Ohio ranks among the top 10 sources of guns recovered from crimes.

[Kolesar]

Activists demand background checks for all Ohio gun show sales

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/08/activists_demand_background_ch.html

Federally licensed gun dealers are required to run criminal background checks on buyers. However, private unlicensed sellers, who operate at gun shows or flea markets with no established place of business, can sell firearms without the checks.

According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, 30 percent of guns involved in federal illegal gun trafficking investigations are connected to gun shows.

A 2007 U.S. Department of Justice report revealed that about 5,000 guns used in crimes in 2006 were traced to gun sales in Ohio. And the state ranks among the top 10 sources of guns recovered from crimes.

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The three day waiting period for making a purchase is a better idea yet. Nobody who is interested in a quality weapon or collectors' firearm would be inconvenienced by having to wait three more days.

[SteveM]

1. Whatever sticks to the wall? On "three day waiting period..."

Why is this a better idea? How does it affect crime or any other social ill? Is there evidence such a "wait" will help matters out? How? You may find that the Center for Disease Control has determined that "gun intervention" strategies, including waiting periods, have not been shown to have any effect on crime rates or on any of the other social ills cataloged by gun-control advocates.

Concerning gun shows. The fact is, "gun shows" are rent-a-halls. The fact is, the NICS bg check is not required of individuals, whether selling a shotgun over the kitchen table or at a rent-a-hall; in fact, an individual CANNOT access the NICS system.

If you want EVERYONE who sells a gun to go through a NICS test, then make a proposal, keeping in mind that any law in this regard is probably a state matter (FFL licensees are regulated by the feds because they are federal). If individuals do not want to go through a NICS test at a gun show, they will sell their guns elsewhere -- over the kitchen table, at an abandoned used car lot, out of a car trunk.

Keep in mind that cops usually have a big presence at gun shows because the more stupid thugs try to make straw purchases there and are more readily arrested. Which is why crims who use guns get them elsewhere.

The article says: "30 percent of guns involved in federal illegal gun trafficking investigations are connected to gun shows."
Well, 100% are connected with original sales to licensed dealers. What does the "30 percent" figure mean? That they were directly purchased there, or were bought by lawful citizens who sold them later to someone, to someone, to someone?

It would have been helpful if the newspaper had interviewed pro-2A groups, and not merely the gun-control group.

[Kolesar]

4. Ohio is a nice place to visit

Museums, natural attractions, and the people are friendly. Visit Ohio some time

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

2. Not a very good article.

The suppositions lack evidence and the logic is tenuous at best when cross-examined.

[Kolesar]

3. I know you're not happy, but your critique is pretty blank itself...eom