Killer of Police Officer may have purchased a pistol at a gunshow.

[Superposed]

Channel 3 in Chattanooga is reporting that the scum that killed Sgt. Chapin may have purchased one of his firearms at a gun show. They said that RK Gun Shows is co-operating with the investigation.

[DaveTN]

And this would matter because……??

[Garufa]

And this would matter because……??

Gun shows put the anti's in a tizzy.

[Superposed]

Just reporting what I saw.

[BigK]

Yeah, the anti-gun zealots and the media WANT it to matter where the gun came from as much as how it was used. That way they can blame someone else along with the scum bag, giving them more fodder for their agenda of villainizing gun rights advocacy.

They don't believe or want to hear that a scum bag would get a gun some other way if they got their wish and stopped gun shows.

[Mike.357]

I would think it would be awful easy for the shooter to say he got it at a gun show rather than rat out his source for the gun. ( assuming it was not a gun show)

Makes no matter anyway.

[Guest RevScottie]

I'm surprised that show promoters haven't already banned private sales for fear of litigation in circumstances like this.

[Mark A]

Is he out of his coma? I haven't had time to catch up on this today...

[Jonnin]

hes a felony convict. However he got his gun, it was illegal and whoever sold it to him made a mistake. If it was a face to face, he could have lied to the person, but that does show the flaw in TN gun laws (allowing face to face trades without a check). Part of the cleanup that needs to be done is to make face to face transfers FREE at dealers or the police dpt or someplace, so the proper background check can be done for FREE to ensure that the buyer is legit. Both sides win: gun owners would appreciate free checks, and gun control freaks get to feel better that guns only change hands after a check.

If a dealer at the show sold it to him, it should be investigated. If its a face to face, nothing they can do.

[Guest bkelm18]

hes a felony convict. However he got his gun, it was illegal and whoever sold it to him made a mistake. If it was a face to face, he could have lied to the person, but that does show the flaw in TN gun laws (allowing face to face trades without a check). Part of the cleanup that needs to be done is to make face to face transfers FREE at dealers or the police dpt or someplace, so the proper background check can be done for FREE to ensure that the buyer is legit. Both sides win: gun owners would appreciate free checks, and gun control freaks get to feel better that guns only change hands after a check.

If a dealer at the show sold it to him, it should be investigated. If its a face to face, nothing they can do.

Yes great idea. Lets add even more laws to the process of acquiring a firearm.

[Mike.357]

Part of the cleanup that needs to be done is to make face to face transfers FREE at dealers or the police dpt or someplace, so the proper background check can be done for FREE to ensure that the buyer is legit

Yes more laws certainly will stop crime. Oh wait, isn't it already illegal for a felon to have a gun? Maybe they should make it mor illegal. Certainly if private sales were restricted this criminal would have never gotten a gun, Yep no one would sell to him, other criminals who steal firearms then fence them would stop stealing and selling.

And of course killing someone should be illegal too.

[Jonnin]

Yes great idea. Lets add even more laws to the process of acquiring a firearm.

Then only do the half to remove the fee so its at least a viable option to do the paperwork. Currently, its not even a realistic option to get the buyer checked out.

[Guest nicemac]

hes a felony convict. However he got his gun, it was illegal and whoever sold it to him made a mistake. If it was a face to face, he could have lied to the person, but that does show the flaw in TN gun laws (allowing face to face trades without a check). Part of the cleanup that needs to be done is to make face to face transfers FREE at dealers or the police dpt or someplace, so the proper background check can be done for FREE to ensure that the buyer is legit. Both sides win: gun owners would appreciate free checks, and gun control freaks get to feel better that guns only change hands after a check.

If a dealer at the show sold it to him, it should be investigated. If its a face to face, nothing they can do.

And while the buyer was in the store, he may pick up some accessories, ammo, etc…

Background checks are free in Kentucky.

[Jonnin]

My point was, it could have been you that sold it to him, or me, or anyone. Not a fence, or a crook, just another guy here who took a trip to the show, sold his gun to another guy face to face as is often done. What if it had been then you saw his picture on the web, and it was YOUR gun that did it? And the reason for the whole mess? $50 in fees from the FFL and BG check.

Would a change stop theives, fences, and such? Of course not. But it would be a tool to allow folks to do a sale with more confidence. That is all I was really getting at.

[Guest nicemac]

My point was, it could have been you that sold it to him, or me, or anyone. Not a fence, or a crook, just another guy here who took a trip to the show, sold his gun to another guy face to face as is often done. What if it had been then you saw his picture on the web, and it was YOUR gun that did it? And the reason for the whole mess? $50 in fees from the FFL and BG check.

Would a change stop theives, fences, and such? Of course not. But it would be a tool to allow folks to do a sale with more confidence. That is all I was really getting at.

I sold an evil black rifle Tuesday. Met the guy in Academy Sports parking lot. I am nervous at times when buying/ selling things on Craigslist, on here, etc… you just never know who is going to show up. The guy could show up with three friends, ambush me, and just take the rifle. I figured a very public place (Cool Springs) would be good, and Academy is (somewhat) gun-friendly.

[Guest Jamie]

My point was, it could have been you that sold it to him, or me, or anyone. Not a fence, or a crook, just another guy here who took a trip to the show, sold his gun to another guy face to face as is often done. What if it had been then you saw his picture on the web, and it was YOUR gun that did it? And the reason for the whole mess? $50 in fees from the FFL and BG check.

Would a change stop theives, fences, and such? Of course not. But it would be a tool to allow folks to do a sale with more confidence. That is all I was really getting at.

It's not like you can have any sort of control over anything after you sell it... It's up to the buyer as to how they use it. So in that regard, it doesn't matter to me if it were "my" gun or not, since it's the behavior ( murdering people )that's the problem, not the object ( whatever weapon is used ).

Funny, but you never hear anyone screaming for background checks or tighter controls of motor vehicle sales, after someone gets drunk and kills a pedestrian while driving. No one is obligated - not even a car dealership - to check and see if a person has any DUI offenses on their record before they can buy a car... So why should it be any different with a gun?

[DaveTN]

My point was, it could have been you that sold it to him, or me, or anyone.

What if it was? I don’t have the ability to do a background check. It would suck knowing that I sold a gun to someone that committed murder; but I wouldn’t be worried about getting in trouble. Other than giving the anti-gun people something to whine about I don’t know why any of this matters. He could have bought off this forum.

I know a lot of people get excited with talk of requiring background checks on private sales. I don’t care one way or the other if I don’t have to pay for it, but criminals will always be able to get guns. And shooting people is already against the law.

[G27]

My point was, it could have been you that sold it to him, or me, or anyone. Not a fence, or a crook, just another guy here who took a trip to the show, sold his gun to another guy face to face as is often done. What if it had been then you saw his picture on the web, and it was YOUR gun that did it? And the reason for the whole mess? $50 in fees from the FFL and BG check.

Would a change stop theives, fences, and such? Of course not. But it would be a tool to allow folks to do a sale with more confidence. That is all I was really getting at.

Seriously - you think more laws that act as controls for law abiding citizens is the answer?

I suppose you think that if we banned guns outright there'd be no gun crime, too...

[RobertNashville]

hes a felony convict. However he got his gun, it was illegal and whoever sold it to him made a mistake. If it was a face to face, he could have lied to the person, but that does show the flaw in TN gun laws (allowing face to face trades without a check). Part of the cleanup that needs to be done is to make face to face transfers FREE at dealers or the police dpt or someplace, so the proper background check can be done for FREE to ensure that the buyer is legit. Both sides win: gun owners would appreciate free checks, and gun control freaks get to feel better that guns only change hands after a check.

If a dealer at the show sold it to him, it should be investigated. If its a face to face, nothing they can do.

You know...I used to think exactly the same way...that background checks were "good"...that ALL firearm transactions (be it a dealer or private party transaction) should go through a background check and that if we simply did more background checks it would help reduce the chance of criminals getting guns (or at least being able to buy them without a background check). I even argued with other "gun folks" about the issue.

I'm glad to say that after a good deal of though and re-evaluation; I realized how absolutely WRONG I was for thinking that way (I must say, it was quite a shock to me to discover that I was wrong on this because I so rarely am wrong about anything).

This is one of those subjects where something that can sound perfectly logical and "right" is actually completely illogical and "wrong" - so, I invite you to really consider this issue and your current stand...you may come to the same realization that I did!

Edited April 7, 2011 by RobertNashville

[Guest RevScottie]

What if it was? I don’t have the ability to do a background check.

But you DO have the ability to ask to see proof of Tennessee residence which I doubt this guy had.

[Jonnin]

Ok when people resort to putting words into my mouth the discussion ends for me. You guys go ahead and talk for me if you like.

[G27]

[Guest Jamie]

Ok when people resort to putting words into my mouth the discussion ends for me.

Well I'll bite... what words were put in your mouth? The only ones I saw that were attributed to you were the ones in your own posts.

So unless somebody has taken over your keyboard...

You guys go ahead and talk for me if you like.

Ooo ooo.... can we stick our hands up the back of your shirt and make your lips and eyes move too???

Seriously, maybe you're too "sensitive" for this whole internet business...

[Guest RevScottie]

Is there any legal penalty for selling a firearm to a felon? I'm sure no one would ever admit to it so the defense would be "I had no way of knowing".

[Guest bkelm18]

Is there any legal penalty for selling a firearm to a felon? I'm sure no one would ever admit to it so the defense would be "I had no way of knowing".

If they can prove you knew, then yes, a big one. If they can't prove you knew, then no.