Orrin Hatch: “another issue I would like to talk about is the amendment sponsored by my colleague, Senator McCain, the so-called gun…”

“another issue I would like to talk about is the amendment sponsored by my colleague, Senator McCain, the so-called gun show loophole. Based on some of the arguments I hear made by Senator McCain and his cosponsors, it is apparent there are some misunderstandings about what gun shows are, how they operate, and existing applicable laws. Gun shows are large events that are open to the public. These events attract a broad range of people. They include collectors, hunters, target shooters, police officers, and those who serve in the Armed Forces. Gun shows are an opportunity for Americans--fathers and mothers and their sons and daughters--to pass along a family tradition. Exhibitors at these gun shows include gun dealers who are all federally licensed, as well as gun collectors, hunting guides, target shooting clubs, and vendors of books, clothing, hunting accessories, and so on. What Federal laws currently apply to gun shows? Contrary to popular opinion, there are no special exemptions for gun shows. Anyone who engages in the business of selling firearms must be licensed, regardless of where he or she does business. More specifically, there is simply no such thing as an unlicensed dealer. In fact, dealing in guns without a license is a Federal felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a substantial fine. Congress authorized licensed firearms dealers to conduct business at gun shows in 1986 under the Firearms Owner Protection Act.”