Law enforcementArizona lawmaker tries to close gun show loophole
Arizona state senator Steve Gallardo is introducing a bill to close Arizona’s gun show loophole; currently sellers at gun shows are not required to conduct background checks before selling weapons to individuals; a recent sting operation, led by New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, revealed that sellers at a Phoenix gun show sold weapons to under-cover investigators after the investigators declared that they could not pass a background check; federal laws prohibit individuals from selling weapons to people that they suspect could not pass a background check; terrorists and weapons smugglers often exploit this loophole to obtain weapons; the bill is likely to face opposition from pro-gun advocates like Arizona governor Jan Brewer
Gun show display // Source: blogspot.com
Arizona state senator Steve Gallardo (D – Phoenix) is launching an uphill battle to close Arizona’s gun show loophole.
Gallardo has introduced SB 1586 which would require sellers to conduct a background check before selling weapons to an individual at a gun show.
The bill comes on the heels of an investigation led by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg which revealed that undercover agents were able to purchase weapons, despite clearly announcing that they could not pass background checks. Current laws do not require sellers at gun shows to conduct background checks, but dealers are forbidden to sell weapons to individuals who they believe would not pass a background check due to mental instability or a criminal record.
Only weeks after the deadly shooting in Arizona that left six dead and Congresswoman Giffords in critical condition, investigators purchased three handguns and extended capacity magazines like those used in the attack.
In two instances, investigators openly stated, “I probably couldn’t pass a background check.”
The proposed bill has yet to be assigned to a committee and will likely face staunch opposition.
In response to the investigation, Arizona governor Jan Brewer defended the state’s current gun laws stating, “We believe our laws are fair and just in the state of Arizona.”
Brewer added, “I am a strong proponent of the Second Amendment,” and is open to expanding that right further.
Last year she signed legislation that would allow any individual to carry a concealed weapon without a permit, training, or background check.
Legislators are currently debating SB 1201, which would allow an individual to carry a gun into any government building and sue if they are illegally stopped from carrying it into the building.
The gun show loophole has been exploited by criminals and terrorists who seek to obtain weapons, but would fail a background check.
In a statement, Mayor Bloomberg said “We have demonstrated how easy it is for anyone to buy a semiautomatic handgun and a high-capacity magazine, no questions asked.”
Several instances of terrorists purchasing weapons at gun shows have been noted in addition to weapons smugglers who send firearms to Mexican drug cartels.
In 2000, Ali Boumelhem was arrested for shipping weapons and ammunition to Hezbollah.
Federal agents observed Boumelhem and his brother attending gun shows and purchasing weapons to be shipped overseas. They had amassed an arsenal of shotguns, assault weapons, and hundreds of round of ammunition.
In support of his bill, Gallardo said, “This is a problem that’s crying out for a solution.”
While in the State House, Gallardo attempted to pass a similar bill but failed.
“I understand it’s going to be an uphill battle,” but “I think most importantly we’ll continue to educate the public,” he said.
