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Gun Shows

Gun shows are widely attended by Americans interested in firearms for defensive purposes, hunting, sports, recreation and historical significance.

In the 1990s, gun control supporters began claiming that criminals were commonly acquiring guns at shows. However, studies by the federal government have repeatedly shown that less than one percent of state prison inmates incarcerated for gun crimes acquired their guns at shows, while most acquired guns through theft, on the black market, or from family members or friends.

In the same period, gun control supporters began pushing federal legislation to require background checks on the relatively small number of people at shows who buy guns from people who are not dealers. Now, they demand a background check for any sale, trade, gift or other transfer of any firearm, anywhere, to anyone—in some cases, including family members or friends.

NRA opposes expansion of the background check system, because criminals easily get guns by other means and because expanding the background check requirement would be a step toward transforming the background check system into a national gun registry.

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Tuesday, March 2, 2004

NRA Statement on S.1805

NRA Statement on S. 1805 from Wayne LaPierre, NRA Executive Vice President,  and Chris W.

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Wednesday, January 21, 2004

Gun Shows: An American Tradition

Gun Shows, a piece of Americana. Like boat shows, car shows and art shows, gun shows are large ...

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Monday, July 16, 2001

Americans For Gun Safety May Be The Name . . .

James L. Pate explains that AGS is an anti-gun group trying to present itself as a "moderate" alternative ...

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Tuesday, October 10, 2000

Oregon Clarification

SHORTLY AFTER THE OCTOBER 9 NRA-ILA SPECIAL OREGON FAX ALERT WAS SENT OUT, THE FOLLOWING CLARIFICATION WAS SENT ...

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Thursday, October 5, 2000

Gun Shows, Where Is The Loophole?

In November, the voters in Colorado and Oregon will vote on the issue of background checks at gun ...

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Thursday, July 20, 2000

Proposed Gun Show Ban In Fort Worth

Fort Worth, Texas, is considering a ban on gun shows. However, many local residents oppose the idea.Read Original ...

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Wednesday, February 2, 2000

Firearm Traces: The Anti-Gunners' Big Lie

Anti-gunners misrepresent BATF firearm traces to advance their gun prohibition agenda.

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Thursday, January 27, 2000

Targeting Gun Shows

By the Independence Institute`s David B. Kopel. "Close the gun show loophole" demanded Handgun Control, Inc. But many ...

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Friday, July 16, 1999

Gun Shows Under Attack By David Kopel

Kopel, of the Independence Institute, explains what gun shows are -- and aren`t -- and why anti-gun activists ...

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NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.