CLOSE VIRGINIA'S GUN SHOW LOOPHOLE
Target:
Virginia General Assembly
In Virginia, licensed gun dealers (known as Federal Firearms Licensees, or FFLs) are required to conduct a criminal background check on each and every individual they sell a gun to. However, due to a loophole in federal and state law, unlicensed sellers are also allowed to sell firearms at Virginia gun shows without conducting background checks on purchasers. The Virginia State Police report that between 22 and 35 percent of the firearms sellers at Virginia gun shows do not possess an FFL and are not required by law to perform background checks. This dangerous gun show loophole allows criminals and other prohibited purchasers to obtain firearms without any paper trail or accountability.
Find out more on these sites:
Find out more on these sites:
In Virginia, licensed gun dealers (known as Federal Firearms Licensees, or FFLs) are required to conduct a criminal background check on each and every individual they sell a gun to. However, due to a loophole in federal and state law, unlicensed sellers are also allowed to sell firearms at Virginia gun shows without conducting background checks on purchasers. The Virginia State Police report that between 22 and 35 percent of the firearms sellers at Virginia gun shows do not possess an FFL and are not required by law to perform background checks. This dangerous gun show loophole allows criminals and other prohibited purchasers to obtain firearms without any paper trail or accountability.
Find out more on these sites:
Find out more on these sites:
We, the undersigned, urge you to pass legislation during the current legislative session to close the gun show loophole in Virginia.
We know that background checks work. In 2005, the Virginia State Police reported that background checks by licensed dealers prevented 2,668 illegal gun transactions in Virginia. It is time to extend background checks to all gun sales in Virginia so that we can be certain that those buying guns in the Commonwealth are indeed "law-abiding citizens." This is the minimum that we should do to honor not only those lost at Virginia Tech, but also the 800 other Virginians lost to gun violence every year.
Governor Kaine's Executive Order No. 50 was important and praiseworthy, but additional measures are necessary to prevent dangerous individuals from purchasing firearms in the Commonwealth. Passing legislation to require background checks on all firearms sales at gun shows is a good, common-sense next step to protect public safety in Virginia.
We know that background checks work. In 2005, the Virginia State Police reported that background checks by licensed dealers prevented 2,668 illegal gun transactions in Virginia. It is time to extend background checks to all gun sales in Virginia so that we can be certain that those buying guns in the Commonwealth are indeed "law-abiding citizens." This is the minimum that we should do to honor not only those lost at Virginia Tech, but also the 800 other Virginians lost to gun violence every year.
Governor Kaine's Executive Order No. 50 was important and praiseworthy, but additional measures are necessary to prevent dangerous individuals from purchasing firearms in the Commonwealth. Passing legislation to require background checks on all firearms sales at gun shows is a good, common-sense next step to protect public safety in Virginia.
We signed the "CLOSE VIRGINIA'S GUN SHOW LOOPHOLE" petition!
# 379:
9:30 am PDT, Jun 23,
Colin Goddard, Virginia
# 378:
5:37 am PDT, Jun 13,
Name not displayed, New Zealand
# 377:
7:25 pm PDT, May 26,
Damion Fields, Connecticut
# 376:
9:11 am PDT, May 19,
Doug American, North Carolina
I feel sorry for the whole lot of you who are willing to just roll over and become victims! If I were teaching at VT, I can tell you there would not have been nearly as many killed, I could and would have personnely arranged the the meeting of the shooter and his maker!!! Because I live in a free God loving contry and do have the right to bare arms, which I do 99% of the time. YOU can be a victim I will remain an armed Amarican!
I feel sorry for the whole lot of you who are willing to just roll over and become victims! If I were teaching at VT, I can tell you there would not have been nearly as many killed, I could and would have personnely arranged the the meeting of the shooter and his maker!!! Because I live in a free God loving contry and do have the right to bare arms, which I do 99% of the time. YOU can be a victim I will remain an armed Amarican!
# 375:
6:58 am PDT, May 12,
Name not displayed, Virginia
To this day thinking about Virginia Tech brings tears. My child lived through, survived and graduated from VT. Only you can your child's advocate.
To this day thinking about Virginia Tech brings tears. My child lived through, survived and graduated from VT. Only you can your child's advocate.
# 374:
6:08 am PDT, May 1,
Name not displayed, Australia
I am more than happy to help fight to stop people carrying guns. Every day citizens have no need to carry a gun. Doesn't it tell you something when countries like America, where guns are so freely available, that there are so many shootings. In Australia, it's extremely unusual to own a gun unless you are a police officer or farmer (though few farmers would own one either). Guns very rarely get mentioned and as you would know, shootings in Australia are also very rare. Being able to get guns so easily makes me feel sick to my stomach, even more so that so many Americans seem to think it's a good idea... have they lost their minds!
I am more than happy to help fight to stop people carrying guns. Every day citizens have no need to carry a gun. Doesn't it tell you something when countries like America, where guns are so freely available, that there are so many shootings. In Australia, it's extremely unusual to own a gun unless you are a police officer or farmer (though few farmers would own one either). Guns very rarely get mentioned and as you would know, shootings in Australia are also very rare. Being able to get guns so easily makes me feel sick to my stomach, even more so that so many Americans seem to think it's a good idea... have they lost their minds!
# 373:
7:25 am PDT, Apr 23,
Laurie Jones, Washington D.C.
# 372:
6:29 pm PDT, Apr 22,
Haley Flanagan, Virginia
# 371:
11:10 am PDT, Apr 21,
Amber Smith, Virginia
# 370:
8:35 am PDT, Apr 21,
Nick Gehringer, Maryland
# 369:
9:33 pm PDT, Apr 20,
Charley Hooper, Canada
# 368:
2:06 pm PDT, Apr 19,
Heather Wrenn, Virginia
As a Virginia resident my entire life and friend too many VT students that were affected by the tragedy I am very concerned about this loophole. I am scared to know that firearms can so easily be purchased and I am committed to supporting the effort to close this loophole for good!
As a Virginia resident my entire life and friend too many VT students that were affected by the tragedy I am very concerned about this loophole. I am scared to know that firearms can so easily be purchased and I am committed to supporting the effort to close this loophole for good!
# 367:
9:15 am PDT, Apr 16,
82hokie Fleet, Virginia
A waiting period should apply to ALL gun purchases.
A waiting period should apply to ALL gun purchases.
# 366:
8:11 pm PDT, Apr 15,
Jessica Navas, New York
# 365:
7:15 pm PDT, Apr 15,
Name not displayed, Virginia
# 364:
7:11 pm PDT, Apr 15,
Lisa Hamilton, Virginia
# 363:
11:25 am PDT, Apr 15,
Alicia Kachadourian, New York
Just recently on April 4, 2009 in the town of Binghamton NY, a man went into the civic center shot 13 innocent people and then himself. One of the victims was a devoted educator and community service provider, Mrs. Roberta King. This note is in honor of her and the other 13 victims.
Just recently on April 4, 2009 in the town of Binghamton NY, a man went into the civic center shot 13 innocent people and then himself. One of the victims was a devoted educator and community service provider, Mrs. Roberta King. This note is in honor of her and the other 13 victims.
# 362:
1:05 pm PDT, Apr 13,
Kris Favreaux, Virginia
when loopholes like this deteriorate the fabric of our most basic rights, to life, comfort and safety it is inherently unconstitutional and must be changed. we must stop sacrificing inalienable rights to cater to special interest groups who can not see that they support massacre on a daily basis, and for what? the comfort that a gun can compensate for their cowardice?
when loopholes like this deteriorate the fabric of our most basic rights, to life, comfort and safety it is inherently unconstitutional and must be changed. we must stop sacrificing inalienable rights to cater to special interest groups who can not see that they support massacre on a daily basis, and for what? the comfort that a gun can compensate for their cowardice?
# 361:
12:27 pm PDT, Apr 13,
Name not displayed, Virginia
This gun show loophole is a disgrace!!
This gun show loophole is a disgrace!!
# 360:
8:44 am PDT, Apr 13,
Daniel Regan, Illinois
I support the second amendment...i dont support police being out gunned, students being gunned down like fish in a barrel, and ignorant fools who think a gun is acceptable in the civilized worled!
I support the second amendment...i dont support police being out gunned, students being gunned down like fish in a barrel, and ignorant fools who think a gun is acceptable in the civilized worled!
# 359:
8:52 pm PDT, Apr 12,
Rosemary Gallant, Armed Forces Pacific
I am a Virginia taxpayer and resident although I am posted overseas for the government. It is almost impossible to explain events like Virginia Tech to people from other countries. We need to close this loophole to prevent further tragedies.
I am a Virginia taxpayer and resident although I am posted overseas for the government. It is almost impossible to explain events like Virginia Tech to people from other countries. We need to close this loophole to prevent further tragedies.
# 358:
6:21 pm PDT, Apr 12,
Sara Hagigh, Washington D.C.
# 357:
5:08 pm PDT, Apr 12,
Catherine Vial, Washington D.C.
# 356:
8:14 pm PDT, Apr 11,
Liz Talbot, Connecticut
# 355:
6:44 pm PDT, Apr 11,
Richard Gruberg, Maryland
The best way to put pressure on the state legislature is to hit them in the pocketbook. If you live outside Virginia, do not consider sending your children to a state-run Virginia university until this loophole is closed.
The best way to put pressure on the state legislature is to hit them in the pocketbook. If you live outside Virginia, do not consider sending your children to a state-run Virginia university until this loophole is closed.
# 354:
9:38 pm PDT, Apr 10,
Robert Thompson, New Mexico
# 353:
7:47 pm PDT, Apr 10,
Genevieve Marchand, Minnesota
# 352:
9:28 pm PDT, Apr 5,
Rebecca Lawrence, Virginia
There are many rights we need to protect in our country, but the right to buy a gun at a gun show is not a freedom we are handling responsibly.
There are many rights we need to protect in our country, but the right to buy a gun at a gun show is not a freedom we are handling responsibly.
# 351:
4:43 pm PDT, Mar 9,
Liz Bishop-Goldsmith, New York
Closing the federal and state loopholes that permit those without background checks from purchasing firearms will save many lives. Unlicensed sellers must not be permitted to sell any weapon at gun shows or otherwise. To do so is criminal, and they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law - because they are in fact committing a criminal act.
Closing the federal and state loopholes that permit those without background checks from purchasing firearms will save many lives. Unlicensed sellers must not be permitted to sell any weapon at gun shows or otherwise. To do so is criminal, and they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law - because they are in fact committing a criminal act.
