private or private online sales not being banned or the passing down of collectable/modern guns from a dying/deceased parent/grandparent type, generational transfer. Some want to ban both together as being similar types of transfers. My reason for liking it here as it is, is mearlly monetary, as checks cost money which has to be transferred to the sales/purchase price and you basically might as well become a FFL dealer card holder then. As I said above I would accept a change in this venue because of the current times. It is however, too easy for a bad person to purchase a gun this way. Example, I purchased a nice Mini30 with an equally nice looking Spartan stock (used by some hunters but with aftermarket stock LOOKS "Assult" type) from a local police officer a few years back, talked for a bit about trucks (he was restoring a Bronco), exchanged $ for gun and off we went. As he was leaving I asked if he wanted to do a BOS but he asked if he could snap a cell pic of my DL instead. He wasn't even going to do this until I asked when leaving. We did not know each other but through our conversation we both knew fellow coworkers at each other's jobs and I assume he assumed by studying my appearance/ demeanor etc. I was legit. No this wasn't a sting or surlvailance thing. I already knew SC gun sale laws but asked anyway just in case I had missed something recently passed and he affirmed that no BOS or transfer or check of any type is required in SC with private/online sales. There are other states with similar laws or lack of as well.
As mentioned previously, more laws (how about enforce the laws we already have as a starter), restrictions, confiscation etc. will only be adhered to by the law abiding not the criminals. Also how about a discussion geared toward the direction our society as a whole has taken over the past 30 years. Away from praise of the family unit, wholesome values etc, instead of the "Hip Hop" thug life praising culture where "heroes" held high by the media etc. are Transvestites that come out in public or publically dope smoking ex drug dealer music stars, etc. I can't even leave my kids in front of the TV these days without having to monitor what they watch....even some freaking commercials. Heck, people on the freakin Weather Channel curse left and right on some of their programming. All of this perpetuating and indoctrinating young watchers with this lack of morels type of now accepted society we currently live in that breeds the Columbine types.
As for our Aussie friends, enjoy the peace while you can (unless you where at a chocolate shop in Sydney last year). Things might be ok right now but you can't foresee the future. You have an advantage we don't have here in the U.S. that has helped prevent your country from becoming overrun with gangs, extremeists, thug culture......land locked. No adjoining countries directly importing drugs, gangs, cartels, etc. I remember not every Austrailian was enthusiastic about turning in their guns, ask the real Crocodile Dundee, oh you can't the government killed him. Like I said enjoy it while you can and truly hope it remains as it is for you guys. I need to renew my subscription to Austrailian 4X4 by the way, one issue left lol. You guys have some kick ass off-roading down there, hope to go one day.
Just wanted to steer the conversation away from a nonissue to legitimate areas of concern. Think I'll head over to Arms List for the heck of it. Saw a nice Tavor on there the other day.