Myths and Facts About Gun Safety

How can we reduce gun crime and gun violence, without infringing on the rights of law-abiding gun owners? In the cross-fire of competing claims, sometimes it's hard to separate the myths from the facts.

•  Do criminals really get guns at gun shows?

•  Will background checks put gun shows out of business?

•  Do background checks prevent legitimate sales?

•  Will background checks really deter criminals?

•  Are sales by unlicensed dealers really that common?

•  Will background checks overwhelm gun show operators?

 

According to federal law enforcement, gun shows are the second leading source of illegal firearms recovered in gun trafficking investigations.

It's important to remember that gun shows themselves are not the problem. The problem is the lack of background checks for best gun safe purchases. Fast, accurate background checks will keep criminals out of gun shows and preserve this unique American tradition for collectors, hunters, and enthusiasts.

 

Of the five states that host the most gun shows, three states—Pennsylvania, Illinois, and California—have already closed the gun-show loophole. Pennsylvania, which is second only to Texas in the number of gun shows it hosts, has required background checks for years.

95% of all background checks are completed within two hours and most are completed within two minutes. Only about one in thirty background checks lasts more than a day and these checks are the most likely to uncover felons.

States that have closed the gun show loophole have effectively thwarted criminals, and those that have not continue to attract illegal gun runners. For example, Pennsylvania and Illinois rank second and fourth in the number of gun shows in America but rank 15th and 18th in the number of crime gun exports to other states, in part because background checks are required at gun shows. Texas and Florida, which have not closed the gun show loophole and rank first and third in the number of gun shows, rank fourth and first in the number of crime gun exports to other states.

 

Up to 25% of the gun sellers at gun shows are not federally licensed gun dealers and therefore do not have to comply with the federal Brady Law that requires background checks

 

There are more than 4,000 gun shows each year and the typical gun show operator organizes as many as 25 gun shows a year, sells space to between 500 and 1,000 vendors each weekend, and charges admission to thousands of patrons. An average gun show will gross $50,000 in a weekend before a single gun is sold.