Virginia: "Former NRA Official Endorses Gun Show Background Check Bill"

[cuchulainn]

What's a "hobby dealer"?

Former NRA Official Endorses Gun Show Background Check Bill
1/13/2003

Press Release
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence &
The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence
1023 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
www.gunfree.org

Contact:
Blaine Rummel
Phone: (202) 907-4584

Veteran Pro-Gun Lobbyist says SB 698 Brings "Basic Fairness" to Background Check System

Richmond, VA - Former National Rifle Association official, veteran pro-gun lobbyist, and Virginia resident Bob Ricker today endorsed SB 698, a proposal by State Senator Henry Marsh III (D-Richmond) to extend the state's instant background check system to all gun sales at gun shows. The State Senate Courts of Justice Committee is expected to hear the bill on January 15.

Under current state and federal law, only licensed gun dealers are required to run criminal background checks on gun purchasers. But unlicensed "hobby dealers" are not required to run a check. Experts estimate that 25% to 50% of dealers at gun shows are "hobby dealers" making gun shows vulnerable to criminals looking to get guns with no questions asked.

"Background checks protect the integrity of licensed gun dealers by ensuring only law-abiding Virginians can buy guns at gun shows," said Ricker, who is also the former lobbyist for the National Alliance of Stocking Gun Dealers. "Extending background checks to all gun sales would restore basic fairness in how these checks are administered."

Support for extending Virginia's instant background check system to all gun sales at gun shows is overwhelming--even among gun owners and NRA supporters. A recent survey found that 84% of gun owners -- and 81% of self-described NRA supporters -- favor the proposal.

"The issue of background checks on all gun show sales has been discussed ad nauseam by officials in the gun industry. Because of pressure from outside consumer groups and extremists, they remain publicly silent. But rest assured they privately support this sensible measure," said Ricker.

The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police has also endorsed SB 698.

 

[El Tejon]

Someone from the NRA endorsing "gun control"? I am SHOCKED!

 

[Shooter 2.5]

FORMER NRA OFFICIAL.
"Ricker, who is also the former lobbyist for the National Alliance of Stocking Gun Dealers. "
No surprise there.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

As Shooter 2.5 points out, this man may have a conflict of interest.

If he has represented or has dealings with FFL holders, he may believe that his interests will be served by eliminating their competition by requiring everyone to do background checks.

I have heard several gun store owners support mandatory checks on all firearms sales, at gunshows, and elsewhere.

 

[Zander]

"But unlicensed "hobby dealers" are not required to run a check."

The "fairness" crowd can't be allowed to control the lexicon. There is no such thing as an "unlicensed dealer". We own our firearms and are free to trade and sell [or buy others' firearms] as we see fit. I do hope our good neighbors in Virginia put a stop to this nonsensical infringement of property rights.

Zander...in the Free Republic of Tennessee.

 

[Mike Irwin]

If this is who I'm thinking it is, it's no surprise.

The word "former" is a good word. He was never in step with NRA to begin with.

 

[red]

If this succeeds, their next step will more than likely be one that requires FBI permission to complete all private sales between citizens. Each step leads to another one of their "loopholes".

red