Background checks at gun shows (ME)

[davepc]

Rep. Anna Blodgett, D-Augusta, just a few months into her first legislative session, is taking on a big issue: background checks at gun shows.

Blodgett is sponsoring LD 814, which would require anyone selling weapons at gun shows to do an instant background check.

Apparently, federal law requires licensed firearm dealers who sell at retail stores to do background checks, but those who sell at gun shows don't have to, according to the House Majority Office.

"This is a matter of fairness," Blodgett said in a statement. "We cannot hold licensed gun dealers to one standard and sellers at gun shows to another. If there is a standard in place, it should apply to everybody."

...

http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/blogs/politics/040217.html

[ManiacJoe]

1. They may have some logistical problems with this.

Dealers have to do the NICS check on every sale, regardless of geographic location.

Unless the laws have changed recently, non-dealers are prohibited from using the NICS check, regardless of geographic location.

Since the prohibited buyers are the same for both the dealers and the non-dealers, it would be easier for the non-dealers if the NICS checks were available to them.

[Hangingon]

2. What is new with t5his?

The dealers at the gun shows here do background checks before a sale. The supposed "gun show loophole" that involves no background checks is a transaction between two private individuals = no dealers.