Reply #179: You have a lot of general ideas about this subject but no specifics [View All]

[slackmaster]

The very existence of gun shows and the prevalence of private-owners-selling-their-private-property (certainly not unlicensed gun dealers!!) indicates the problem....

Prevalence?

Do you have ANY IDEA AT ALL how many people go to gun shows to sell their personal guns?

Can you enumerate how big a problem we have with criminals buying guns from private individuals at gun shows?

If you don't have any numbers but have a general idea in your head that it's a really major problem, where did you get that idea?

...You don't have any comparable venue for "private individuals selling their private, personal property" of any other kind except guns.

Sure I do. Have you ever been to an orchid show?

A motorcycle show?

An antique show?

I'll bet a pint of Guinness you've never been to a gun show.

:toast:

This is because "private individuals" are making their living or significantly supplementing their income by selling their "private, personal property" at profiteering rates to people who don't want the background check and then buying more "private, personal property" to repeat the process.

People who sell things to make a living or supplement their income, people who sell things for a profit, are engaged in a business. They're liable for taxes on their profits, and bound by whatever other state and federal and local laws apply to that type of business activity. If that business involves selling guns and the person doesn't have an FFL, that person is committing a crime.

Let 'em sell their guns through want ads or through the internet. Fine with me. Then people who sell hundreds of guns every year as "private individuals" will get caught. They don't now.

Do you have any proof that people who engage in illegal gun dealing at gun shows don't get caught, or are you just guessing? BTW - A major gun collector may legitimately sell hundreds or thousands of guns a year perfectly legally. As long as it's not a business, no FFL is required under federal law.

Do you understand the difference between a business and a hobby?