New rules receive positive review at Raleigh gun show

Raleigh, N.C. — New rules for gun shows at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds were tested for the first time Saturday, a month after three people were injured in an accidental shooting.

People with guns attending the Capital City Gun Show had to park in a designated area, use a separate entrance, remove guns from their cases and remove all magazines, bullets or shells from weapons before entering the Jim Graham Building. The show opened at 9 a.m. Saturday and will run through Sunday afternoon.

The rule changes designed to enhance safety were announced Tuesday by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

"There are going to be accidents with everything, but if we can make it safer, let's go for it," Randy Murray, of Randy's Guns, said. "Let's make it as safe as we can."

Investigators said Gary Lynn Wilson, 36, of Wilmington, brought a 12-gauge shotgun to sell at the Dixie Gun and Knife Show on Jan. 19, but the weapon went off when Wilson removed it from its case at a security checkpoint.

Three people who were hit by shotgun pellets were treated and released from a local hospital the same day. No charges were filed against Wilson in the case.

Gun owner William Purdy said Saturday the rule changes are a good thing.

"There was an obvious mishandling of weapons at the last gun show," he said. "It gives a lot us gun owners a bad name, so they go to tighten up security."

Despite January's shooting, business at the Capital City Gun Show was booming, with some vendors saying sales are up 30 to 50 percent since President Barack Obama announced his plans to curb gun violence.

Annette Elliott, a promoter for the gun show, said the events are getting a bad rap.

"If we would focus on the criminals and the mentally ill, that would eliminate (the problem)," she said. "Those folks are going to get them and abuse them no matter what."

Aside from the new regulations, security officers will continue to examine firearms at the entrance and secure them with straps and work to prevent sales in parking lots.

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" ALL transactions between a FFL dealer and purchaser require a background check. " Who said otherwise?

Prior to this article being updated, the reporter said that FFL checks were not required at gun shows. Obviously, this is incorrect. In addition, private sales are also subject to NC law that requires the person selling the gun to get the ID of the buyer, in addition to a pistol permit. There is also a bill of sale required, showing the ID's of both the seller and buyer. Does it always happen? No. Just like most people break the speed laws. I for one, would never buy a gun from a person who would not sign a bill of sale and show me their ID. I am responsible if I buy a stolen gun. And as a previous poster said, look at the violent crime rates in the UK. They are much higher than the US and much higher prior to the confiscation of guns in that country. In addition, you may want to look at the murder rates in the cities with the toughest gun laws. Not a coincidence.

kendradad
February 25, 2013 4:33 p.m.

Perhaps you could explain why in countries where guns are not generally used for personal defense the murder rate is far lower

That is so wrong, countries that have ban guns have a higher murder rate per population. yes U.S. has more murders because we have a lot larger population more cities and the crime that goes with it. But per population, England, Australia have a higher violent crime rate. Just google it, not hard to find.

lopo
February 25, 2013 3:45 p.m.

I'll comment on topic. I went to the show Saturday. Observed the checkpoint procedeures and gave them a nod. I was not bringing a firearm inside so I waltzed on in and went through the metal detector and was questioned about the contents of my shoulder bag, showed what was in it to the officer, then went right on in to the tables. I did not feel any safer with the new procedeures because I'd always felt safe on prior occasions. Some people are just plain negligent and with that accidents happen. I see it much more often by far on the highways than at gun shows.

I looked around for a few hours and found my Holy Grail to take home. :-) Looking forward to the next show.

Dave Green
February 25, 2013 3:43 p.m.

Perhaps you could explain why in countries where guns are not generally used for personal defense the murder rate is far lower but other crime rates much the same? Grand Union

Not really sure what you intended by "not generally used for personal defense", but I'll take a stab at answering your question, vague as it sounds. The answer to me lies within your question. As you stated, it's a different country, so it has a different history. The people of most other countries are historically subjects ruled by king or dictators. This shaped their mindset about authority from birth. We were born of revolution from the very powers from which you recently immigrated.

"And since you are much more likely to be killed by your own gun..." What is your source for this statement?

ripetomatoes
February 25, 2013 2:50 p.m.

" ALL transactions between a FFL dealer and purchaser require a background check. "

Who said otherwise? The gun show loophole is that a private buyer can meet a private seller and pass a gun on without any such checks. The advantage is that it brings many anonymous buyers into contact with many anonymous sellers making it easy for someone who wants a gun but might have trouble having the correct paperwork to meet someone who is more interested in the money than in who gets a gun....perhaps even a 2nd amendment "enthusiast" who thinks there should be no paperwork.....

"The "nuts" were sitting home with no way to defend themselves and believe if one is getting raped they could use a whistle, ball point pen or pee on the villain to stop his advance. "

Perhaps you could explain why in countries where guns are not generally used for personal defense the murder rate is far lower but other crime rates much the same? And since you are much more likely to be killed by your own gun......