by David Safier

Here is a transcript of a conversation between an undercover investigator buying a Sig Sauer pistol at the January 23 gun show in Phoenix and a seller:

Investigator: “So, you’re not one of those, you know, dealer guys, right?”

Seller: “No. No tax, no form, you don’t have to do transfers or nothing.”

Investigator: “Yeah, yeah.”

Seller: “Just see an Arizona ID and that’s it with me.”

Investigator: “So no background check?”

Seller: “No.”

Investigator: “That’s good, because I probably couldn’t pass one, you know what I mean?”

In two cases, investigators were able to buy guns after admitting they  couldn't pass the background check. That happens to be illegal. Though gun shows don't require background checks,

. . . it is a violation of federal law to sell guns to people if sellers suspect they are felons or mentally ill or are otherwise prohibited from buying.

Apparently the eyeball honor system doesn't work all that well.

NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is leading the charge for Mayors Against Illegal Guns, discussed the findings from the investigation of the Phoenix gun show at a news conference. You can read the entire press release after the jump.

You can also learn more at the Gunshow Undercover–Arizona website. Here is a video of one of the gun purchases by a buyer who says he would flunk a background check.

 

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