Angie Craig: “we have just heard an explanation as to why we ought to change a law on gun commerce in this country. It has largely…”

“we have just heard an explanation as to why we ought to change a law on gun commerce in this country. It has largely been touted as a loophole. My contention this afternoon and my contention has always been that there is not a loophole because if there is one, it exists outside of gun shows if it exists inside of gun shows. Gun shows are, in fact, a mirror image of gun commerce in this country. An individual can sell a gun without a federally licensed firearm permit to do so, but if he or she is in the business of selling guns, then they have to have that license. It is also true in gun shows. When you walk through the door of a gun show, the law has not changed nor does it change. But under the McCain- Reed amendment, they are suggesting it should change and that this particular cloistered environment of a gun show ought to be something new and different. We have heard the explanation. Let me attempt to set the record straight this afternoon because it is important we understand that an attempt is being made to set a whole new tranche of Federal regulations against what has historically been U.S. commerce that was legal and law- abiding.”