The word "loophole" really gets most people's goat so to speak. The vast majority of you, us, whatever saying there is no such thing. For my own clarification this stems from the fact that you (as long as your state legally allows it) can sell your firearms in private pretty much anywhere in your state without having to conduct a background check or fill out forms.... thusly it's legal at gunshows therefor no loophole, correct?
I'm wondering, is there any place where this "loophole" is underfire to be eliminated where the debate runs over into other places, like say your living room or local Kiwanis meeting?
I only ask because I have never heard of it being brought up by anti-gun groups or legislators to include any sales outside of gun shows. I have seen several occasions where people said to the effect that how can you close this mythical "loophole" when no one but FFLs are allowed to conduct background checks. Here in Illinois they passed laws about five years ago to close our "gunshow loophole".
http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=3&RecNum=4183
It allows non-licensend sellers to conduct a background check through the State Police. They call it in and either get a "no-go" or an authorization number to proceed. Does anybody live anywhere where they too have a law passed insisting on background checks at gunshows but yet furnish no method to do so? That would be kinda crazy eh?
By the way, I came across this definiton of loophole on the princeton.edu site,
•S: (n) loophole (an ambiguity (especially one in the text of a law or contract) that makes it possible to evade a difficulty or obligation)
Thought that was kind of interesting...
What if another word was chosen or even made up... I dunno, say something like the gunshow farkle.
What's a farkle? definition:Farkle (n) a method to break existing laws whereas nobody knows a violation has taken place except for that person breaking the law.
Mind you farkles can take place anywhere not just gunshows. So in my state it's legal to do face to face sales... the tick being that it's my obligation to believe that there is no reason for you to not be legally able to own my gun. You're a clean cut individual, polite, nice car and I ask you, "are you legally able to own my gun?" Smiling, you respond, "indeed, never did a bad thing in my life, never even gotten a speeding ticket." I have no reason to not believe you and I certainly had no idea you were on the FBI's ten most wanted list, I haven't stepped foot in a Post Office in over ten years. I just got farkled.
Oh here's one for you, here in Illinois you have to have a Firearms Owner Identification Card (the FOID) to buy, sell or possess any firearm. You get this card by applying to the State Police and a background check is done. Lot's of people complain about it but maybe I have fallen into the brainwashed sheeple pool or something but I kind of like it. You want to buy my gun? You have your FOID card? I write down the number and info and keep a record of it for the required ten years and never worry about that ten most wanted list thing. Interestingly... this "gunshow loophole thingy" we got closed here because of all the criminals buying guns.... I have been to gun shows in close to tweny different cities in this state and at not one of them was I even allowed to pick a gun up off a table, and it some cases even get in the door without first showing my FOID card. For the life of me I don't know how them criminals were doing it!
My mind is starting to wander even more so. so I will wrap this up. I guess I am wondering why, even after reading all the posts in this thread I should be upset about this loophole thing, imagined or real. I mean I read all your opinions on why it's bogus, maybe I'm not worthy enough for the "cause". Afterall, I live in Illinois, Chicago even.... forgive me?
Steve