“Arizonans call for closure of ‘gun show loophole'”

by David Safier

This from the Arizona Senate Democratic Caucus:

Arizonans call for closure of “gun show loophole”

STATE CAPITOL, Phoenix – Sen. Steve Gallardo, Arizonans for Guns Safety, gunshot survivors, medical professionals and community leaders will hold a news conference to call for the closure of the “gun show loophole” on Tuesday, Feb. 1 at noon in Senate Hearing Room 1.

On Monday, Gallardo introduced legislation to close the “gun show loophole” by requiring a background check for all sales and transfers taking place at a gun show. A violation of the law is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $10,000.

Current law prohibits vendors from selling weapons to buyers who they believe are prohibited from legally purchasing a weapon. It was reported in Monday’s New York Times that undercover investigators attending an Arizona gun show Jan. 23 were allowed to purchase weapons despite telling sellers that they could not pass a background check.

Gallardo’s bill would eliminate the guessing game by requiring a background check for all purchases and transfers.

More on this after Tuesday's news conference.