I do have an issue with people, intentionally or unintentionally, misrepresenting the facts about gun laws. For instance, the statement above, "Among other things, nationwide advocates are seeking an end to the so-called “gun show loophole,” which exempts sales at gun shows from federal background checks." Is very misleading, even if their is a grain of truth behind it.
Most of the sales at gun shows are sells from licensed firearm dealers to individuals. These people do have to do background checks on their customers and their customers do have to be approved for a sale to take place. Otherwise the seller would be in violation of Federal laws and would lose their licenses and face jail time.
What the "gun show loophole" is, is when people who attend gun shows and bring their personal weapon with them to look for a buyer. They may rent a table to display their wares, or they may walk around with a rifle and a for sale sign on their shoulder. If successful, they will complete a person to person, unregulated sell, just the same as if they posted an ad to sell the gun in a newspaper, Craig's list by word of mouth, or some other source. There is nothing illegal or unusual about person to person gun sales or trades. Whether unregulated gun transfers, between individuals should be unlawful is a different question and is unrelated to my complaint. Personally, I think that gun sales between individuals should be regulated, but so far the government hasn't had the guts to do it.
The reason I quibble over the issue is the same reason that I constantly blast the NRA-ILA for publishing BS that is then picked up and spread all over the web. The truth is important, because, unless you are a Republican, you will lose credibility if you are attempting to make a point with alternative facts.
So, to sum up, the vast majority of gun sales, at gun shows, are required to do background checks.
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