Vast Majority of Virginians Support Closing Gun Show Loophole, Says Poll

Oct 19, 2009

Washington, D.C. - A new poll says 80 percent of likely voters in Virginia support closing the gun show loophole.  Virginians from across the state, of all ages, ethnicities, and political leanings support requiring background checks on all gun purchases at gun show.  The survey was conducted October 8 -13 by Christopher Newport University, in conjunction with the Virginian-Pilot newspaper and WVEC-TV.
 
In Virginia, along with many other states, individuals are able to purchase firearms without a Brady background check from so-called ‘private sellers’ at gun shows.  This means that convicted felons, domestic violence abusers, and those who are dangerously mentally ill can walk into gun shows and buy weapons from unlicensed sellers without being stopped, no questions asked.  In the current gubernatorial race in Virginia, Democrat Creigh Deeds supports closing the gun show loophole, while Republican Bob McDonnell does not.

“This poll shows that while politicians still debate and delay, the public has concluded that closing the gun show loophole is a sensible and necessary step that will help keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people and make us all safer,” said Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.  “Virginia politicians should listen to their constituents and close the gun show loophole now.”

Helmke added: “Bob McDonnell is out of touch with what Virginians think about this issue.  While an overwhelming majority of his fellow Virginians want to close the gun show loophole, McDonnell refuses to acknowledge that this gaping loophole in Virginia gun laws exists.  Creigh Deeds agrees with the voters in Viginia, including the families of the victims of Virginia Tech, that the most dangerous people, prohibited by law from purchasing guns from federally licensed gun dealers, shouldn’t be able to get around those laws by buying them from non-licensed gun sellers at gun shows.”

To read more about the survey: http://hamptonroads.com/2009/10/tighten-gun-rules-most-respondents-say-poll.

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As the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies. The Brady Campaign is devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.

For continuing insight and comment on the gun issue, read Paul Helmke's blog at www.bradycampaign.org/blog/. Visit the Brady Campaign website at www.bradycampaign.org.