News

Actions

Obama expected to change gun show sales policy

Posted
and last updated

President Barack Obama is expected to issue an executive orderrequiring background checks for anyone "in the business" of selling firearms.

It's seen as an effort to close the "gun show loophole."

However, if that happens there could be potential challenges.

Advertisements in the metro claim "Missouri's largest gun show," and "The Mega Gun Show" in Overland Park to take place early next month.

It's around the same time President Obama is set to issue the executive order.

Issuing background checks is something licensed dealers, like Show Me Shooters in Claycomo, already do.

"If you go to a gun show and buy a gun, you're going to fill out the same federal documents you do here. At a gun show, you may run into an individual who wants to sell a gun," explained firearms instructor Don Pind.

An individual selling a gun doesn't have to run a background check.

It's something Pind said would be difficult to change.

"To change the gun law where every individual selling a gun it would be like you as an individual, I want to sell my car. You have to sell it to a car dealership. Well, the car dealership wants to make some money at it, so you're not going to get top dollar."

Research from the Harvard School of Public Health estimates 40 percent of all gun transfers occur without a background check.

"How would you find out who the individual was? There is no restriction. See here, we get inspected. We get inspected usually once a year. Individuals there would be no way of doing it," said Pind.

The president is expected to define who's "in the business" of selling firearms soon after New Years Day.

--------

Shannon Halligan can be reached at shannon.halligan@kshb.com.

Follow her on Twitter

Connect on Facebook