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Gun groups like the National Rifle Association are right: No matter how many restrictions are imposed on firearms, many criminals will still be able to find a gun when they want one. But that doesn't mean our state should facilitate the process.
At the moment, the state government is complicit in a large number of no-questions-asked transactions at gun shows at civic centers and other public venues throughout Virginia.
By law, licensed dealers must run background checks on prospective buyers at gun shows to screen out felons and people with a documented history of mental illness.
But the shows are also open to private sellers, who aren't required by law to check the backgrounds of buyers. According to State Police estimates, 22 to 35 percent of the vendors fall into this category.
The mayors of 11 Virginia cities - including Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth and Newport News - have called on the General Assembly to close this loophole in gun show regulations. So have 49 Virginia police chiefs and, collectively, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police.
But the lawmakers, under pressure from the NRA and others, have repeatedly brushed aside appeals for change.
Earlier this year, lawmakers rejected a compromise proposed by state Sen. Creigh Deeds, now the Democratic candidate for governor. Under an amendment submitted by Deeds, the state would require background checks for all sales at gun shows but exempt private sales to buyers who possess court-approved concealed weapons permits.
Deeds' support for closing the gun show loophole cost him the backing of the NRA, which has endorsed him previously. The group is supporting Republican gubernatorial Bob McDonnell, an opponent of closing the loophole.
Whether Deeds or McDonnell ends up in the governor's office, the General Assembly would be wise to address the issue. Virginians, it appears, are quite aware of the threat that the loophole poses to public safety.
A recent poll conducted by Christopher Newport University's Judy Ford Watson Center for Public Policy showed that nearly 81 percent favor changing the law to require background checks on all sales at gun shows. Less than 17 percent said to keep the loophole.
The current law caters to a small percentage of the population who put their own personal convenience ahead of the safety of the general population. It's time for the legislature to stop easing the way for criminals to acquire guns.
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Has this loophole been linked to guns used in crimes?
If we know the percentage of gun show sales attributed to this loophole, do we also know the percentage of guns used in commission of crime that were purchased from such sales? Sales of this type happening and crimes committed because of those sales are two different things. I mean, is this a wide-spread problem?
And do gang-bangers really show up at shows in full view of such a heavily armed audience and law enforcement personnel to buy their weapons cache? Seems to me the "law abiding criminals" would go through the private seller to private buyer route, rather to risk the light of day in such a public forum. You'd think jailhouse tats would draw a little unwanted attention?
Or maybe they'd buy them on the street from other criminals. Or just steal the guns and avoid having to pay for them altogether.
Uh.... What were we talking about again?
Purchases
Most of the sales to "gang-bangers" is through the sale to "straw men", those who buy at the shows from the private dealers and re-sell in places like NY. They do not buy from licensed dealers, as their name would then be on the record, and a gun used in a crime could be traced back to them. The profits are enormous, even at gun show prices. As much as I hate to admit it, there should be traceability of firearms.
Taxes?
The same poll showed supermajority opposition to tax increases, especially gas tax increases.
Where's the editorial on that?
Brian
Cherry picking mostly. Apparently 506 people polled by a CNU is acceptable to the VP that those 506 represent the views of the commonwealth. I wonder what the reaction would be if those same 506 were asked whether they thought that most white people were racists. How ridiculus!
What a bunch of rubbish! Now
What a bunch of rubbish! Now the editorial board of the VP touts that the survey conducted by CNU's Judy Ford Watson Center for Public Policy that 506 people's opinion on everything reflects 81% of what Virginians think? This is outright crap. Just as the same poll gives Bob McDonnell a high lead in the opinion polls just not necessarily reflect ALL of Virginia. I also don't care what law enforcement thinks as I feel they would rather have me disarmed anyway and not have any means to protect myself based on their (Chesapeake and Norfolk) record of how they treat law abiding citizens. That goes for the Mayors as well. There is no loophole. This is an attempt to turn a right into a privilege.